Football: The strongest post-2000s Chapter 128

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The scene of Mourinho actively shaking hands with Li Qing was keenly captured by the live director. Sky Sports commentator Andy Gray laughed, “Jose Mourinho should not just be a simple handshake. I guess… he should be extending an olive branch to Li.”

“This is highly possible.”

Guest commentator Martin Tyler said, “But the specific situation still depends on the lip-reading expert’s analysis.”

Klopp heard Li Qing refuse Mourinho’s invitation, and the heart that had been in his throat finally settled.

However, Li Qing, who was under seventeen years old, signed an apprentice contract, not a truly professional contract.

If Li Qing signed a real professional contract, the club could raise the buyout clause to the level of hundreds of millions of euros set by Barcelona for players. At that time, as long as the club didn’t budge, other clubs would have no chance to sign Li Qing.

Unless they smashed the buyout clause!

However, this uneasy feeling would have to last until February next year.

Klopp couldn’t help but ask God, “My Lord, can you make time go faster?”

Manchester United CEO Ed Woodward, sitting in the VIP box, had eyes full of excitement. It wasn’t because the team lost, but because Liverpool had a super genius that could be unearthed.

It was true that Li Qing was nurtured by the Liverpool youth academy, but in today’s world of football, are there still few cases of poaching geniuses?

Take Pogba, for example. Many people know he’s a Manchester United youth product, but what’s the truth?

He was just a product processed by Manchester United’s youth system.

Li Qing is only sixteen years old now, and his mind is certainly not fully mature, which means he can be brought to the Carrington training base through small means!

There were quite a few club CEOs with such thoughts, but they had already been rebuffed before, and when they found Li Qing’s agent, Mendes, he was evasive.

Could it be… to directly approach Li Qing himself?

This… seems not to comply with relevant FIFA rules.

It would be fine if Liverpool didn’t appeal to FIFA, but if Liverpool did appeal to FIFA, it would be troublesome.

So, including Ed Woodward, the CEOs of the wealthy clubs still decided to go through regular channels to avoid trouble.

…

The next day, reports of Li Qing’s superb performance at Old Trafford were overwhelming. The older generation of Liverpool fans felt relieved and proud. In stark contrast was a generation of fans who had hoped for another Manchester United dynasty after Ferguson, but it seemed… Liverpool had the strength to return to the throne.

That evening, the FA Cup semi-final results were announced. Arsenal drew Manchester, meaning Tottenham and Liverpool automatically drew each other.

Since the two teams needed to draw for who would be at home, the draw still needed to continue. Liverpool was unlucky, drawing Tottenham first, meaning the last semi-final match would be Tottenham hosting Liverpool.

Tottenham’s head coach Pochettino, seeing this draw, couldn’t help but clench his fists. The loss at Anfield a month ago was still fresh in his memory. This time, in the FA Cup semi-final encounter, he was determined to lead his team to defeat Liverpool and strongly advance to the final!

Liverpool manager Klopp was quite depressed. He thought that if they drew an away game in the quarter-finals, they would draw a home game in the semi-finals, but it was still an away game.

Depressed…

It wasn’t without benefits for Liverpool. The semi-final was scheduled for 4:00 PM British time on April 23rd.

According to the schedule, the FA Cup semi-final was before an away challenge against West Bromwich Albion, and after the semi-final was a home (make-up match) against Burnley. Both teams were not very strong, so they only needed to focus all their attention on Tottenham at that time.

Liverpool, who defeated Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-finals, got one day of rest. Li Qing did not take a holiday; he chose to actively return to the Melwood training base for extra training.

The local Liverpool media were deeply moved by Li Qing’s actions. The official Instagram account of “Echo” said: “The world of football never lacks geniuses; what it lacks is the genius who puts in 99% of sweat. There are no shortcuts to success. The reason why Li had a peak debut is directly related to his diligent attitude day after day!”

“The first to arrive at the training ground at Melwood is always Li, and the last to leave is also Li. During holidays, it’s still Li who can be found at Melwood. Can such a Li not succeed? If Li’s future career success rivals Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi, we wouldn’t be surprised, because… his effort deserves it!”

Li Qing’s talent and effort are undeniable, but as long as haters want to criticize someone, there’s always something to criticize. Manchester United fans and Manchester City fans from Manchester showed a rare unity against outsiders at this time, which amazed neutral fans.

However, thinking about Liverpool’s upcoming away game at the Etihad Stadium this weekend, they felt relieved. Liverpool challenged the two Manchester giants consecutively within a week, and their big away win against Manchester United put some pressure on Manchester City fans.

Manchester City fans have always believed that Manchester City is stronger than Manchester United, but with Manchester United’s previous experience, they don’t want to see their supported team follow in Manchester United’s footsteps.

Defeating a rebuilding Manchester United might not have much reference value, but if Chelsea, Tottenham, and Arsenal’s losses are added, it can be easily concluded that the current Liverpool is not to be messed with.

Fans who have studied Liverpool’s offensive tactics know that the reason Liverpool was able to sweep away the gloom at the end of January was entirely due to Li Qing’s sudden emergence. He contributed 5 goals and 1 assist in three FA Cup matches, and 8 goals and 4 assists in four league matches, totaling 13 goals and 5 assists, which means an average contribution of 2.5 goals per game.

Such a large contribution basically means that Liverpool is undefeated, which can also explain why Liverpool has achieved eight consecutive victories in all competitions since the end of January.

Getting back to the main topic, the Champions League knockout stage and Europa League knockout stage held mid-week determined the eight quarter-final spots, but these have nothing to do with Li Qing, so they will not be mentioned for now.

Manchester City currently has 17 wins, 5 draws, and 5 losses, accumulating 56 points, ranking fourth in the league, with one less game played. Liverpool, also with one less game played, has 18 wins, 6 draws, and 3 losses, accumulating 60 points, ranking second. The difference between them is four points, making this six-point match particularly important.

The Premier League’s match schedule also perfectly reflects the attention this match receives, as it is scheduled as the last match of this round.

In the matches involving the top six Premier League teams, except for Arsenal’s surprising 1- 3 away loss to West Bromwich Albion, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Manchester United all won their respective matches.

The pressure, undeniably, falls on Liverpool and Manchester City.

For both, it’s a game they can’t afford to lose. _

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