The road to godhood starting from Ligue 1

Chapter 346 The most amazing debut in Premier League history is taking place at Anfield!

8 month 16 number.

This is the start time of the first round of the 2013-14 Premier League season.

More than ten teams will begin their new season tonight.

英超创立于1992年2月20日，并于1992/93的赛季成为英格兰的顶级足球联赛。

The history of the English football league being divided into four levels, which has lasted for more than a century, has officially come to an end.

Prior to the 2013/2014 season, five teams had won the Premier League title.

Manchester United have won the title 13 times;
Arsenal won the title three times;
Chelsea won the title three times;
Manchester City won the title once;
Blackburn won the title once.

Manchester United have won more than half of the titles in 21 seasons, which is the Red Devils' dominance.

However, with Sir Alex Ferguson, who had been in charge of Manchester United for 27 years, announcing his retirement, David Moyes, the legendary manager who had been in charge of Everton for 11 years, took over Manchester United in the new season.

Furthermore, Manchester United did not make any signings during this off-season, which gave other Premier League teams hope of winning the title.

Manchester City and Chelsea are both favorites.

Liverpool, who finished seventh last season, are considered by the media to have achieved success simply by qualifying for the Champions League.

Unless the new owner, like the Manchester City owner, throws money around like crazy.

However, with the Financial Fair Play regulations in effect, the path of simply throwing money at the problem to gain UEFA's approval and avoid a ban from European competitions is no longer so simple.

However, these things are still a long way off for fans.

They were only thinking about the game at hand.

The match between Liverpool and Stoke City was the opening game of the Premier League, the first game of the first round!
Therefore,
It was only a little past 3 p.m., with three hours to go before the match.

The Boot Room Tavern was already packed to the brim.

Red jerseys flooded every corner like a tide, the air was filled with the mixed smells of beer foam, fried fish and sweat, and the noisy clamor almost lifted the wooden roof off.

Old George was sweating profusely behind the bar, his hands almost never stopping wiping the glasses.

"Business is better today than it was before the derby during the Shankly era."

He muttered to the bartender, but his eyes were fixed on the television screen on the wall.

Sean gulped down a large mouthful of beer and slammed his glass on the table: "All of England is waiting to see us fail! I went through every paper this morning, and not one of them had any faith in us! That bastard at the Manchester Evening News even bet Gaio wouldn't last half a season!"

"Let them laugh!" Mick shouted, his face flushed, his arm around the shoulder of the fan next to him. "Back then they said Torres couldn't adapt to the Premier League, and what happened? Hahaha!"

The TV was showing Sky Sports' pre-match analysis, and the guest bluntly pointed at Gaio's stats and said, "80 million for Ligue 1 stats? The Premier League is not a children's playground."

Shh~~
A chorus of boos and curses erupted in the tavern.

Liz looked at her phone with concern: "On Twitter, they photoshopped Gaio into a sailor wearing a life jacket, with the caption 'The sinking Liverpool'."

"Bullshit!" Mick jumped onto a chair, raised his phone to record, "Guys! Let those bastards who're waiting to laugh at us hear our voices! Jan Gaio!"

He led the shout, and the entire tavern immediately erupted in a thunderous response: "YNWA!"

In a corner, several elderly fans were arguing heatedly.

“Mark Hughes must have had Shawcross do something dirty,” an old man said, his hand trembling as he held his wine glass. “Remember how he ruined Ramsey back then? That Arsenal genius, he’s never had his spark again, it was all Shawcross’s doing.”

"So Lucas should be brought on to protect the midfield!" another shouted.

"Protect them my ass! We should attack with all our might! Shut them up with goals!"

Jamie Callahan pushed his way to the front of the bar, banging on the table to quiet everyone down: "Listen to me! Those Londoners, those Manchesterites, are waiting for us to collapse. They want to see Gaio tackled, they want to see Liverpool thrashed. We're always the underdogs!"

He looked around, his voice suddenly lowering: "But this is Liverpool. We never prove ourselves when things are going well. Shankly said: 'Football is not life or death, it is more than life or death.' Today, we want all of England to remember: Liverpool can be knocked down, but they will never be defeated!"

He glanced at his watch. "I have to go after two more drinks. Members of the Shankly spirit, come with me. Today, we must let Gaio feel the atmosphere of Liverpool!"

"okay!"

Many people in the crowd echoed this sentiment.

