The road to godhood starting from Ligue 1

Chapter 375 You've chosen a narrow path!

However, half an hour into the match.

Bright Stadium.

As soon as Ball received Liverpool's starting lineup from the assistant coach, his pupils instinctively contracted when his gaze swept over the forward line.

The name he had prepared for a whole week, marked with red circles on the tactics board to indicate the key targets, never appeared from beginning to end.

"Are you sure you didn't miss anything?"

Ball brought the list close to his eyes and checked it repeatedly, even scanning the names on the bench three times, before he could believe that Gaio's name was really on the substitute list.

At Liverpool's pre-match press conference the day before, when Rodgers was asked whether he would rotate his key players, he smiled and shook his head: "Gaião is our decisive player. Against an away game like Sunderland where we need to grab points, he will be where he should be."

Paul was somewhat confused.

Is this looking down on them?
Do you think they're a relegation-threatened team? Can they rest their key players?
at the same time,

The Liverpool fans in the stands at the Stadium of Light also gasped in amazement.

Many fans are looking at the starting lineup on their phones.

They didn't see Gaio either.

"Wait, no Gaio?"

The first question was like a pebble thrown into water, instantly creating ripples.

"No way! Let me check again, Suarez, Sturridge, Sterling, really not here! Huh? Is Gaio not playing?"

"He's not on the official website either. Gaio is on the substitute list, but he didn't start."

"Didn't Rodgers say yesterday that he was the decisive player? Why is he suddenly not playing? Could he have gotten injured in training?"

A fan wearing a scarf frowned and stood there, stunned. "I came all the way here to see Gaio, why is he being rotated out?"

Boot Room Tavern.

The fans were equally surprised.

Because it was an away game, the Boot Room was several times more crowded than usual, with people standing in the aisles.

Everyone was discussing it at that moment.

"Gaio isn't in the starting lineup? Are you sure you're not mistaken?"

"It's definitely a rotation, no need to worry. Gaio has a history of injuries. I remember he had a serious adductor injury during the European Championship last year, so we need to use him sparingly."

"But Sunderland just changed managers, this is the perfect time to take points while they're in disarray! Without Gaio, who's going to break down a tight defense?" another fan retorted, pointing at Suarez's name on the TV. "Suarez is great, but Gaio's role is irreplaceable!"

They don't think highly of Sterling.

Others commented, "Two matches in three days, including a full game and four goals in the midweek Manchester derby, shouldn't they get some rest? If they keep playing like this, their adductor muscles will really suffer, and they'll be out for even longer!"

The discussion in the tavern grew louder; some were worried about Gaio's health, while others were concerned about the tactical implications.

No one doubted that without Gaião, Liverpool's starting lineup seemed to lack a certain reassuring quality.

Amidst the surprise and speculation of Liverpool fans.

Gaio warmed up with the team.

This at least reassured the fans that Gaio wasn't injured.

soon.

After the players finished preparing in the locker room, they returned to the field.

The match is about to begin!
Martin Tyler, who was commentating on the game, also sounded visibly surprised: "Gaio's name is not in the starting eleven. This is definitely a change that no one expected before the game!"
Gaião's performance in his first Premier League appearance, with his consecutive superb plays, has led everyone to assume that he will continue to play as a striker.

But now, he's sitting on the bench.

This has a very direct impact on the game.

Sunderland must have made thorough defensive plans against Gaio before the match, such as having the two midfielders double-team him to prevent him from dropping back and the full-backs to close down and prevent him from making runs behind the defense.

Liverpool's starting lineup now consists of Sturridge, Suarez, and Sterling. While this combination is threatening, it lacks the explosive power of Gaio, who can single-handedly break through the defense.

In the past five league matches, Gaião has consistently been the absolute core of Liverpool's attack. Now that he's on the bench, Sunderland's defensive pressure will be reduced by at least 30%, and Coach Ball's pre-match plans will likely need to be adjusted right from the start.

Subsequently,

Martin Tyler then shifted the topic to the Ballon d'Or, a very hot topic in the football world recently.

"However, speaking of Gaio, the media has been hyping up the 23-man shortlist for this year's Ballon d'Or, and almost all football commentators have listed him as a must-have candidate."

This is not just speculation; although Gaio plays in Ligue 1, he doesn't play in the Champions League.

But Gaio had an absolutely phenomenal season last year!

Last season in Ligue 1, he scored 46 goals, breaking the league's single-season record, and also provided 25 assists. Including his 27 goals and 8 assists in the Europa League, he was directly involved in 96 goals across all competitions in a single season.

