Chapter 357: Chapter 357

"I predict 2:0, Liverpool wins!"

Gerrard’s prediction was relatively conservative, he mentioned a 2:1 score.

As soon as these words were spoken, Gerrard’s two commentary partners exchanged a knowing smile.

"Stephen, oh Stephen, you’re overestimating Manchester City’s forwards too much. You should know that in the last round, they could barely score a goal against Southampton at home; they’re going to score at Anfield? I don’t believe it!"

"Look at their starting forward, it’s Iheanacho, who was in the youth team last season; he’s probably not even as good as Bony, who missed three one-on-ones in the last game!"

Neville and Carra laughed dismissively.

Gerrard just nodded slightly but didn’t say anything.

Among the three in the studio, he was the only one who had truly faced Tang Long on the field.

This Liverpool team’s soul had truly experienced Tang Long’s prowess.

Even back in that UEFA Europa League match against Inter, Gerrard determined that by the end of the season, Inter Milan definitely wouldn’t be able to keep this young player!

Sure enough, as he expected, Manchester City issued a record-breaking check to bring him to the Premier League, a bigger and more dazzling stage.

This season, Liverpool’s baseline target is to secure a Champions League spot for the next season. But with Milner the iron-lunged England international joining, bolstering the midfield depth, the club has a new slogan: this season they aim to compete for the Premier League title against Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United.

Gerrard of course hopes Liverpool can crush the opponent at home, and the absence of Agüero and Joe Hart in the competition gives him more confidence.

But whether it’s Hart or Agüero—these two old rivals whom Gerrard has faced countless times in the Premier League—he believes neither has the intimidation factor for opponents like Tang Long does!

Gerrard has a vague anticipation in his heart:

"If Tang were suspended, it would be even better..."

In this match, Manchester City stuck to their usual 4-2-3-1 formation, and Tang Long was still in the starting attacking midfielder position.

During pre-match training, Tang Long had proactively suggested to manager Pellegrini that he could be pushed forward to play as a striker.

"Boss, I’ve played as a temporary forward at Inter Milan, and it worked quite well. Do you want to give it a try?"

Tang Long had played forward in a few matches at Inter Milan, and Pellegrini had taken note of this detail when scouting him in the transfer market and discussed it with chief executive Belgistan.

But Pellegrini, without any hesitation, rejected Tang Long’s proposal.

He appreciated Tang Long’s willingness to try new positions but explained that the Premier League isn’t like Serie A.

Serie A matches have a slower pace, and players adhere strictly to the tactics laid out by the coach. The physical confrontations between players aren’t very intense, giving plenty of time for thinking and space for anticipation when playing forward at Inter.

But the Premier League is a fast-paced, highly confrontational league. Both the speed of play and player physicality far exceed those in Serie A!

He even brought up Tang Long’s previous injury to his back while playing as an attacking midfielder to prove that he should just focus on his current position; playing as a forward, his physique might not hold up! That position is better left to the stronger Iheanacho.

Due to the instability in defense and Agüero’s suspension, Pellegrini opted for a more conservative approach at Liverpool’s home.

They aren’t without the ability to control the ball against Liverpool.

However, without Agüero’s movement and space creation up front, Pellegrini lacked confidence in the team’s passing game.

He figured that since Iheanacho couldn’t fulfill Agüero’s role, they’d just play more loosely and send crosses down the wings.

Physicality is Iheanacho’s advantage, and perhaps in chaotic play, the young player could launch some surprising attacks against Liverpool’s defense.

Pellegrini’s goal for this match is to secure a draw.

He believes that once this difficult period is over and Agüero returns, Manchester City can certainly make a strong comeback.

With Agüero absent for these matches against strong opponents like Liverpool, it’s better to play it safe!

That’s why, after the match began, Liverpool, playing at home, seized the initiative and quickly took control of the ball.

25-year-old mid-generation player Henderson has inherited Gerrard’s mantle in the midfield.

The England midfielder, standing at 1.87 meters tall and weighing 80 kilograms, not only resembles Gerrard physically but also shares a similar playing style.

He frequently used long passes from the defensive midfielder position to redistribute the ball along both wings.

"Klein, your position!"

Henderson delivered a precision-guided long pass from the top of the penalty arc, accurately reaching the right-back Klein speeding down the right flank.

This long pass instantly stretched the width of the pitch, and Gerrard in the studio applauded enthusiastically!

After Klein controlled the ball, he faced the experienced left-back Sagna.

Unsure if he could get past Sagna, Klein hesitated briefly and was about to muster the courage to attempt a strong drive when he heard Henderson shout, "Don’t rush, watch me!"

He promptly knocked the ball sideways, passing it to the charging Henderson.

From delivering the long pass from the penalty arc to Klein, to receiving his return pass, Henderson took only seven or eight seconds but covered the entire half-pitch!

This formidable running ability was enough to keep Tang Long, marking him from the attacking midfielder position, relentlessly chasing him back to his own side’s penalty area.

Henderson took the ball with his head held high, and Tang Long set up a 1-on-1!

"Henderson, go past him! Get past this Chinese player!" Carra shouted.

"Drive hard! Tang’s physical strength can’t match Henderson’s!" Neville also cheered for Liverpool.

Gerrard watched Henderson intently without saying a word, wanting to see if this young midfield protégé’s dribbling skills had improved after summer training and five league matches.

Perhaps because the match had just started, or perhaps because he was matched against the opponent’s key player Tang Long, Henderson was very positive-minded; he wanted to test his footing and compete with Tang Long.

In approaching Tang Long within about 1.5 meters, Henderson first pushed his right foot to the right, then lifted it again for a high step-over, moving his right foot over the ball to the left side.

This step-over move is Maradona’s signature trick, which he liked to use.

Though Maradona habitually used his left foot, Henderson used his right foot this time.

But Tang Long instantly saw through Henderson’s intention.

With the continuous improvement in AI training, Tang Long’s compatibility with Maradona’s style had reached 71%.

He was quite familiar with Henderson’s attempt to imitate Maradona’s feint.

Compared to the Argentine king who mastered this move, Henderson’s actions lacked fluidity.

Perhaps due to his tall stature, Henderson’s center of gravity was too high. His stepover move, in terms of step frequency, body sway, was lacking in deceit and suddenness compared to the football king, resulting in an awkward sense of forcing a move, resembling a poorly drawn tiger.

As soon as this stepover was made, Gerrard saw that Tang Long wasn’t fooled and immediately thought the outcome didn’t look good.

Sure enough, Tang Long, not taken in by the move, used Henderson’s exposed flaw from the stepover, swiftly nudged the ball hard with the tip of his foot, taking both the ball and Henderson down in one go!