Liverpool has many supporter associations, some of which are quite old, but the Spirit of Shankly, which was only established a few years ago, is probably the most influential one among them.

Founded in 2008 during a turbulent period under Hicks and Gillette owners, it aims to protect the rights of fans and the club's traditions.

They are very independent, dare to speak out on club affairs, and actively participate in opposing excessively high ticket prices, unreasonable team activities, and other such behaviors.

They can be considered the "voice" of Liverpool fans, dedicated to ensuring the club maintains its "fans first" values.

Equally significant to Shankly's spirit is another long-established fan club, Spion Kop 1906.

They are in charge of the TIFO in the KOP stands.

Anfield Road outside the pub had long been dyed a boiling sea of ​​red.

Two hours before the game was scheduled to start, the entire street was already packed with people.

The air was thick with an almost burning, frenzied atmosphere.

Under the shade of trees in Stanley Park, groups of fans are marching toward the stadium, waving flags.

Stanley Park is flanked by Anfield Stadium and Goodison Park Stadium.

The fans gathered together, full of enthusiasm.

Many people were gathered around the Shankly Gate, discussing their thoughts on the opening match.

(Shankly Gate ↓)
Time flies.

5:30 pm.

A sudden commotion arose in the distance, like the first wave before a tsunami.

"They're coming!"

Someone shouted at the top of their lungs.

The entire Anfield Road was instantly set ablaze.

Tens of thousands of fans surged toward both sides of the road like a tidal wave, and the human wall formed by the police began to bear immense pressure.

All the songs converged into the same song, "You'll Never Walk Alone," making the glass windows of the roadside cafes vibrate.

The first thing that catches the eye is the flashing blue lights of the police motorcycles, followed by that familiar red bus.

Liverpool's team bus slowly drove into this sea of ​​red, its body gleaming brilliantly in the setting sun.

The fans frantically pounded on the bus windows, countless hands reaching out towards the bus, as if trying to gain strength through touch.

"Gerald!"

"Gerald!!"

"Yang! Look here!"

Gerrard smiled and waved out the window, Sturridge nodded gently while wearing headphones, and Gaio, sitting by the window, witnessed the entire street cheering for the team.

Like Bastia.

The difference is that this is a sea of ​​red, and there are more people here.

Gaio instinctively sat up straight.

The bus slowly drove into the players' tunnel entrance, shutting out the last ray of daylight.

But the song "You'll Never Walk Alone" still pierced through the steel plates and echoed throughout the carriage.

Gerrard unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to Gaio: "Welcome to Anfield, lad. Come on, it's time to get on the pitch."

The car door slowly opened, revealing a passageway leading to the changing room.

Gaio nodded.

As his teammates walked into Anfield, the holy ground of Liverpool.

Heading towards the locker room.

During his time in Liverpool, Gaião has thoroughly learned about the history of the city.

I couldn't help but sigh.

Anfield Stadium.

Located in Anfield, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, it is a UEFA four-star stadium.

but,

For football fans around the world, this is more than just a stadium with over 50,000 seats.

It is the heart and soul of Liverpool, a football sanctuary eternally connected by faith and song.

Anfield's story began in 1884 when it was originally the home ground of its city rivals, Everton.

However, due to disagreements over venue rental fees, Everton moved to Goodison Park in 1892.

No teams were left at Anfield Stadium.

Thus, Liverpool Football Club was born that year.

From then on, red became the eternal base color of this stadium.

1892年9月23日，利物浦在这里以8-0大胜瓦尔顿队，开启了其波澜壮阔的征程。

Since then, Anfield has witnessed generations of legends, including Shankly, Paisley, Dalglish, and Gerrard, becoming one of the most prestigious home grounds in English football history.

The Anfield we see today is not the Anfield that Gaio remembers; that was the Anfield that Fenway Sports Group expanded.

It's still the original one built in the last century.

The four stands are full of stories, each carrying a unique history and passion.

The Kop stand is the soul of Liverpool and a symbol of the fans' spirit.

This grandstand, named in honor of the Battle of Spion Hill during the Second Boer War, is the most famous single grandstand in the world.

Originally, this stand had no seats and all fans stood. However, due to the two tragedies, it was converted into a fully seated stand after 1994, but it can still accommodate about 12,000 people.

It remains the gathering place for Liverpool's most die-hard fans.

This is where the song "You'll Never Walk Alone" originated most loudly, and it is the flame that never goes out when the team faces adversity.