What is this concept?
They contribute to an average of 1.5 goals per game!
Not to mention the World Cup qualifiers, where he led the French team in 7 games as the absolute core player, scoring 14 goals and providing 3 assists. He almost single-handedly sent the team into the World Cup finals and also won the treble of Ligue 1, French Super Cup and Europa League.

Even though the Europa League is not as prestigious as the Champions League, it is rare in history for someone to deliver such a performance at the age of 18.

Many people say that Gaião has never played in the Champions League, so being nominated for the Ballon d'Or is already quite an achievement.

But I don't see it that way.

If we only look at his performance over the past 12 months, his dominance has reached the level of a top superstar.

Liverpool's willingness to spend €8000 million to acquire him, along with a weekly wage of £30, is the best proof of his value.

Look at his performance since joining the Premier League: five league games and one EFL Cup game, a total of six games, he scored 14 goals and provided four assists.

He contributes to three goals per game on average!
Gaião is no longer the simple striker he was in Ligue 2, but a core player.

He is an extremely rare all-around winger who can pass, shoot, and dribble!
Therefore,
Personally, I think he not only has a chance to make the 23-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or, but he could also break into the top ten. If the judges take his age into account, he might even have a chance in the top five.

Just imagine, a top-five finisher in the Ballon d'Or at the age of 18—what an incredible achievement that would be!

The camera cut back to Gaio on the bench, and Martin Tyler's voice softened.

"Of course, the most crucial thing now is this game. Coach Rodgers may have substituted Gaio because of his previous adductor injury, the midweek double match that took too much to handle, or other tactical considerations."

However, as long as Gaio remains on the bench, Sunderland cannot afford to relax completely.

after all,

Nobody wants to face Gaio, who's been on the bench for 60 minutes, desperately wanting to score.

soon.

drop!
The referee's whistle sounded.

The game officially begins!
A cold wind carried the cheers of Sunderland's home crowd across the sidelines.

As the match progressed, in Liverpool's coaching area, Rodgers' gaze swept across the field.

Suarez roamed the front line, and his running routes were the "wing runs + central support" pattern that he had repeatedly practiced before the game.

"Two matches in three days is too tight. You can rest well against a relegation-threatened team. We need you more in the later matches." This was what Rodgers said to Gaio before the match, trying to keep his tone as gentle as possible.

But in reality, he knew all too well what people were saying: "Liverpool's victory was all thanks to Gaio," and "Rogers is a coach who keeps his career going by relying on talented players."

And there's also something David Dunn said.

All of this put a lot of pressure on him.

Without Gai, there is no point that can break through the defense on its own, but it is precisely because Gai is not there that we can see whether this system can work.

Can Kante's steal turn into an effective counter-attack?
Can Suarez's dropping back to receive the ball activate the wings?

Can Sterling and Sturridge's interplay create openings?
The answers to these questions are more important than the outcome of this match.

Liverpool launched their first attack on the field.

Henderson's pass was intercepted by the Sunderland defender, Rodgers' Adam's apple bobbed, and he subconsciously took a half-step forward.

He suddenly remembered that after the Manchester derby, the media covered Gaio's four goals extensively, but no one mentioned his substitution of Kanté.

Recalling the training session, the coaching staff discussed "what to do if Gaio gets injured," their tone revealing their deep concern.

He can't be a coach who relies on Gaião forever, just as Liverpool can't rely on an 18-year-old forever.

He needs to see how the system works in this game.

We need to let everyone know that Liverpool's victory is not only due to Gaião's talent, but also to his tactical design.

The cheers from the stands rang out again as Sunderland launched a counterattack. Rogers raised his hand to adjust the collar of his coat, suppressing the fleeting anxiety within him.

however,
Little did he know that David Dunn was frowning deeply at that moment.

Watching Rogers on TV, I couldn't help but think, "You've narrowed your options."

Was his previous statement to Rogers meant for Rogers to remove Gaio?!
He wanted Rogers to make better use of Gaio's abilities to revitalize the entire team, rather than relying solely on Gaio, thus reducing Gaio's burden.

Rodgers, on the other hand, simply put Gaio on the bench.

Abdullah just called to ask why, and David Dunn covered for Rogers, saying that Gaio was resting and undergoing injury management.

Dunn shook his head.

He and the Saudi side had already reached a consensus; Rogers is going against them.

If that's the case, then he's not as good as the coach in Bastia.

Think of this.

