I'm 198cm tall. Are you giving me a Maradona template?

Chapter 307 A Dream Start
finally.

Arsenal were unable to turn the tide.

They lost to Liverpool away from home.

After winning this game.

Liverpool's winning streak has reached its eighteenth game.

Such a record has earned them praise from media outlets around the world.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was also watching the match.

Liverpool is Manchester City's biggest rival.

There is no doubt about this.

therefore.

Guardiola cares deeply about everything related to Liverpool.

not to mention.
Three days later.

This is the most crucial match of the season.

Manchester City will host Liverpool at Old Trafford!
Manchester City now have played two more games and are one point ahead of Liverpool.

This lead is very precarious, and it could even be said that it doesn't count as a lead at all.

But what if Manchester City could beat Liverpool?

Their lead has widened to five points.

This will also damage Liverpool's confidence and morale.

In this way.
Liverpool's good form may come to an abrupt end because of this!

For Manchester City

The match against Liverpool at home in the 21st round of the league.

This is the most crucial match.

These days, images of Liverpool's recent matches keep replaying in his mind.

He told his assistant Arteta, "It's time for Liverpool to lose!"

Arteta paused for a moment: "They're still on a winning streak."

"Yes, they're still on a winning streak, but I can see their weakness; they're exhausted!"

"Did you see their performance against Arsenal?"

"They're tired! They're still winning, but it's only because of Sunshine's performance."

Guardiola saw Liverpool's weaknesses.

According to normal logic.

Liverpool are currently in a slump.

Actually.

A normal team.

The state is like a wavy line.

From peak to trough, and from trough to peak.

A brilliant head coach.

It can regulate the team's performance fluctuations.

Try to bring the team into peak form during key match periods.

But Guardiola didn't see Liverpool ever go through a slump.

How is this possible?
After careful study of Liverpool.

The more Guardiola studied it, the more his scalp tingled.

He discovered that Liverpool does have its off days.

But
Because of the presence of sunlight.

Whenever I'm not in a good state.

Sunshine always manages to score in time, boosting the team's morale.

The existence of such a player.

It makes Liverpool seem like they're always at their peak.

But
The sunlight only masked the problem.

This does not mean that Liverpool has no problems.

Against Arsenal.

This showed Guardiola that Liverpool were showing signs of fatigue.

He told his players on the training ground: "It's time for Liverpool to lose! We'll expose all their problems!"

"We must launch a furious attack to destroy their defenses!"

"Defeat them! Crush them!"

Guardiola rarely has such exciting moments.

but
This is different from when he coached Barcelona or Bayern Munich.

This is the current Manchester City team.

But I haven't gotten anything yet.

They have a super-luxurious lineup.

But at the same time.

However, they were suppressed by Liverpool.

This makes the Manchester City players' desire for the championship far greater than ever before.

Game day.

Etihad Stadium.

As the players from both sides came out to warm up.

The stadium was already packed.

Manchester and Liverpool are two cities that have a history of feuds.

before this.

Because Manchester United is more dazzling.

As the two biggest powerhouses in England.

The clashes between Manchester United and Liverpool often become the focus of the world.

Manchester City.
They're just Manchester United's noisy neighbors.

but now.

Manchester United have slipped to the bottom half of the league table.

Their head coach, Mourinho, has also been sacked.

Whether Solskjaer, this rookie coach, can mend the fortunes of Manchester United, this once-great club, remains to be seen.

just now.

A clash between the two cities of Manchester and Liverpool.

The responsibility of upholding Manchester's dignity has finally fallen on Manchester City's shoulders.

Their fans chanted, drowning out the voices of the more than 3,000 away fans who had come from Liverpool.

When the players from both sides walked onto the field to warm up.

The whole of Itihad.

All that could be heard were the shouts of Manchester City fans.

The sounds coming from the away team's stands were completely drowned out.

Today's Etihad Stadium.

The atmosphere was incredibly enthusiastic.

Manchester City's players stood tall and proud; they had been convinced by Guardiola.

They also believe that...

Nowadays.

This is the best chance to beat Liverpool.

If only they can knock Liverpool down from the clouds.