The giant banners and constant chants in the Kop stands are a nightmare for any away team player.

There is another stand called the Centennial Stand. I remember that this stand was renamed the Kenny Dalglish Stand in 2017, but it is still called the Centennial Stand for now.

It was named in 1992 to commemorate the club's centenary.

There's also the Anfield Road stand, which includes the away fans' section.

Every opponent who comes here must be prepared to fight amidst the deafening roar of Liverpool fans.

Finally, there's the main grandstand.

This area houses the players' tunnel, the substitutes' bench, the VIP boxes, and the media section.

The players felt the immense pressure and boundless glory brought by the famous sign "This is Anfield" above the tunnel.

Anfield is famous for its unparalleled atmosphere.

Whether it's a match day or a weekday, the fans' chants always echo.

Whenever the song "You'll Never Walk Alone" plays before the game starts, the entire stadium transforms into a sea of ​​red, a powerful and awe-inspiring sight that can instill fear in even the bravest of opponents.

This place is widely recognized as one of the most passionate and intense stadiums in Europe and even the world.

Following the change of ownership, Anfield's future plans have become a hot topic of discussion.

With a capacity of 54074, the stadium ranks only fifth in the Premier League and is no longer able to meet the needs of Liverpool fans worldwide.

A grand expansion plan is about to be announced, aiming to preserve the historical spirit while moving towards a more modern and magnificent palace.

Anfield Stadium, a stadium steeped in 121 years of history, is about to be reborn through the power of money.

This was also part of the promise made by Saudi Arabia when it acquired Liverpool.

Saudi Arabia will invest in Liverpool, bringing them a state-of-the-art training facility and stadium.

Go to the locker room.

Rogers' words interrupted Gaio's thoughts.

Rodgers clapped his hands and said, “Listen, guys, those guys outside are singing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone,’ but we all have to ask ourselves the same question: Does this Liverpool team even deserve this anthem?”

"Stoke City will definitely adopt a defensive stance; they will use their bodies to crowd every inch of space and disrupt every attack with fouls."

Rodgers suddenly pointed at Gerrard: "Steven, I need you to anchor the midfield triangle and use long passes to orchestrate the left and right flanks. Their Nzonzi will stick to you like glue, and you'll need to use your experience to teach him a lesson."

He then looked at Sturridge: "You're in charge of stretching the defense. I want you to keep attacking the area where Huth and Shawcross meet, and draw them out of the penalty area."

During Suarez's suspension, Rodgers had Sturridge play as the center forward.

Rogers also looked at Gaio.

He originally didn't plan to start Gaio so early. No matter what, the team didn't want to parachute in someone with connections like this.

However, after two friendly matches, Rodgers discovered that it was actually quite good.

Having a winger with the ability to solve difficult problems is really great.

So he stopped saying that Gaio wasn't in his plans.

They put Gaio in the starting lineup right away.

“Young.” Rodgers’ voice was calm. “They will foul you, they will pull your jersey, they will show their studs to your ankles, but I want you to keep dribbling past people. The team needs you to break through. I believe their tight defense is nothing to you.”

Gaio nodded.

Rogers then looked at his other teammates and made arrangements for them one by one.

Finally, he said, "Their biggest weakness is their defensive formation!"

He drew a giant arrow on the tactics board. "Change the rhythm! Start slowly and then speed up! Use lateral passes to move them around, and when their legs go weak, that's our chance!"

"Okay, let's go out."

Both teams' players came out to warm up. At this time, Anfield Stadium was not full, with less than half of the fans present.

But the atmosphere is gradually heating up.

Every time Gaio touched the ball, it drew cheers.

For Liverpool fans, five goals and four assists in two friendly matches have truly reignited their hopes.

No one knows whether this 18-year-old can take over as Liverpool's new king as Gerrard ages.

now,

Sky Sports' live broadcast followed Jan Gaio as he warmed up, and veteran commentator Martin Tyler's voice rang out: "What we are seeing now is the focus of discussion in English football this summer - Jan Gaio."

The cheers coming from the Anfield stands were all for this 18-year-old.

He delivered an amazing performance of five goals and four assists in the preseason friendlies, a record that absolutely justifies his €80 million price tag.

However, we must objectively say that these performances were achieved against Greek and Scottish Premiership teams.

As many commentators have pointed out, the defensive intensity and physicality of the Premier League will be a completely different test.

