Football Superstar Training System

Chapter 130 We still have Gerald!
At four o'clock in the afternoon on August 26th, Liverpool's first home game of the new season began. Anfield became lively again after a summer of silence, and the more than 4 seats in the stadium were already full of fans.

The KOP stand is the gathering place for Liverpool's most loyal fans, and it also has the best atmosphere in the entire stadium. In the stands that can accommodate more than 1 people, the most enthusiastic KOPs are singing the team song "You will never walk alone", and they are cheering for the team with the most powerful cheering voice.

Today is a difficult battle, the focus of the second round of the Premier League, Liverpool will play against Manchester City at home.In the middle of the week before this, Liverpool also played a Europa League play-off match against the Scottish club Hearts (PS: Liverpool needs to participate in the play-offs to compete for a qualification for the Europa League, which I have revised in the previous chapter). Liverpool, who played as a substitute, defeated the opponent 1-0 at Hearts' home court. The goal came from Hearts player Webster's own goal.

Even if the main force is not affected by physical fitness, Liverpool is playing at home, but facing the powerful Blue Moon Army, Rogers' team is not favored.Even though Manchester City has not tasted a victory at Anfield for 2003 and a half years since the 5-3 victory over Liverpool on May 2, 1, the English media are generally optimistic that Mancini can break the club's spell at Anfield today.

At the press conference before the game, Mancini also expressed his victory speech to the cameras of the news media: "We are confident that we can beat Liverpool at Anfield. It's time for the club to break the curse of being invincible in the away game against Liverpool. Liverpool's strength is not enough to compete with us, Lin? Suarez? Look, they have no chance to perform today, and the victory must belong to us in the end!"

Kompany, the captain of Manchester City and the core of the defense, also said confidently: "I watched Liverpool's last game. I know that Lin's breakthrough ability is first-rate, but it doesn't matter. I can defend him. This is the confidence and strength I should have. I can't wait to see how Lin can get past me, provided he can get past me!"

Since it was a battle of words before the game, Rodgers would naturally not concede half a point. He said: "Manchester City is the defending champion, and their strength is strong, but now Liverpool is no less inferior to any Premier League team. Why do you only care about Lin and Suarez? We have other excellent players, Gerrard, Sterling, Skrtel and all other Liverpool players are also top-notch players."

"I don't care about spells, but it's important to remember that this is Anfield!"

Captain Gerrard also said: "Maybe Mancini will only care about our offensive end, that would be great. After the game is over, he will also know that we are not only the players on the front line who have the ability to score goals."

……

In Liverpool's lineup, the strength of Manchester City prevented Rogers from trying any other formations. He used the team's most conventional 4-2-3-1 formation that he is good at. The 22-year-old Argentine defender Coates replaced the starting defender Agger who was suspended due to a red card in the previous round. Downing returned to the bench to stand by. Sterling returned to the starting lineup on the striker. The other players remained unchanged.

Goalkeeper: Reina.

Linebackers: Glenn Johnson, Coates, Skrtel, Martin Kelly.

Back midfielder: Lucas, Joe Allen.

Midfield: Sterling, Gerrard, Lin Tian.

Center forward: Suarez.

For Manchester City, Mancini has a 4-4-2 formation, but compared with the last round against Southampton, there are 5 changes in the starting lineup. On the back line, Kolo Toure and Kolarov replaced Lescott and Clichy respectively.In midfield, De Jong replaced Rodwell and Milner replaced Silva.Up front, the injured Aguero truce, Balotelli debut partner Carlos Tevez.

Goalkeeper: Joe Hart.

Defenders: Kolarov, Kompany, Kolo Toure, Zabaleta.

Midfielders: Nasri, Yaya Toure, De Jong, Milner.

Forwards: Balotelli, Carlos Tevez.

……

Rogers is standing in the coach's area, watching every move on the field, and occasionally directing the players on the field. He is not a person who likes to play on the spot, and he will not direct loudly unless necessary.

After half an hour of the game, Liverpool's start was very unfavorable. Lucas suffered a serious thigh injury in the 5th minute. From the painful expression on his face, he knew that the injury was serious.

The young Shelvey may have become very nervous after playing because he was not ready yet, which also made him a target of public criticism, and Manchester City's press became more and more unscrupulous.

The offensive end is unscrupulous, and the defensive end also has a clear task. Under Mancini's tactics, when Manchester City defends Lin Tian, ​​​​Manchester City is strictly guarded by one or two players.

The same is true for Suarez. As long as he gets the ball, Manchester City players will greet him and attack him, and block Suarez's passing line as much as possible, except for the return pass.

Mancini thinks this is enough. As for the other Liverpool players, he is really not too worried. Manchester City's players are also strong. If you compare them one-on-one, Liverpool will definitely suffer.

"Mancini's tactical arrangement is very simple, but the effect achieved is very good. He understands that as long as they can limit Lin and Suarez, they will be half successful. At the same time, the other half is to cut off the connection between Liverpool's midfield and the frontcourt. Separate the two lines. Then Lin and Suarez, who have no possession of the ball, standing in the frontcourt are not as useful as other players." Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville conducted a professional analysis.

"If Liverpool wants to defend their home glory, then Liverpool needs other players to stand up. Who would it be? Gerrard? Skrtel? Or Sterling?" Martin Taylor also drove the emotions of the fans in front of the TV.

……

After Balotelli's shot went wide again, Reina passed the ball to Martin Kelly in front of the goal. The latter passed the ball directly to Gerrard, and Gerrard passed the ball to Sterling who retreated.

After Sterling got rid of it, he came to the edge of the penalty area on the left, and then he was a little confused and wanted to cut inside, but Manchester City's defense line had already returned to the defense, and he still had to cross if he continued to go down, and he can also pass now.

"Hey!"

At the critical moment, Suarez found a good way for Sterling. Suarez raised one hand in front of the penalty area to ask for the ball. Sterling, who was worried that he had no choice, directly hoisted his foot to the penalty area at a 45-degree position.

The ball fell over Suarez's head, and Suarez, who had his back to the goal, was supported by Kolo Toure behind him. He had no chance to stop the ball and turn around. All he could do was head the ball back to captain Gerrard.

Gerrard on the outside of the penalty area followed up and volleyed directly at Manchester City's goal without waiting for the ball to land completely.

If you want to ask what the England midfielder is good at, then Joe Hart, who is responsible for guarding Manchester City's goal at this time, must be very clear.

Can Joe Hart, who is also part of the England national team, not know Gerrard's scoring methods?
Gerrard's specialty is the long shot!
"boom!"

After the rapid sound of the ball breaking through the air, the side net in the lower right corner of the goal instantly suffered the impact of the ball rubbing against the net.

1-0!

Liverpool scored first!
Anfield instantly boiled!

We also have great captains!
We still have Gerald!
(End of this chapter)