Liverpool United

Chapter 128 Liverpool United

Meanwhile, Martin's voice rang out from inside the stadium.

"Harry Kane! A powerful shot just five minutes into the game gives Tottenham the lead at home!"

"The connection between Alli and Kane, two British superstars, they are the true protagonists of this match!"

"Faced with two red-hot British stars, what choice will our main villain, Jiang Yan, make?"

On the sidelines, Klopp looked utterly exasperated.

The fact that Liverpool conceded a goal to Tottenham within the first five minutes wasn't the most important thing. The most fatal thing was that Kane single-handedly breached Liverpool's defense. Although Liverpool's attacking and midfielding lines are among the best in the Premier League, their defense was simply appalling.

There are many players available, but a true defensive leader is lacking; relying solely on Milner is far from sufficient.

Tottenham's defense consists of Kyle Walker (€15 million), Toby Alderweireld (€27 million), Jan Vertonghen (€23 million), and Derrick Rose (€14 million), totaling €79 million.

Liverpool's defense consists of Milner for 15 million, Lovren for 13 million, Matip for 18 million, and Clyne for 21 million, totaling 67 million euros, with a difference of 12 million euros.

In terms of central defensive pairings, Tottenham's central defensive pairings are clearly stronger than Liverpool's.

If funds were plentiful, Klopp would love to strengthen the defense with a leader in the winter transfer window, but the management clearly hasn't prepared enough funds for Klopp's idea.

Although Liverpool's management approved an additional €10 million in transfer funds after winning the International Champions Cup, there were no better options available, so the funds were used for reinforcements in the winter transfer window.

The gap between the two teams is stark, and Klopp can only rely on Jiang Yan's attacking ability.

After all, his current market value is far higher than Tottenham's entire defense.

On the other side, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino was all smiles. Tottenham's strategy of seizing the initiative from the start was very effective, and their pre-match defensive setup against Jiang Yan was also successful. Everything was going in the direction he had envisioned.

The game continued, and Liverpool, who had conceded the first goal, did not give up but instead played more proactively.

With the experience gained in the first two rounds, Liverpool are confident that even if they concede the first goal, they can equalize or even take the lead.

This is exactly what Klopp wanted to see: the players' competitive spirit was ignited, and Jiang Yan deserves much credit for this. Both the players on the field and the coaching staff off the field firmly believed that as long as Jiang Yan was still on the field, Liverpool still had hope.

In the 22nd minute, Tottenham's attack failed, and Jiang Yan took the initiative to drop back to receive the ball and played a smooth combination with Mane on the wing. The two constantly crossed positions, made forward runs, and passed the ball.

Jiang Yan and Mane's chemistry is undeniable. Whether in their daily lives or in training, they have long been the most compatible partners.

The seamless combination play between the two on the right wing made things very difficult for Eriksen, Wanyama, and Rose.

Despite being a three-on-two situation in certain areas, Tottenham, with their numerical advantage, played with no advantage whatsoever thanks to the combination of Jiang Yan and Mane.

Just then, Lallana, who had been behind the two, seemed to sense an opportunity and immediately ran towards full-back Rose.

Mane, Jiang Yan, and Lallana formed a triangular formation.

Seeing Lallana run into the weakest point in the defense, Mane on the far outside immediately passed the ball to the advancing Lallana, while Jiang Yan on the inside decisively ran towards Tottenham's penalty area.

After receiving a pass from Mane, Lallana was left with only Rose in front of him. He executed a move he learned from Jiang Yan, easily getting past Rose.

Although he didn't quite grasp the essence of Jiang Yan's fried meatballs, it was still enough as an unconventional and exceptional skill.

"Lallana's impromptu fried dough balls!"

"I remember this move was something Jiang Yan liked to use."

"That's right, Jiang Yan's 'fried dumpling' is indeed one of his most representative dribbling techniques. Judging from Lallana's movements, it seems he only recently learned it. It looks like Jiang Yan has come to Liverpool to provide technical assistance!"

"Mr. He Wei is right. From a tactical perspective, Jiang Yan and Mane's double connection was indeed brilliant, but Lallana was..."

"It was the X-factor among these three; his arrival broke down Tottenham's defensive duo, allowing Jiang Yan to reach the most dangerous position on the goal!"