Today, he will face direct marking from Dutch international Peters, which is undoubtedly one of the toughest challenges of his career so far.

The €8000 million price tag is like a heavy shackle, with all of England watching to see how Liverpool's record-breaking investment will pay off.

The pressure is immense, but at the same time—look at these fans who arrived early, waving placards and their eyes filled with anticipation.

Just now, we saw him complete a brilliant rabona pass, finding Gerrard twenty meters away.

Now, another beautiful sudden stop and turn to get past the opponent, the movement is so smooth it's breathtaking.

It must be said that the skill level and composure displayed by this young man are indeed beyond his years.

As the warm-up was about to end, Gaio was the last player to leave the field.

As he ran toward the tunnel, we witnessed a meaningful gesture: he looked up at the Kop stand, smiled, and forcefully patted the Liverpool crest on his chest. This action instantly ignited the entire stadium.

The air in Anfield was boiling.

Everyone is waiting for an answer: can this highly anticipated young man prove himself worthy of the red jersey on the real Premier League pitch?

After both teams returned to the locker room.

Mark Hughes continued to emphasize to the players, "Defense! Remember this clearly: we're playing defense! Then seize transition opportunities decisively! Don't hesitate!"

The Stoke City players listened attentively, eager to bring a fresh perspective to the game.

Stoke City was nicknamed "the Potters".

Its name comes from the long history of ceramic manufacturing in the region where the team is located.

In England, many teams have nicknames that reflect the community they came from.

In the new season, Welsh manager Mark Hughes has taken the helm with a clear goal: not only to lead the team to progress in the new season, but also to lay the foundation for its long-term success.

Looking back at last season, the Potters had a strong start but a weak finish. They went on a ten-game unbeaten run at the beginning of the season, but their form dropped sharply in the second half, and they ended up finishing only 13th in the Premier League, narrowly avoiding relegation by just 6 points.

This result also led to the departure of former head coach Tony Pulis.

The 49-year-old Hughes acted swiftly after taking office, injecting fresh blood into the team's roster in the transfer market.

His actions clearly demonstrate the team's determination to gradually change its previous image of relying on physicality and a rough playing style, showcasing its ambition to seek long-term change.

In defense, Stoke City made their first signing of Dutch international left-back Peters from PSV Eindhoven for €360 million. Peters is currently an active Dutch international.

Now, Peters' most important task in facing Liverpool is to do everything he can to contain Liverpool's most eye-catching new signing, Gaio.

In midfield, there will be few changes for the new season, with Glen Whelan, Steven Nzonzi, and Charlie Adam forming the core.

Up front, with tall striker Peter Crouch potentially transferring to Queens Park Rangers, Hughes hopes to bring in former Manchester City striker Rock Santa Cruz and Bundesliga striker Mladen Josepitch from Hannover 96 to bolster the attack.

However, none of this has been completed yet.

Crouch will also be in the first round of matches. At the pre-match press conference, when asked how to deal with Liverpool's record-breaking new signing Jan Gueye, Mark Hughes said: "We are fully aware of the threat he poses."

His preseason performance has already proven why he is so expensive – he has extraordinary explosiveness, technique and a cool head when handling the ball in tight spaces.

However,"

Hughes then changed the subject, his tone becoming determined, "We are not unprepared. Peters is an experienced and defensively minded guard, and our entire team will work together defensively to put maximum pressure on him."

The atmosphere at Anfield will inspire him, but it will also motivate us.

We will respect him, but we will never be afraid of him.

Our goal is to make a strong impression on him in his first Premier League game.

right now,

Mark Hughes really wanted to show Gaio what the Premier League was all about.

After Hughes finished speaking, he rallied all the players to chant slogans together.

He then walked out of the locker room.

the other side.

Liverpool players, all with determined expressions, headed towards the players' tunnel.

Gaio's gaze swept over the Stoke City players.

Their eyes met.

The other person's gaze wasn't friendly.

Gaio, on the other hand, remained relatively calm.

Inside the players' tunnel, the air was somewhat chilly, and the concrete walls filtered the deafening roar of the outside world into a continuous low-frequency rumble, like the heartbeat of a sleeping behemoth.

Gaio stood in the middle of the line.

He looked up at the gradually expanding rectangular halo at the end of the passage. The red waves of the KOP stands rolled in the light, pouring the song "You'll Never Walk Alone" into the passage like a tsunami.

