The road to godhood starting from Ligue 1

Chapter 349 A Taller Maradona and Messi
After the match restarted, Liverpool, who had a large lead, played with more composure.

Stoke City's players were clearly hesitant, especially when facing Gaio. Their previous aggressive tackles turned into cautious marking, as if they were afraid of giving the dangerous Frenchman any reason to retaliate.

Regarding Gaio's penalty kick.

Many people actually think he intentionally targeted Shawcross, because slow-motion replays show that Gaio's shot was neither low nor high.

It's right at the player's waistline.

Football fans know very well that defenders have a very difficult time dealing with this kind of ball.

Watching Shawcross being carried off the field on a stretcher.

After watching the replay, one fan commented, "This ball was neither too high nor too low. If it were low to the ground, a defender could easily block it with their foot; if it were a high ball, it could be easily cleared with a header. But it was precisely at this awkward waist height that if you blocked it with your hand, you would commit a foul and get injured; if you blocked it with your body, it would be difficult to block in your lower back. Was Gaio just lucky? I think most likely not."

Meanwhile, in the Boot Room pub, a gathering place for fans, the air was thick with smoke and the place was bustling with noise.

The beer glass slammed heavily onto the wooden table, making a loud thud.

"It was intentional! I'd bet my entire season's worth of beer that he did it on purpose!" Sean roared, slamming his fist on the table. "Look at the trajectory of that ball! He was aiming to make Shawcross suffer! That butcher deserved it!"

A chorus of agreement erupted in the tavern.

Mick laughed and said, "Haha, do you really think he's a good boy just because he was polite in interviews, arrived early and left late for training, and smiled innocently at the camera during his two years in Bastia and after coming to Liverpool?"

The tavern quieted down, and everyone looked at him.

Mick looked around: "Have you all forgotten who he is? Forgotten his past? Should we dig out the French L'Équipe article again, haha?"

A fan next to him immediately said, "No need to watch, I already knew. From the moment Shawcross tackled Gaio, I knew this wouldn't end so easily."

Gaião, a product of Clairefontaine, later joined Chelsea's youth academy. Back then, as a young lad, he directly confronted and argued with captain Terry. If Drogba hadn't pulled him away, they would have almost come to blows.

However, in the same year, he brutally beat up his Russian teammates in the youth academy, resulting in his expulsion from Chelsea. After returning to France, he was imprisoned for robbery on his 17th birthday.

Mick laughed again, "Listen to this! Talking back to Terry! Beating up a teammate! Robbery! What kind of guy is this? He's a typical 'street thug,' a tough character on the football field! That idiot Shawcross, thinking he's bullying a pretty boy from Ligue 1? He's just provoking a wolf in sheep's clothing!"

These words plunged the tavern into a brief silence.

Another fan murmured, "Now that you mention it, it's true. He's been so low-key since he arrived; you couldn't tell at all."

"Can't you tell?" Mick laughed. "He's grown up and become smarter. His success in Bastia and his experience in prison may have taught him to hide his fangs, but don't touch his sore spot!"

You kicked him dirty, launched a flying tackle and didn't stop, trying to cripple him?

"Fine, then he'll retaliate in the most direct, brutal, and unforgiving way possible. This ball is his answer! You want to play dirty? I'll play along, and I'll play on a more sophisticated level!"

“So this isn’t out of control,” Mick concluded, his eyes gleaming. “It’s a calm act of revenge. How dare Shawcross? He probably thinks times have changed and bad boys are extinct, but he’s wrong. We at Liverpool may really be welcoming a combination of angel and devil.”

The tavern erupted in noise again, but this time the focus of the discussion had shifted from "Shawcross deserved it" to astonishment and speculation about Gaio's complex personality.

"A prodigal son returns? Perhaps, but he hasn't lost any of his ruthlessness," someone remarked.

“That’s better!” Sean exclaimed excitedly. “We need gentlemen, but we need even more warriors who can roll in the mud and terrify their opponents! William the Conqueror doesn’t show courtesy to his enemies when he’s at war!”