Then
Liverpool are about to embark on a downhill stretch.

They will be in turmoil in the league.

And that's when Manchester City's chance to win the title came.

"There are so many people!"

Mane looked at the vast expanse of sky blue in the stands and said.

Yang Guang, however, was unconvinced: "What's there to be afraid of? Are they going to come down from the stands and beat you up?"

Mane curled his lip: "The sound alone is amazing."

"Just think of it as encouragement."

"Huh? Isn't this just deceiving yourself?"

"Who told you to get scared?"

"Damn! Who the hell got scared?"

Yang Guang glanced at him: "Isn't it you?"

"I didn't!"

"You're making such a fuss even though it's not your turn."

The two chatted enthusiastically.

The assistant coach, who was not far away, yelled at them: "Stop daydreaming, hurry up and warm up!"

Warm-up complete.

The players from both sides went into their respective locker rooms one after another.

The importance of this match is beyond doubt.

That's a score worth six points.

Klopp is already waiting for his players in the locker room.

He wanted to give a final pre-match pep talk before the game started.

Tactics and such are certainly not something to be discussed at this time.

One week before the start of this match.

Liverpool are already preparing for this match.

The last tactical meeting was yesterday afternoon.

At this point in time, all the players already knew what they were supposed to do on the field.

So, what needs to be done now.

It's about boosting morale.

Get the players excited.

As all the players entered the locker room.

Assistant coach Kravitz closed the locker room door.

The noise at the Etihad Stadium immediately subsided considerably.

Klopp looked around at his players. "This is our biggest rival this season."

Klopp began to speak.

"If we lose to them, we could very well lose the season. I'm not kidding, don't think that being two games behind and one point behind them is a big advantage. They're strong, guys, and we have to face that!"

"Remember, we are Liverpool, we are the invincible Reds!"

"Even when playing away from home, we have nothing to fear!"

"Remember what I told you before? We're going to beat them, we're going to stop their momentum, we're going to show them what's what on our home turf with the most ferocious roars!"

"so."

"Do you now know what you should do?"

Guardiola's voice echoed in the home team's locker room.

All the Manchester City players gritted their teeth and shouted, "Beat them! Beat them!"

"That's right! Beat them! This Liverpool team is very strong. But as long as we knock them down, their momentum will dissipate, and we will complete the comeback this season!"

When the players from both sides are standing in the players' tunnel.

Everyone was engaged in a fierce, evenly matched battle.

Liverpool have now extended their winning streak to 18 games!
Their condition was astonishing.

Their opponents, Manchester City, are also in surprisingly good form.

In 20 league matches this season, they achieved 18 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, only losing to Liverpool.

and.

This season's home games.

Manchester City secured a perfect record.

Guardiola's team has shown amazing consistency and control.

Honestly.

Even Liverpool, who were on an 18-game winning streak.

Facing such a Manchester City team.

Many people also believe that...

Manchester City, playing at home.

It has several advantages.

"Both teams are already in the tunnel. The result of the match will only be revealed after 90 minutes. Two teams in excellent form are facing off. Who knows who will emerge victorious?"

Inside the CCTV Sports Channel studio.

Commentator He Wei took a deep breath.

in front of the TV.

When the players from both sides appear on the screen.

Chinese fans were also greatly encouraged.

They all stared at the screen.

Waiting for the game to begin.

The pre-match ceremonies concluded quickly.

Accompanied by the referee's whistle.

Aguero, standing in the center circle, passed the ball to Bernardo Silva.

The game officially begins.

Manchester City did not have leisurely possession in the opening stages.

Instead, they quickly moved the ball forward.

Right winger Mahrez cut inside and played a through ball to Aguero.

Aguero, without stopping the ball, took a shot from the side of the penalty area, near the byline.

The football hit the side netting.

When the side net sways.

The cheers throughout the Etihad Stadium erupted like a tsunami.

A collective sigh rippled through the stadium only when Manchester City fans saw the ball hit the side netting.

Aguero, who completed the shot from a tight angle, gave Mahrez a thumbs-up.

He then quickly left the penalty area and stood on the edge of the penalty area line, ready to rush in and press high up the field at any time.