His gaze swept over the famous "This is Anfield" bronze plaque above the tunnel, the metal surface reflecting the players' swaying red figures.

Gerrard was already waving to his teammates, signaling them to enter the field.

Gaio looked down at the Liverpool crest on his chest, his fingertips tracing the embossed patterns.

The weight of 8000 million euros, the media's skepticism, the watchful eyes of rivals—all of these suddenly seem distant. In their place lies a more ancient weight: the legacy left by Shankly, the miracle of the Istanbul night, and the anticipation of the Kop stands.

The corridor lights reflected two points of burning fire in his eyes.

As he stepped through the passage into the light, he glanced back at the dark passage, as if bidding farewell to his past self.

Then, he turned and walked into the deafening sea of ​​red.

"Geo!"

"Geo!!"

He heard people calling his name from both sides of the passageway.

Gaio walked straight to the court.

To the sidelines.

He instinctively touched the sideline again before stepping onto the field.

A fresh scent of grass filled my nostrils.

Gaio took a deep breath.

If you want to become a legend, start tonight!

As the players entered the field.

Liverpool fans in the stands also began to get excited, with the Kop fans singing the team song at the top of their lungs.

Fans in other stands were still discussing it.

"My God, look at that fancy cross he made during warm-up! I've been watching football at Anfield for thirty years and I've never seen a kid with that skill. It reminds me of young Kenny. Hopefully, this kid will realize that no matter what those bullshit newspapers say, the Kop will always be behind him!"

"Remember what they said in the newspapers? Calling it an 'expensive gamble'! Well, let's go out there and show them that Liverpool is never afraid to bet on talent! Get past them, just like you did with the entire Benfica defense at Bastia! Steven!! Pass the ball to that kid more! Let him feel the trust at Anfield! We need him to integrate as quickly as possible, just like Torres did back then!"

"I hope this kid can withstand the pressure. If he can score a goal or provide an assist today, his debut will be perfect and at least shut many people up."

"This is tough. Look at their starting formation, a 4-3-3. It's clearly designed to counter our defense. Let's see how Gaio handles this situation. It just goes to show that even geniuses need to be honed. If he wants our support, he needs to deliver some performances."

This match is of great interest to far more than just Liverpool fans.

On the French island of Corsica, far from Anfield Stadium, the night in Bastia was also lit up by Liverpool's red.

The same image flashed on countless bar and living room television screens—a live broadcast of Sky Sports.

Sunset Cafe was packed with people.

Mordosso roared, "Quiet down! Our child is about to enter!"

When the television cameras caught Gaio warming up, the entire bar erupted in cheers.

"Look at how he runs! Still so elegant!"

"God bless him. I told him when he left that Corsica would always be his home."

"Don't be sad! He came from Bastia! Every goal he scores will make the world remember our names!"

"No matter what color jersey he wears, he will always be a child of Bastia."

Many people are also paying attention to this game, or rather, to Gaio.

Madrid, London, Paris, Monaco
All of this, all the expectations and doubts, are about to be answered.

In the stands.

The Pierre couple and René stood among the Liverpool fans, watching the enthusiastic atmosphere and excitedly joining in.

Their eyes remained fixed on Gaio.

René also exclaimed, "I never thought we'd have this day."

It's not just about lamenting Gaio becoming a Liverpool player, but also about lamenting their own situation.

The current first-person perspective is still expanding rapidly, attracting the attention of many large investors.

after all,

First-person perspective is currently a definite unicorn website.

Furthermore, his background as a player makes him a promising candidate for future development.

René has already begun recruiting and expanding the company.

Everything is booming.

Pierre also sighed, "Hopefully Yang can score tonight."

"Definitely!" The mother believed in her child and insisted.

On the field.

The players from both sides stood in the center circle, and the match was about to begin.

Martin then introduced the situation of both sides, saying, "The two sides have met 128 times in history, with Liverpool holding the upper hand with 64 wins, 35 draws, and 29 losses, including 55 wins, 32 draws, and 29 losses in the league."

不过进入英超时代的各项赛季交锋利物浦并不占明显优势，12次交手仅取得4场胜利，输掉了3场，就联赛而言10战2胜5胜3负处于下风，最近两个赛季甚至无胜绩，4战2平2负。

上赛季，利物浦在安菲尔德球场与斯托克城互交白卷，延续54年28战24胜4平联赛主场不败战绩；利物浦在客场1-3负于斯托克城。

Liverpool's last league victory against Stoke City dates back to February 2011, when the Reds easily won 2-0. Liverpool had not won their opening match in the previous four seasons.
In this match, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was suspended for eight games due to biting. Among the new signings, the highly anticipated Jan Gueye was included in the starting lineup. Other new signings Mignolet, Kolo Toure, and Aspas also started, resulting in significant changes to Liverpool's starting lineup.

drop! !