“Gaio the Conqueror.” Mick savored the nickname, a knowing smile spreading across his face. “This nickname sounds even more fitting now. Conquest isn’t just about scoring goals.”

Old George smiled as he listened to these words; in his eyes, a good player was never one with a good personality.

Otherwise, why would Manchester United fans love their king, Cantona, so much?
And Gaio, this French boy, seems to have somewhat curbed his violence. Old George just hopes that Gaio has truly grown up.

Don't expose your fangs unnecessarily; the way it's handled now is excellent.

They like players like that!
In the Boot Room Tavern, the debate over whether Gaio is a "prodigal son who has turned over a new leaf" or a "ruthless man in disguise" is reaching a fever pitch.

On the television screen, a Liverpool attack instantly captured everyone's attention.

"Look at this! Gerrard's through ball! Henderson!" a fan shouted.

Henderson, understanding perfectly, darted into the penalty area. Facing the incoming ball, without adjusting, he unleashed a clever flick with the outside of his foot! The ball arced over the despairing Begovic and slammed into the inside of the left post!

Bang!
A muffled thud came through the television screen as the football plummeted, bounced, and was cleared by a panicked Stoke City defender, Huth.

"Did the ball go in?!"

The tavern erupted instantly! Almost everyone jumped up from their seats, waving their fists, and beer glasses rattled loudly.

"It's in! It's absolutely fucking in!" Sean roared, veins bulging on his neck, spittle flying everywhere.

"That's a 100% goal! The goalkeeper didn't even touch it, the bounce was definitely over the line!" Mick also lost his composure, pointing hard at the screen.

"Well done, Henderson!"

Cheers and whistles echoed throughout the pub, as if the fifth goal had already been decided.

however,
In the footage, the referee did not point to the center circle, but instead made a strange gesture: he pressed his earpiece and stared intently at his wrist.

The cheers in the tavern seemed to be abruptly cut off.

"What is he doing?"

"The watch... is it that newly fitted 'Hawk Eye'?"

"No way, this goal can be dropped?"

Uneasy whispers replaced the revelry.

Just then, the 3D animation trajectory generated by the "Eagle Eye" system clearly appeared on the television broadcast signal.

The cold blue lines mercilessly show that the entire football still has a tiny bit of it pressing on the goal line.

"NO GOAL——"

The commentary's voice and the referee's crossed and waving arms appeared simultaneously on screen.

"Hold!"

"Damn it! What kind of rubbish system is this?!"

"Millimeter level? That's fucking amazing?!" Sean slammed his fist on the table in anger, causing his wine glass to jump.

The tavern was instantly filled with a wave of disappointment and anger.

Martin Taylor's voice rang out at just the right moment, drowning out the complaints from the pub: "A clear verdict! A historic verdict!"

The Premier League made a crucial ruling in its first use of goal-line technology!

Using fourteen high-speed cameras installed around the goal, the 'Hawk-Eye' system precisely calculated that the ball had not completely crossed the line!

Look at this replay, it's indisputable!

Despite the Liverpool players, including Henderson himself, firmly believing the goal stood, technology provided the fairest answer.

The camera panned to the court, where Henderson held his head in his hands, his face a mixture of ecstasy and utter despair, culminating in a helpless, bitter smile.

Captain Gerrard was the first to calm down. He patted Henderson on the back, quickly nodded to the referee to show his understanding, and then waved away his teammates who still wanted to argue: "It's over! Get back to the game! Keep going!"

Gaio patted Henderson on the shoulder to comfort him, saying, "It's okay, Jordan, there's still a chance."

Henderson nodded.

In fact, his situation in Liverpool was not easy.

Since joining Sunderland for a high price in 2011, he has never been able to completely shake off the doubts of some fans and media.

He was criticized for lacking flair in his running and creativity in his passing, and people felt he didn't deserve a starting position in Liverpool's midfield, even labeling him as "mediocre."

This summer, Rodgers even considered using him as a bargaining chip to exchange for Fulham midfielder Kranjcar.

The immense pressure, like an invisible boulder, weighed heavily on the young player's shoulders.

