From the man behind the football king to the football king.

Chapter 997 The Top Competition

Manchester United's players ended their celebrations and returned to their own half, met with a deafening chorus of boos from the home fans in the stands. But Liverpool's players showed no fear; on the contrary, they were quite pleased with themselves.

When playing away from home, the boos from the home fans are the greatest compliment they can receive!

Liverpool's players are already in position in the center circle, ready to kick off.

The television broadcast gave them several close-up shots, and the Liverpool players in the footage didn't seem to be too affected.

This is something that makes Liverpool fans happy: after conceding a goal, the worst thing is for the team to be stunned.

It seems that Liverpool hasn't been stunned, so we can look forward to their future performance.

In a battle between masters, how can one be so easily defeated?
This match is the highest level of competition in British football and even in world football. The game has only been going on for eleven minutes, so it is too early to say that the team has been defeated.

"Manchester United have now taken the lead, how will Liverpool react?" Andy Gray said.

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After the match restarted, Manchester United maintained their lead and momentum, forcing Liverpool to temporarily retreat and defend.

However, Manchester United failed to score again in the short term. Liverpool's defense was very well organized during this period, and Alisson's outstanding saves repeatedly thwarted Manchester United's attacks.

Manchester United's repeated attacks on Liverpool's goal went unsuccessful, and Liverpool seized the opportunity of Manchester United's pressing forward to launch counter-attacks.

In the 23rd minute, Liverpool launched an attack. Arnold made a run down the wing, received the ball on the right side of the penalty area, and then crossed the ball.

Van Dijk and Gundogan didn't even jump; they just watched the ball fly to the edge of the six-yard box, where Origi leaped high and headed it towards the goal!

Origi's header—!

With Andy Gray's shouts, the football grazed the right post and flew into the goal!
"Ah—Liverpool have equalized!"

Anfield Stadium erupted the moment the ball flew into the goal. All the home fans rushed out of their seats, shouting and cheering wildly, as if they had won the game themselves!
"After trailing for twelve minutes, Liverpool have equalized! This is the kind of clash we've been waiting for!" Andy Gray exclaimed excitedly.

Only twenty-three minutes into the match, there were already two goals, one for each side. This kind of duel truly deserves the title of the highest level of competition in England.

………………

"Origi! Origi!! Origi!!!" Zhan Jun couldn't contain his excitement and shouted, "He just came on as a substitute for twelve minutes and he's already equalized for Liverpool!"

"If you were to ask who Liverpool's most dazzling player on the pitch is, some might say the Egyptian Pharaoh Salah, while others might say the fiery Mane. But I think the most eye-catching striker is Liverpool's lucky charm – Origi! Although he's only a substitute player, he has saved Liverpool many times during his seasons with the team! Today was no different. When Liverpool was in a difficult situation, Origi came on as a substitute and quickly helped Liverpool equalize!"

"Now both sides are back on equal footing! This goal was crucial, dealing a heavy blow to Manchester United when they were besieging Liverpool! The game is back in suspense!"

Liverpool fans watching on television jumped up and joined in the cheering.

Although only twenty-three minutes had passed in the game, the tense atmosphere of the final moments had already spread.

………………

After the game restarted, both sides had their chances, and the game was relatively even. Both sides had opportunities, so it was hard to say who had the upper hand.

In the 28th minute, Henderson sent a through ball to the right wing, and Arnold crossed from the right. However, this time it was not a high ball to the front of the goal, but a low ball to the near post, where Origi met the ball and shot!
Maguire closed in and interfered, causing his shot to miss.

"so close!"

Manchester United then launched an attack. In the 31st minute, Bruno Fernandes sent a through ball down the left flank to Harry Kane. After receiving the ball on the wing, Kane first used a dribbling move to get past Matip. Facing the onrushing Koulibaly, he swung his leg as if to shoot, tricking Koulibaly into a sliding tackle. However, Kane simply pulled the ball back with his toe, thus getting past another defender!
"He beat two players in a row! Beautiful! Harry Kane!!"

Harry Kane dribbled past Matip and Koulibaly into the penalty area, and despite the tight angle, he still chose to shoot!
Alisson was prepared for this and had already blocked the angle, diving to deflect Harry Kane's shot.