Amidst the chants of "You'll Never Be Alone" from the crowd, the referee's whistle blew.

The match has begun!
The passion that Anfield had been building up for the entire off-season erupted in an instant.

boom!
The fans were cheering wildly.

Stoke City's performance at the start of the game was no surprise to Liverpool fans.

Stoke City's formation resembled a moving concrete wall, firmly stationed in their own half.

When Liverpool have possession, they immediately retreat to the 30-meter zone, with almost no gaps between the two tight defensive lines.

This situation was expected by the Liverpool players.

quickly,

Gerrard delivered a long pass over the top from midfield, and Gaio cleverly beat the offside trap.

But the moment he stopped the ball, Dutch international Peters was right there, his strong body pressing Gaio's space without hesitation.

Meanwhile, defensive midfielder N'Zonzi quickly provided cover, forming a double-team.

Gaio tried to turn around, but Peters' knee subtly pressed against his supporting leg, causing him to lose his balance.

"Return!"

Gerrard shouted from a distance.

Gaio managed to pass the ball back to Henderson, who was following up, but he himself was knocked back and stumbled a couple of steps.

An angry chorus of boos erupted from the KOP stands, but the referee made no move.

Liverpool patiently controlled possession, looking for opportunities.

Sturridge dropped back to receive the ball and passed it back to Gaio, who had moved up to the right wing. Gaio received the ball, but this time Nzonzi and Peters came crashing down like tanks, completely blocking Gaio's path.

However, Gaio still used a pull-back turn to feint at his opponent, and then spiked the ball towards the baseline.

This ability to combine ball and player skill clearly made Peters a step slower.

Wow!

In the first half, Liverpool's attack was headed straight for the Kop stands, and Gaião's move received a fervent response from the Kop.

"Gaio! Get past him!"

"Well done!"

Gaio ignored the warnings and continued dribbling towards the baseline while observing the opponent's defensive situation in the middle.

However, Shawcross was prepared. He came to cover as soon as Gaio started to move, his thick thigh blocking the position, while his elbow seemingly unintentionally pushed against Gaio's back, applying a forward push.

Gaio saw that Enzongqi and the others were about to surround him.

He immediately fell to the ground.

drop!
The referee finally called a foul, but the Stoke City center-back just shrugged and looked innocent.

Shhh!!

The KOP fans booed wildly while simultaneously throwing punches and shouting at Gaio.

In such an environment, anyone can easily be swayed by the atmosphere.

Gaio was fouled this time.

The broadcast cameras were specifically focused on Brendan Rogers on the sidelines.

The Northern Irishman had his hands in his suit trouser pockets and his brow furrowed.

He clearly anticipated a tight defense, but Stoke City's execution still exceeded expectations.

On the Sky Sports commentary desk, Martin Tyler's tone turned serious: "This is the Premier League's welcoming ceremony. Jan Gaião is undergoing the brutal test that every technical player must face, how to survive in a jungle of muscles."

But the singing from the KOP stands was still loud and clear.

Liverpool's free kick.

Gerrard came over and stood by the ball, while Gaio stood at the edge of the penalty area.

When the referee blew the whistle, the roar of the fans in the entire Kop stand almost shattered the air: "Steven! Shoot straight at the goal!"

"Blast them away!"

"YNWA!"

The sound waves surged onto the field like a real shockwave.

Gerrard stood in front of the ball, calmly observing the penalty area—Sturridge was tightly sandwiched between Huth and Shawcross, with almost no room to jump.

The shouts of the KOP grew louder and louder.

After the referee saw that there was no problem, he blew his whistle.

drop!
Gerrard took a deep breath and started his run-up!
But instead of shooting, he drew a beautiful arc and lobbed the ball towards the far post of the penalty area!

I'm looking for the Kolo Touré that was installed after the engine was moved.

However, Shawcross anticipated the ball, took two steps back, overpowered everyone, and headed the ball fiercely towards the edge of the penalty area!

While everyone else was still watching the football flying through the air, Gaio had already reacted before anyone else.