Every mistake, every poor performance, will be scrutinized under a magnifying glass.

Therefore, he longed for such an opportunity to prove himself.

Gaio knew perfectly well what kind of resilient energy and leadership qualities his teammate, who was currently facing much doubt and even some confusion, possessed.

He knew that Henderson would not just be a competent Liverpool player in the future; he would become the captain of this great team and the leader who would lead the team to the top of Europe. His running, his tackles, and his inexhaustible fighting spirit would be one of the team's most valuable assets.

Of course.

After Gay joined the team, he only recognized Gerrard as captain, and Henderson would at most be vice-captain.

Anfield Stadium was engulfed in a frenzy of boos.

The fans weren't buying it.

But this goal-line technology has finally been officially implemented in the Premier League, which can be considered as the beginning of a new era for the Premier League.

After all, England itself has suffered from the goal line issue in the World Cup.

Lampard's shot at the South Africa World Cup still leaves England fans feeling uneasy.

Liverpool are still besieging Stoke City.

They all hope for a good start to the new season.

Four balls?

It's not over yet.

The opportunity Gaio spoke of has reappeared!
Seventy-second minute.

Gerrard received a pass from his teammate near the midfield line. After a brief observation, he saw Gaio making a forward run down the right flank.

A precise low through ball pierced through Stoke City's midfield defense and found its way into Gaio's running path.

Gaio easily led the ball forward.

at this time,

Stoke City's left-back Peters appeared to be under pressure, retreating as he fought, while Nzonzi quickly moved to that side, attempting to form a double-team.

Based on the fans' previous impressions, this was the perfect opportunity to break through two opponents and showcase individual abilities, and expectant whistles had even been heard from the Kop stands.

But this time, Gaio observed the situation and did not choose to act recklessly.

He first pretended to cut inside, using a realistic shoulder drop to trick the defender into shifting their center of gravity slightly, but then gently flicked the ball outward with the outside of his right foot, seemingly to accelerate down the wing.

This simple change immediately drew the full attention of both defenders, who instinctively tightened their defensive space, blocking his routes to cross or continue his breakthrough.

however,
In that split second, Gaio displayed a basketball IQ beyond his years.

He didn't blindly force crosses, nor did he obsess over individual breakthroughs.

His peripheral vision caught a glimpse of a red figure stealthily advancing down the middle lane—it was Sturridge!

Just as the defender's center of gravity was completely drawn to him, Gaio steadied himself on his supporting foot, and his right ankle made a very subtle twitching motion as he touched the ball.

Instead of a powerful pass, it was a delicate and precise right-footed lob pass!

The football drew a beautiful arc, gracefully soaring over the heads of all the Stoke City defenders who had retreated to the edge of the penalty area, like a precise scalpel, falling straight into the brief gap near the six-yard box line.

The ball landed perfectly, leaving goalkeeper Begovic in a dilemma.

At that moment, Sturridge, who was running at full speed, understood perfectly. He hardly needed to adjust his steps and dived to the top while running at full speed!

Swish!
The ball hit the net!
5-0!

The entire offensive process was smooth and seamless.

Gaião assists, Sturridge scores!
After scoring, Sturridge excitedly pointed at Gaio and ran over to him. Sturridge put his arm around Gaio's neck and shouted excitedly in his ear, "Beautiful pass! You! That was such a perfect pass, it made shooting a real pleasure."

Gerrard ran over, reached out, and ruffled Gaio's sweaty short hair. "Good pass. I thought you'd go down the wing yourself and get them a red card."

Gaio laughed and pointed at Sturridge, "That was Daniel's goal, don't blame me."

Hahaha!
His teammates all smiled.

After celebrating with his teammates, Sturridge turned to the Kop stand and stretched out his hands in celebration.

Martin Tyler's voice was full of admiration, "The fifth goal! Daniel Sturridge! A brilliant header!"

But let's take a closer look at the root of this goal – what did Gaio do?
When Gerrard's pass found him, Stoke City's defensive focus had completely shifted towards him.