"Of course, Mane's passing choices were also crucial. When he saw Lallana making a forward run, he didn't stubbornly choose to pass the ball to Jiang Yan, but instead opted for Lallana, who was in a better position. This shows that his football intelligence is absolutely top-notch!"

After getting past Rose, Lallana didn't continue dribbling and changing direction, but instead took a shot and delivered a high-quality cross.

Lallana crossed the ball without hesitation!

"The landing point is—it's Firmino!"

As a Brazilian, Firmino's heading ability is a major weakness, so Tottenham players in the penalty area did not mark him closely, with only one player specifically targeting his aerial duels.

Firmino leaped into the air amidst the crowd. Despite his height disadvantage, he still gave it his all and headed the ball towards the goal!

The ball traced a short arc, heading straight for the near corner.

Vorm reacted quickly, leaping forward and tipping the ball over the crossbar with one hand, giving Tottenham fans a scare.

"Wow, so close! Firmino's header almost equalized!"

"However, what pleased Liverpool fans was that Liverpool's attack was well-organized. Jiang Yan dropped back to organize, Mane drew defenders down the flanks, and Lallana made runs forward to deliver crosses. This seamless combination of play tore apart Tottenham's defense with individual skill and understanding!"

In the live broadcast room, He Wei and Zhan Jun were both happy for Liverpool's smooth attack, but Liverpool's manager Jurgen Klopp couldn't smile at all.

Instead, he shook his head regretfully.

"Still unable to achieve full synchronization?"

Not only Klopp, but the director in the live broadcast room also replayed Liverpool's attack.

At this moment, Zhan Juncai made a surprising discovery.

Just as Lallana crossed the ball, Jiang Yan had already arrived at the edge of the penalty area, and there was no one in front of him!

In other words, if Firmino hadn't headed the ball, but instead moved back a bit, Jiang Yan would have been able to make a run into the box and shoot!

"This—this ball—would have been better passed to Jiang Yan!!! Firmino failed to maintain the chemistry with the trio of Jiang Yan, Mane, and Lallana!"

On the field, Firmino himself realized this, and he took the initiative to find Jiang Yan during a corner kick attack.

Sorry Jiang, I didn't notice your location.

Jiang Yan patted Firmino on the shoulder.

Don't let your guard down, we still have one more corner kick opportunity.

Corner kick.

Jiang Yan neither chose to take the corner kick nor went into the penalty area to contest for the header. Instead, he stood at the top of the arc, ready to receive the second ball at any time.

Liverpool players pressed forward, creating a crowded penalty area. Toby and Vertonghen, the two central defenders, held their positions tightly, preventing Liverpool players from easily contesting headers.

Milner took a run-up and crossed the ball towards the center of the penalty area.

Matip jumped first and headed the ball on, but instead of shooting directly at the goal, the ball grazed the edge of the penalty area!

Tottenham's players were also prepared and had already assigned someone to mark Jiang Yan.

After Matip passed the ball to Jiang Yan, the player marking him quickly positioned himself in front of Jiang Yan to prevent him from receiving the ball.

Jiang Yan seemed to have anticipated this, and with a diagonal run inside the penalty area, he shook off the defender next to him.

It wasn't until this moment that the Tottenham players realized that Matip's header wasn't aimed at Jiang Yan outside the penalty area, but at Firmino, a player they had been overlooking!

"Matip's header! The goal is..."

"Firmino! Header relay!"

Firmino was smarter this time; instead of heading the ball directly, he flicked it on and passed it to Jiang Yan behind him.

"Jiang Yan! Jiang Yan got the second point!"

Jiang Yan, who had received the ball, found himself in front of a wide-open space.

Seeing the situation was not good, Toby hurriedly rushed out of the penalty area to block, and Vertonghen followed closely behind. The two formed a goal-closing position, trying to completely block Jiang Yan's shooting route.

Jiang Yan didn't even glance at them.

The chest paused gently.

Before the ball even hit the ground, he immediately raised his right foot and unleashed a powerful volley to the goal!

boom! ! !

The ball flew straight toward the top right corner of the goal like a cannonball, whistling through the air.

Vorm made a desperate save, but couldn't even touch the ball!

"Goal!!!!!"

Liverpool have equalized!!!

"Jiang Yan, with his signature powerful shot, helped Liverpool equalize the score!!!"