He suddenly pushed off the ground and took two steps forward, lunging towards the landing point.

Peters rushed forward to block him, but it was too late—

Even as the football was still falling, Gaio had already adjusted his body into position.

The ball didn't even wait to hit the ground.

He stretched out his arms to maintain his balance, while his left leg swung wildly like a whip.

No ball control adjustments, no hesitation, purely relying on muscle memory and innate instinct—

Bang!
A deep, resounding explosion seemed to echo throughout Anfield!

The football tore through the air like a cannonball, spinning wildly as it hurtled towards the top right corner of the goal!

Stoke City goalkeeper Begovic made a diving save, but the ball was too fast and the angle was too tricky.

The football slammed into the net at the junction of the crossbar and the post!

The net trembled violently from the impact, as if it were about to be torn apart by the force!

1-0!

The ball went in!
In just eight minutes, less than ten minutes, they scored their first goal of the new season!

Anfield fell into absolute silence for less than a second, then exploded with a deafening roar, like a volcanic eruption!
boom! !

It really exploded!

Especially since Gaio's shot was right in front of the Kop stands, everyone could see it very clearly.

A powerful volley!

This is top-level archery skill, pure talent!

The fans in the front row were banging on the advertising boards, and beer glasses were thrown into the air like fireworks, the golden liquid drawing countless shimmering arcs under the lights.

Everyone was shouting at the top of their lungs.

Before this boiling red ocean, Gaio slowly opened his arms.

He tilted his head back, letting the lights shine on his sweaty face, the roar of the KOP stands enveloping him like a warm current.

This 18-year-old boy, like a king reigning supreme, calmly accepted the worship from the stands.

There was no ecstasy in his eyes, only an almost sacred focus.

It's as if to say: This is just the beginning.

Gerald was the first to rush behind him, leaping up and slamming heavily onto his back, yelling excitedly into his ear, "You fucking did it! Kid!"

Sturridge laughed and ruffled his hair, while Henderson rushed over from thirty meters away to join the celebration.

The entire Liverpool bench erupted in chaos!

The players jumped and hugged like children. Rodgers punched hard and then suddenly covered his face, as if he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

It seems like Gaio is really powerful?
At that moment, Rogers recalled his first conversation with Gaio, the words of which made him somewhat embarrassed.

Looking back now, Gaio's statement that he wasn't afraid of competition is indeed true. With that kind of shooting skill, he would be a top finisher on any team!
Mark Hughes, standing not far from Rogers, fell silent.

His brows were furrowed.

He never expected that the team would concede a goal in less than ten minutes.

This was far from what he had expected!

Hughes looked at Gaio, who was surrounded by his teammates and being chanted by fans.

A complex expression appeared in his eyes.

Now it's not him teaching Gaio a lesson, but Gaio teaching them a lesson.

Tell them what top-level shooting skills are.

In the Sky Sports commentary booth, Martin Taylor's voice trembled with excitement, almost cracking: "GOOOAL!!! Jan Gaio! My God!"
I've been commentating on football for forty years, and I've never seen such a perfect Premier League debut goal!

Look at that shot! A volley! The ball flew like a precision-guided missile into the top corner! Begovic was completely helpless! This is the talent worth 8000 million euros! This is why Liverpool risked everything!

Please note this detail: he didn't adjust his footwork at all before shooting! He relied purely on muscle memory and exceptional ball control!
Stoke City's defense was impeccable, employing double-teaming, physical confrontations, and space compression, but geniuses always find a way to break the deadlock!
What's most frightening is that he's more mature than he was in Bastia. In Corsica, he might have needed three chances to score a goal like that, but now, he only needs one shot to decide the game!
Yes!

This was only Gaio's first shot of the game!
Look at the madness in the KOP stands!
The fans practically wanted to lift the stands up!

This is the answer Anfield has been waiting for – a superstar who can ignite the entire stadium with pure talent!

What did Gerrard say when he hugged him? 'Welcome to the Premier League'? No! This isn't the behavior of a newcomer! This is clearly the demeanor of a king arriving!
The other 19 Premier League teams, take a good look at this goal!
Liverpool's new era may have officially begun with this 18-year-old!
This shot will be played repeatedly throughout the season—it's destined to be a candidate for Goal of the Season!
Jan Gaio!
Remember this name!

The most spectacular debut in Premier League history is unfolding at Anfield!

(End of this chapter)