Given his hot streak and strong confidence today, we might expect him to attempt another one-on-two breakthrough and solve the problem with his individual ability.

But this time, he chose a completely different approach, one that might make his next move even more unpredictable to his opponents.

Look at this touch: first, a feint to cut inside, which convincingly deceived the defender's center of gravity, then a deft flick to the outside, successfully pinning two defenders firmly in front of him, creating the most valuable time and space for Sturridge's run.

And that last one wasn't a brute-force cross, but a light and precise lob pass that soared over the heads of all the defenders, landing in an impeccable spot!
This goal speaks volumes more than his four goals combined.

what does this mean?
This means that Liverpool now has not only a single explosive player who can break through the defense on his own, but also an attacking core with a top-notch footballing mind!

How will a right winger who can dribble, shoot, and now we see him passing so well change Liverpool's tactical landscape?

How many of these opportunities will he create for Sturridge, and for Suarez who will contribute to his eventual return from suspension?

He transformed Liverpool's attack from a 'two-wing attack' to a multi-dimensional system full of endless possibilities.

What should the opponent do?
When you face him, if you shrink your defense and are wary of his cut-in shots, he will punish you with a surgical pass, just like he did.

If you assign a large number of players to double-team him, it will inevitably leave an opening on the other side, and players like Gerrard, Aspas, and even Coutinho on the bench will never let such an opportunity pass.

This is a difficult tactical problem to solve!

A perfect debut, beyond words.

Four goals, one assist, and the composure and football intelligence he displayed beyond his years in that assist.

Premier League coaches, from today onwards, you must write this name in bold in your study notes – Gaio the Conqueror.

Liverpool's title hopes have been completely transformed by his arrival.

now,

On the sidelines, Rogers, David Dunn in the stands, and Abdullah and others from Saudi Arabia were all applauding continuously.

For Gaio, and for Liverpool's future!

They couldn't help but exclaim, "This is truly an amazing player."

Rodgers felt he might be wrong, terribly wrong, because Gaio wasn't one of the players he had planned for, but this happiness came too suddenly.

Some things overturned his expectations.

Maradona?

Messi?

No, this is Gaio!

A taller, faster, all-around winger!

Rodgers also thought that Gaio could also play on the left, but it was a pity that Gaio was a little weak in physical duels and not good at heading, otherwise he would be an all-around striker.

They can do it all – pull to the sidelines, hit in the middle, they can do it all!

But Rodgers isn't worried because he has Sturridge and Suarez.

With Gaio on the team, he is even more confident that Suarez won't leave so soon. Liverpool now has money, a core player, and a future.

He couldn't understand why Suarez wanted to leave.

David Dunn's thoughts drifted back to North London.

He recalled the days when he brought Wenger back, brought back many star players, and created an unbeaten season.

That's the exhilarating feeling of building the foundation of a dynasty.

But now, in Merseyside, he felt an even stronger, more turbulent wave.

Gaio is not just a simple shooter or explosive point; he is a tactical "efficiency amplifier."

His presence amplified the threat of Gerrard's passing, Sturridge's runs, and even Henderson's late runs.

"A championship contender?"

Dunn's lips curled up slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile.

With Suarez suspended and the team's performance fluctuating last season, it is widely believed that Liverpool's goal this season should be to finish in the top four.

But Dunn's ambitions went far beyond that.

In the 75th minute of the match, the fourth official held up the electronic number board on the sidelines.

The bright red number "10" was particularly eye-catching under the lights.

Rodgers made a protective substitution, replacing Gaio, who had played an outstanding game.

The cheers spread like wildfire to every corner of the stadium in an instant.

Applause, as clear and continuous as thunder, quickly swept across the entire Anfield.

When Gaio saw the substitution board, he walked to the sidelines and gently touched the red team badge on his chest.

He waved towards the stands, acknowledging the fans who were chanting his name wildly.

This subtle movement provoked an even stronger uproar.

Every Liverpool player along the way came up to him to hug and high-five him.