"Liverpool's corner kick tactic was extremely cleverly designed. Matip's header pass was very deceptive, successfully misleading the defender marking Jiang Yan into thinking the ball was going to Jiang Yan, when in fact it was passed to Firmino, who had just missed a good chance, and then he assisted Jiang Yan to score!"

Klopp on the sidelines was clapping enthusiastically; this kind of seamless teamwork was exactly what he wanted to see.

Communication is the key to unlocking victory.

He gave a thumbs-up to the players on the field.

Pochettino on the other side was somewhat frustrated.

They shouted about friendship and bonds, and then rushed over and scored.

Liverpool's unity is the last thing he wants to see.

As the head coach, he was well aware that the gap between the two teams' lineups was not significant, and he believed that his coaching level was no worse than Klopp's. However, a united Liverpool team was extremely formidable.

Unlike London, where Tottenham Hotspur is located, Liverpool is a city with only two teams: Liverpool and Everton. Most of the fans in the city are Liverpool fans. In Liverpool, a port city, the working class background has a profound influence on every Liverpool team.

Collectivism and an indomitable spirit are qualities that London lacks.

This is also a culture and gene deeply ingrained in the bones of Liverpool.

Every player who joins Liverpool is inevitably influenced by this united atmosphere and even integrates into it, which makes the Liverpool team very united.

A united team can unleash boundless power.

In the live broadcast room, Jiang Yan's goal was replayed from various different angles.

The screen was instantly flooded with comments.

[Liverpool's play was absolutely brilliant! Who would have thought Jiang Shen would suddenly run diagonally!]

[And Firmino, he's finally redeemed himself!]

That was such a great team effort! While it might not be as spectacular as a solo goal or a long-range shot, it was still a thrilling play!

Both of these ways of scoring have their merits; football, at its core, is a team sport!

Look, Jiang Yan and Firmino are hugging!

Hahaha, these two really have a good relationship!

It's not just these two; I feel like the whole Liverpool team has a great camaraderie, which is a bit unlike a professional team.

]

This must be what they call the "warmth of home."

[Support Liverpool! Jiang Shen is about to score the winning goal!!]

Back on the pitch, the Liverpool players celebrated briefly before being called away by captain Henderson.

We're just one goal short. If we only manage a draw, the fans won't be happy. We have to win for the fans!

The match restarted, with Tottenham kicking off.

After Liverpool equalized, both teams played relatively conservatively, and neither was able to mount any truly effective attacks.

Until the 43th minute of the match.

Captain Henderson was dribbling the ball, but he couldn't maintain his composure against England's rising star, Dele Alli, who accurately predicted his path and stole the ball.

Alibaba is seizing the opportunity to accelerate its operations, preparing for a counterattack.

Lamela received the ball in midfield and completed a beautiful one-two pass with Alli.

"Alli, England's future star, orchestrates the attack!"

"His response came from midfielder Lamela and forward Kane!"

Coutinho tried to win the ball back, but Alli's playing style was so agile that he easily fooled him with a simple change of rhythm.

Long pass!

"Alli's long pass found Kane!"

Alli delivered a precise long pass that bypassed Liverpool's half of the defense, and the ball, as if guided by eyes, landed precisely at Kane's feet.

Harry Kane had already started his run, using his positioning to instantly leave Matip half a body length behind, chesting the ball down firmly, and raising his foot to shoot!

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher clenched his fist on the sidelines: "Danger! Kane is going one-on-one!"

If Kane scores, Liverpool will fall behind again after just equalizing. Conceding a goal in the final stages of the first half would be devastating to morale!

Just as Kane swung his leg to exert force, a red figure suddenly shot out like lightning!

It's Jiang Yan!

After equalizing the score, he did not continue to push forward, but instead stayed behind the two forwards, fulfilling the role of a false nine.

That's why he was able to anticipate Tottenham's counter-attack and cover in time.

The moment Kane took the shot, a clean and decisive sliding tackle cleared the ball out of bounds!

"Beautiful defense! Jiang Yan saved the defense at the crucial moment! He saved Liverpool!"

The Liverpool fans in the stands erupted in a deafening roar, chanting Jiang Yan's name over and over again.

The corner kick was taken, and Vertonghen outjumped Lovren to head the ball towards goal, but it went just over the crossbar.

The referee glanced at his watch and blew the whistle to end the first half.

Ultimately, the two teams returned to the locker room with a score of 1-1.