Manchester City's formation was also pushed very high up the pitch.

Manchester City, playing at home, appeared very proactive.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson placed the ball on the edge of the six-yard box.

He assessed the situation and decided not to pass the ball to the two center-backs who were positioned on either side of the penalty area to receive the pass.

Instead, he waved his hand.

It signaled to him that he was about to unleash a powerful kick.

Alisson kicked out with a big kick.

The first point was unsurprisingly won by Sunshine.

He headed the ball to the feet of the onrushing full-back Robertson.

Robertson dribbled the ball a step toward the inside, then waited for Mane to pull to the wing before quickly chipping the ball over.

When Mane received the ball on the wing.

The sunlight was already piercing the middle of the road.

Mane controls the ball.

He made a feint to go down to the bottom.

After Manchester City full-back Walker, who was marking him, moved a step towards the outside, Mane took the opportunity to pass the ball into the penalty area.

The football took to the air.

"Mane, cross directly from a 45-degree angle. Yang!"

The commentators' voices suddenly rose.

This made the viewers in front of the TV suddenly feel a tightness in their chest.

The camera cut to a restricted area.

The two center-backs from Sunny and Manchester City are jostling for position.

Kompany and Stones positioned themselves one in front of the other, sandwiching the sunlight between them.

The sun tilted its head back, staring at the incoming ball.

It seems he has no chance left.

But right now.

He suddenly exerted his strength, took a step back, and then jumped.

Interference from Kompany and Stones prevented him from fully extending his range and from generating much power during his jump.

But as long as I can head the ball, that's enough.

As the football fell...

Sunlight glanced at the goal, and unable to exert full force, he did a back-viewing maneuver.

The soccer ball hit his forehead and bounced up, tracing an arc through the air before flying towards the goal.

Edson stood in the middle.

He originally intended to head the ball directly towards the goal to avoid direct sunlight.

Judging from the current situation...

This is the most likely outcome.

As long as the sunlight cannot exert its full force.

Provided the ball speed is not fast.

He was confident he could save the ball, or even keep it.

But what he didn't expect was...
The sunlight flickered slightly, and then, just in time...

The football bounced up, changed direction, and flew towards the far post.

Edson quickly took a step and jumped, leaping into the air.

But the ball's trajectory, like a parabola, just happened to bypass his fingertips.

"YANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN"

Amidst the shouts of the commentators.

The football slammed against the far post and bounced into the goal.

"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!"

The commentary booth erupted in cheers.

"Oh my god! Liverpool! Liverpool are in the lead! Just one minute and thirty seconds into the game! Liverpool have scored! Unbelievable! Unbelievable!!!"

"Liverpool scored on their very first attack! Yang! A beautiful header!!"

Liverpool break the deadlock!

"Liverpool have had a dream start to this crucial match!!"

After scoring, Yang Guang opened his arms and rushed towards Mane, who had passed him the ball.

The two met in the middle, and Yang Guang picked Mane up, followed by more Liverpool players rushing up.

Klopp jumped up from the coaching bench.

Then he was embraced by his assistants.

The entire Liverpool bench erupted in cheers.

While they were celebrating passionately.

The Manchester City players were somewhat bewildered.

Ederson got up from the ground, picked up the ball from his goal with a frustrated expression, and kicked it long towards the center circle.

He was utterly helpless.

The ball's speed is not fast.

But the angle is really tricky.

He was also somewhat at a loss about this.

Kompany and Stones exchanged a helpless glance.

They both sandwiched the sunlight like a sandwich filling.

In the end, the guy still found an opportunity to jump and complete the attack.

That guy's header was absolutely fantastic.
Guardiola, standing on the sidelines, shook his head slightly when he saw the goal conceded.

He wasn't surprised that Liverpool scored.

But the bad thing is...
The opponent scored so early!

Guardiola walked out from the coaching bench.

Although the goal was conceded very early.

But this also solidified the belief of the entire Manchester City team: it is time for them to attack.

Guardiola clapped his hands.

"Calm down! Calm down!! This is our home ground!!"

(End of this chapter)