Football: The strongest post-2000s Chapter 156

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European mainstream media were full of interest in the Premier League title and Golden Boot race. Tottenham’s star striker, Harry Kane, appeared calm in a media interview, confidently stating, “Defend the league’s Golden Boot? Why not?”

In reality, he was panicking.

He always felt that Li Qing was like a cheater in a game, capable of catching up at any time.

Under these circumstances, Liverpool began their home make-up game.

Anfield Stadium, with a capacity of 54, 000 fans, was packed to the brim. Liverpool fans, dressed in red jerseys and holding up red fan scarves, almost painted the entire stadium into a red ocean.

There weren’t many Crystal Palace fans who traveled with the team to Anfield. More were Chelsea fans disguised as Crystal Palace fans, hoping to help the visiting team, Crystal Palace, through their efforts.

Crystal Palace, taken over by Allardyce midway through the season, delivered on their pre-match promise, fielding their full main squad. Compared to West Ham United, who fielded youth team players in certain positions, Crystal Palace was entirely full-strength.

The Champions League spots, Europa League qualification spots, and relegated teams for the 2016- 2017 Premier League season had already been decided at the end of Matchday 37. This meant that only the league title and the Golden Boot race remained this season.

Liverpool’s home match against Crystal Palace attracted the attention of football fans worldwide. It’s no exaggeration to say that almost all football fans in China are now focusing on Liverpool’s No. 55 player.

23 goals in 13 league matches, plus 7 goals in 4 FA Cup matches, totaling 30 goals in 17 matches.

This statistic is astonishing!

Before the players entered the field, the loyal Liverpool fans in the KOP stand unveiled two huge TIFO shows. One depicted an animated version of the mascot wearing a Liverpool jersey, holding binoculars and looking down at the beckoning Premier League trophy.

The meaning was very clear: the first Premier League title since its inception was beckoning Liverpool.

The second depicted an animated Li Qing leaping in mid-air, his right hand tightly gripping the left foot of Tottenham’s striker Harry Kane, who had scored 27 league goals. A speech bubble extended from his mouth to the top right of the huge poster, roughly stating: “Get down here, I’m the Golden Boot winner!”

The two massive posters made Li Qing feel his blood roaring and boiling, as if it could gush out at any moment.

Crystal Palace players had known through media reports before the match that Li Qing intended to compete for this season’s Premier League Golden Boot, so their defense against him was meticulous, giving Li Qing no easy chance to receive the ball.

Conte, still holding a glimmer of hope in front of the TV, tensed up and whispered, “Bosses, you must keep an eye on this kid. Don’t let him score!”

The broadcast then showed Allardyce, who had been England’s coach for two months, with his palms pressed together: “Sam, you didn’t give me face at Stamford Bridge, and don’t give Jurgen face at Anfield either! I don’t even want you to win, just a draw…”

Before he could finish his sentence, a loud cheer from the stadium’s loudspeakers startled Conte, making him look up.

Li Qing, having switched positions, received a pass from a teammate about thirty meters in the center, swung his left foot as if to shoot from long range. French international Cabaye instinctively extended his leg to block. Conte, watching the ball, cursed, “Idiot! It’s a feint!”

As expected!

Li Qing’s swinging left foot quickly hooked the ball, and his body, like a spring compressed to its limit, darted to the right front. Facing Townsend, who came to cover, he chose to pass horizontally with the outside of his left foot to Firmino, who stopped sharply to receive, then diagonally penetrated between the two center-backs.

Tomkins reacted very quickly, directly reaching out to pull Li Qing, but… he didn’t grab him!

Too fast!

At the same time, Firmino flicked the incoming ball upwards with the tip of his right foot. The ball soared from the ground, flying into the space behind Crystal Palace’s two center-backs, Kelly and Tomkins, perfectly aligning with Li Qing’s running direction.

Li Qing, still running, controlled the ball forward with his chest, entering the left side of the penalty area. Without even looking at goalkeeper Hennessey’s position, he directly swung his left foot, striking the lower-middle part of the ball firmly with his instep.

Hennessey, who was well-positioned, felt the ball in front of him instantly grow from small to large. He only had time to raise his hands, but whether he could touch the ball was uncertain…

“Goooooooooooa 1——”

Accompanied by Sky Sports commentator Andy Gray’s loud shout, the Liverpool fans at Anfield Stadium instantly erupted.

CCTV- 5 commentator He Wei shouted with surging emotions: “Goal! Li Qing scores with a direct volley from the left side of the penalty area, breaking through Hennessey’s goal! Liverpool lead Crystal Palace 1- 0 at home! If the match ends with the current score, Liverpool will overtake Chelsea by one point and return to the top of the league table!”

Conte, in front of the TV, clearly refused to accept such an outcome. With his Q-spirit, he kept comforting himself: “The plot of the Stamford Bridge match was like this, concede first, then score two goals…”

However, less than ten minutes into the match, Liverpool extended their lead. The goal wasn’t scored by Li Qing, but he contributed to it.

His characteristic long-range cross accurately found Milner, who was making a high-speed run down the left. Milner then passed directly into the center of the penalty area without stopping the ball, and Origi scored with a flick, helping Liverpool to a two-goal lead at home.

Klopp, in the home team’s dugout, cheered with raised arms. Two goals essentially meant that winning against Crystal Palace at home was almost certain.

Conte, watching the live broadcast, had almost given up on this season’s league title. Unexpectedly, former Liverpool player Benteke equalized for Crystal Palace within a mere five minutes…

“Holy cow!”

Conte watched Benteke celebrating the goal on the broadcast and couldn’t help but praise, “That’s good! Stay strong!”

The fervent atmosphere at Anfield Stadium dropped to freezing point, and manager Klopp’s face grew even grimmer. However, at that moment, Li Qing stepped up.

He exploited Crystal Palace players’ complacency after equalizing, received the ball, and suddenly used a five-star skill card. Coupled with his already almost abnormal dribbling ability, he weaved through the defense like a dancing butterfly, entering the penalty area. Left center-back Tomkins didn’t dare to make a move.

Li Qing seized this point. Arriving at the right side of the penalty area, he suddenly unleashed a low shot that threaded perfectly through Tomkins’ legs and rolled towards the far post. Goalkeeper Hennessey’s view was obstructed, and by the time the ball reappeared in his sight, it was too late to make a save…

“aoooaooaoaooo——”

The ball grazed the inside of the left post and entered the net, creating an astonishingly fervent atmosphere over Anfield Stadium once more.

“ 3- 2!”

Le Sports commentator Zhan Jun’s voice rose by eight octaves: “Li Qing helps Liverpool take the lead again with his second goal of the match! His 25th goal of the season! He’s now just two goals behind Harry Kane, the top scorer! An insane performance! Absolutely incredible!”

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