This attack drew gasps and cheers from the Liverpool fans in the stands, which rose and fell, but in the end all turned into a sigh.

"Oh no! Harry Kane! He missed a golden opportunity! Everything he did before the shot was perfect, but the angle was just too tight... Alisson saved it."

In the 40th minute, Manchester United launched another attack, with Bruno Fernandes moving to the left flank to receive the ball. However, he was tackled from behind by Fabinho as soon as he received the ball.

A chorus of boos erupted at Anfield Stadium, followed by the referee's whistle, awarding Manchester United a free kick on the left side of the penalty area for a foul by Fabinho.

Bruno himself took the free kick, shooting directly, but the ball went over the crossbar.

Three minutes later, Mane dribbled down the wing, unstoppable. He first used a change of pace to shake off Luke Shaw, and then, facing Bruno who came to cover, he didn't even look up. He simply accelerated past Bruno, leaving Bruno looking slightly disheveled...

"Damn it, this is bullying!" Bruno muttered, turning back to watch Mane's departing figure.

When Mane dribbled past two Manchester United players at Anfield, including Bruno Fernandes, whom they considered their biggest rival, cheers erupted.

Amid cheers, Mane encountered Kanté, who came up to block him. Facing the Frenchman, who is known as the world's best defensive midfielder, Mane dared not use the same tactics he used against Bruno. He slowed down, then made a feint and cut inside!
Kante rushed in to intercept, but was a little too slow. He failed to poke the ball away from Mane's feet and instead knocked Mane to the ground.

Referee Anthony Taylor blew his whistle, and Mane won Liverpool a free kick, in a better spot than Bruno's previous one.

This is in the middle, about 30 meters from the goal.

"Mane's speed is just too fast, Kante had no choice but to foul him..."

………………

Liverpool's free kick was taken by Scottish full-back Robertson, but like Bruno's earlier free kick, it went over the crossbar.

However, Liverpool's attack did not weaken as a result, and they came back a minute later.

Robertson made a diagonal pass from the left edge of the penalty area, and the ball was passed to the right side of the edge of the box. Origi received the ball there, created space, and fired a shot!
"Origi! Beautiful!"

The football flew close to the grass and headed towards Manchester United's goal!

De Gea was already somewhat off balance when Origi feinted earlier, and now facing Origi's shot, he found it difficult to make any standard save. As he fell to the ground, he could only try to swing his leg out, hoping to hit the ball.

This reflex-like movement ultimately saved Manchester United's goal; Origi's kick struck De Gea's shin, then bounced high over the crossbar...

"Oh no! Origen missed a golden opportunity! De Gea made a brilliant save!"

Seeing his shot deflected off the crossbar by De Gea's leg, Origi clutched his head in disbelief.

His feint was beautiful and successful, not only fooling Van Dijk but also throwing De Gea off balance. He thought the ball was a sure thing. But then, inexplicably, De Gea blocked it with his leg…

This is such terrible luck!

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"This might be Liverpool's best scoring opportunity since equalizing! Liverpool's flanks have been on fire lately, and Manchester United are struggling to cope, with their defense constantly in danger... Fortunately, the first half is almost over, and Mourinho still has time to make adjustments at halftime... He must make adjustments, otherwise if Liverpool continues to play like this, I'm afraid the opponent will completely dominate in the second half..."

Neither side was able to break the deadlock in the first half, and when Anthony Taylor blew the whistle to end the first half, the score was still 1-1.

This result is actually acceptable for Manchester United, because as long as they can draw with Liverpool away from home, they will maintain their eight-point lead.

With six rounds remaining in the league, an eight-point lead is substantial. While Ferguson's Manchester United suffered a similar fate ten years ago, leading by eight points with five rounds remaining but ultimately losing the title, Mourinho's Manchester United has been remarkably consistent in recent seasons, avoiding any major upsets.

本赛季的曼联，表现也是非常的稳：31轮24胜6平1负，场均可以拿到2.52分。

At this scoring rate, Manchester United will finish with a total of 96 points this season!
This single statistic alone demonstrates just how formidable Manchester United has been this season.

Of course, this also demonstrates that Liverpool and Manchester City, who have been closely chasing Manchester United, have performed exceptionally well. Because Manchester United's performance, in any league, would be a runaway victory, securing the title early.

(End of this chapter)