Dunn finally made up his mind and immediately sent a text message to his assistant, "Give me Jürgen's phone number."

It's time to make some changes.

Having been tempered by the Arsenal ownership battle, Dunn has lost his sentimentality. Is Rodgers a good coach?
he does not know.

But he didn't have time to prove himself to Rogers.

In these few games of the new season, Rodgers has proven that he can't play any better, so he should bring in a better coach.

When a team has a player like Gaio, if they don't focus on improving the team's strength as quickly as possible but instead think about coasting, they won't be able to keep Gaio.

Even Bastia, after discovering Gaio's potential, knew to take on debt to strengthen the roster.

Doesn't Dunn understand?
Time flies.

When the scoreboard at the Stadium of Light reached the 30th minute, the chants from the Liverpool fans in the away section of the stands noticeably subsided.

It's not that they've lost their passion, it's that the chaotic offensive rhythm on the field has worn them down and made them lose their spirit.

The Reds moved through Sunderland's defenses, but it always seemed as if there was an invisible barrier between them, making even smooth passing difficult.

Left-back Enrique pushed forward to assist in the attack, but misjudged his teammate's run when crossing the ball, which drifted directly into the stands. Suarez stretched out his arm for a long time before finally having to slap his thigh in frustration.

This marks Liverpool's fifth attack in half an hour to end due to a passing error.

Occasionally, there are threatening opportunities, but they rely entirely on the individual abilities of the three forwards to break through.

In the 17th minute, Sturridge received a long pass on the left wing, used his speed to get past the defender and break into the penalty area, but his shot was blocked by the Sunderland goalkeeper's leg.

In the 25th minute, Suarez held off two defenders outside the penalty area, turned and took a long-range shot. The ball grazed the right post and went wide. He covered his forehead and squatted on the ground, seemingly wondering, "How could it have been so close?"
Sterling did make two inside runs, but each time he reached the edge of the penalty area, he was surrounded by Sunderland defenders and had to pass the ball hastily, which was either intercepted or passed into an open space where no one was there to receive it.

His performance made it clear to all Liverpool fans why he had a difficult time competing with Gaião for the right winger position.

Rodgers stood on the sidelines with his arms crossed, his eyes fixed on the midfield. His pre-match tactic of "combining the wings and the center, passing and controlling the ball to advance" was completely unexecuted.

The team has reverted to its old approach of relying on the individual abilities of its forwards to gamble on opportunities.

Of course,
Sunderland isn't doing much better.

Interim manager Ball's defensive counter-attacking tactics did allow them to withstand Liverpool's attacks, but their offense became completely devoid of threat.

The cheers from the Sunderland fans in the stands were mostly for successful defensive plays; no one really thought the team could mount a threatening counter-attack.

however,
Five minutes later, the Stadium of Light was completely overwhelmed by a wave of cheers.

Sunderland's attack came without any warning.

After intercepting Liverpool's cross, midfielder Cattermole sprinted forward and, before Kanté could close in, delivered a low through ball that pierced the defense.

South Korean international Ki Sung-yueng received the ball and cut inside to the right side of the penalty area, unhesitatingly slotting it into the near corner.

Mignolet reacted quickly, blocking the ball with one hand, but it didn't roll far.

Giaccherini surged forward like a cheetah from behind, and with a quick flick of his foot just outside the six-yard box, the ball grazed the inside of the post and rolled into the net.

Goal! Sunderland take a 1-0 lead!

As soon as the commentator finished speaking, the Sunderland fans in the stands erupted in cheers.

Fans jumped up, their scarves arcing through the air. Some hugged their strangers and roared, while others waved their arms wildly.

In his first match in charge of the interim coach, the team surprisingly took the lead at home against the league leaders!

Giaccherini knelt on the grass, pounding his fists on the ground, his smile a mixture of disbelief and excitement. Ki Sung-yong ran up behind him, pulled him up, and the two embraced tightly.

The Liverpool players shrugged, looking somewhat helpless.

Gerrard kept clapping to encourage the players.

Rogers, on the sidelines, reacted the most violently.

He spread his hands and shouted at the field, his voice filled with barely concealed impatience. It was unclear whether he was questioning the defenders' recovery or lamenting the midfield goal conceded.

The cheers from the stands continued, and Sunderland fans began singing their team anthem.

After the broadcast finished showing Sunderland's celebration,

They immediately gave Liverpool substitute Gaio a close-up shot that lasted five or six seconds.

The implication is self-evident.

(End of this chapter)