Football: The strongest post-2000s Chapter 064

Character name suggestions: Klopp (), Li Qing (), Zhan Jun (), Andy Gray (·), Krawietz (), Buvac ()

Klopp, deep in thought, raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, turning to look at Li Qing with a hint of displeasure.

Just as he was about to erupt, he noticed the strong anticipation and intense desire to win in Li Qing’s eyes. As a football club coach in competitive sports, he wanted to win more than anyone else. It was true in the past, it is true now, and he will never forget his original intention in the future.

Perhaps influenced by Li Qing, Klopp’s grim expression gradually returned to normal, though his tone was still unhappy: “Be back in ten minutes.”

“Yes, sir!”

Li Qing was ecstatic.

Every professional football stadium has cameras specifically aimed at the head coaches of the home and away teams. The live director at Anfield noticed an interesting scene in the home team’s coaching area and quickly switched to it.

Li Qing was seen taking off his thick down jacket and heading to the warm-up area in long sleeves and trousers.

Sitting in the LeSports live broadcast room, commentator Zhan Jun’s pupils suddenly contracted as he watched the screen, blurting out: “Fifteen-year-old Li Qing, making his first appearance in Liverpool’s matchday squad, has left the substitutes’ bench and is heading to the warm-up area. Does this… mean that Klopp’s third substitution will be used on this young player?”

As he spoke, he became increasingly excited, his emotions surging: “If Li Qing can ultimately get on the field, then… he will set a record! The youngest FA Cup appearance record! Previously, this record was held by Arsenal player Jack Wilshere, who set it in 2009 at 17 years and 7 days old…”

“In addition, Li Qing will also set a new record for the youngest appearance in English professional football. The player who previously held this record was still a Liverpool player, Jerome Sinclair, who was loaned from Watford to Birmingham in January this year. He set it in the third round of the League Cup in the 2011- 2012 season when he was only 16 years and 6 days old.”

Meanwhile, Andy Gray, a famous commentator for Sky Sports in Great Britain, also noticed the scene. His suspicious voice reached the ears of fans watching at home: “Oh-My-God! Is Jürgen Klopp crazy? This young player named Li is only 15 years and 348 days old!”

Some fans in the main stand recognized Li Qing as the most eye-catching player from the Kirkby Academy recently, and they cheered him on in unison, but more Liverpool fans found it absurd!

How old is Li Qing?

Can he change Liverpool’s current unfavorable situation?

Could it be… that Klopp is giving up on this FA Cup match to fully prepare for the league match against Chelsea at home the day after tomorrow?

Fans who thought of this fell silent. Compared to the FA Cup, the league was clearly more important.

The team had already dropped to fourth in the league, with the Manchester giants behind them eyeing their spot. A slight misstep could mean missing out on the Champions League for three consecutive seasons.

But…

They always felt that Klopp sending Li Qing on was a bit off. After all, this situation was not suitable for training, and on the contrary, it would leave a big shadow on young players.

Klopp had clearly thought of this problem. He had just been impulsive, and now that he had calmed down, he felt that bringing on Li Qing was irresponsible to him. So, while the situation on the field was deadlocked, he pulled his two assistants aside to discuss the possibility of Li Qing coming on.

“Is it inappropriate to use the last substitution on Li?”

Krawietz and Buvac exchanged glances. The former was Klopp’s ‘eyes’, the latter was Klopp’s ‘brain’. After a few seconds, ‘brain’ Buvac said: “From a conventional perspective, it is indeed detrimental to Li’s development, but…”

At this point, he looked at Li Qing warming up, a smile on his lips: “Don’t look at Li being under sixteen years old, his heart is big. Don’t forget… this game was planned to be abandoned. The game will end in less than half an hour. Give Li a chance to play, let him personally experience the atmosphere of professional football, otherwise… it will be difficult for him to have such an opportunity again this season.”

Klopp fell into deep thought. As Buvac said, this game was likely Li Qing’s only chance to play this season.

The league is currently ranked fourth, and the lead is very subtle. Manchester United and Manchester City are lurking behind. After being eliminated from the League Cup and FA Cup, the team must secure a top-four finish to participate in next season’s Champions League, otherwise, the manager’s position will be precarious.

In the second half of the league season, the competition is particularly fierce. Where would there be an opportunity for Li Qing to play?

Clearing his thoughts, Klopp nodded slightly. After all, he had a verbal agreement with Mendes. If Li Qing’s performance was not outstanding enough, he could naturally respond by saying that Li Qing was not yet suitable for professional league play, and Mendes would have little to say then.

Either Li Qing would return to the Kirkby Academy, or he would be loaned out.

However, given Li Qing’s age of under sixteen, there would certainly be very few teams willing to give him playing time…

Ten minutes quickly passed, and the game reached the seventy-second minute. Li Qing finished warming up and returned to the dugout. As the situation on the field was quite tense, the live director switched the camera to the home team’s dugout.

They happened to see Liverpool assistant coach Buvac talking to Li Qing with a tactics board.

LeSports commentator Zhan Jun changed his tone and exclaimed: “Is Li Qing really going to come on as a substitute? An incredible record! He’s only 15 years and 348 days old!”

In fact, Buvac had very little to say, mainly telling Li Qing to make breakthroughs on the right wing. As for whether to pass or shoot, it was entirely up to him.

Half a minute later, Li Qing, wearing a Liverpool long-sleeved shirt and shorts, came to the sideline. Standing next to him was the fourth official, waiting for a dead-ball situation to hold up the electronic substitution board.

Great Britain Sky Sports commentator Andy Gray’s voice was filled with excitement: “Please remember this day, this young man named Li is setting a new FA Cup appearance record!”