When he finally reached the sideline and high-fived Coutinho, who had come on as a substitute, head coach Rodgers opened his arms and gave him a big hug.

Rogers' face beamed with joy. "You've exceeded everyone's expectations."

Gaio nodded and smiled slightly.

With the final twenty-five minutes, the outcome of the match was no longer in doubt.

The 0-5 scoreline was like an insurmountable chasm standing in the way of the entire Stoke City team.

The Stoke City players on the field were merely mechanically performing defensive actions; their attack had long since lost its structure and spirit.

Mark Hughes stood on the sidelines, hands in his pockets, his face so dark it seemed to drip water; he had given up on any unrealistic fantasies.

Anfield, meanwhile, was engulfed in a continuous celebration.

The number "5" on the scoreboard was like a medal of honor, illuminating the face of every Liverpool fan.

The songs rose and fell, with "You'll Never Walk Alone" being sung loudly time and time again.

The television broadcast cameras also know exactly who the absolute protagonist is today.

Even though Gaio was already on the bench with a towel draped over his shoulder, the camera would still frequently focus on him.

Close-up shots captured him chatting and laughing easily with his teammates.

Martin Taylor's voice rang out at the right moment, "The game is about to end, but the passion at Anfield has not diminished at all."

The camera once again found today's absolute protagonist—Gaio.

He sat there quietly, but you could still feel his powerful aura.

Let me say it again, it was a perfect Premier League debut.

It's so perfect it's almost unreal.

Four goals and one assist, directly involved in all five goals.

In the long history of the Premier League, and even the First Division, we have never seen such a dominant debut performance.

For Liverpool, this is a dream start, but for the other title contenders in the Premier League, a serious question has arisen: when Liverpool has a 'conqueror' capable of single-handedly deciding the course of a game, are you ready?

drop! !

When the referee blew the final whistle.

Martin Taylor raised his voice: "The game is over!"
Liverpool thrashed Stoke City 5-0!

But this day was destined not to be an ordinary victory; it belonged to only one name—Gaio the Conqueror!
Goodnight, from Anfield!

At Anfield, very few fans got up and left immediately when the game ended.

They remained standing in the same spot, facing the lawn where a legend had just been born, as if on a pilgrimage.

The enormous roar did not dissipate, but transformed into a more sustained and rhythmic cheer.

"Li-ver-pool! Li-ver-pool!"

The shouts were deafening.

The Kop stand is the beating heart of the entire stadium.

The red scarves were waved like a surging ocean, and every face was filled with almost manic joy and pride.

Fans hugged each other and patted each other's backs, sharing all their emotions in that moment.

The players did not immediately return to the locker room.

After celebrating with each other, they lined up and walked side by side toward the KOP stands, bowed deeply, and applauded in thanks.

This is an Anfield tradition, but today's greeting is filled with an extra layer of excitement.

When Gaio appeared in the queue, the decibel level in the entire stadium instantly reached its peak.

"Geo!"

The shouts were pure and powerful, like the most intense flames, sweeping through every inch of air.

Gaio clapped his hands vigorously, looking up at the red stands that were going crazy for him and worshipping him as a hero, his eyes burning with passion.

He is no longer the boy who just arrived and needed to prove himself; he is the hero of this sacred land!

He raised his hand, pointed to the stands, and then slammed it heavily on the team badge on his left chest.

This action once again drew a thunderous response.

The song "You'll Never Walk Alone" rang out again, even more majestic and powerful than at the beginning.

This is not just a song; it is a declaration of faith and a continuation of the Red Army's bloodline.

The songs echoed between the ancient stands and lingered in the Merseyside night sky, announcing that the Red Army's dormant ambitions were being gradually awakened.

The lights illuminated the stadium, blending with the night and casting long shadows on everyone.

For the Liverpool fans in the stadium, this was more than just the end of a match; it was the beginning of a story they would tell again and again about "being there."

They witnessed history.

Even after the players disappeared into the tunnel, the singing and cheering from the stands continued for a long time.

No one wanted this perfect night to end like this.

Anfield, this sacred temple of football, is ignited by passion tonight, and the one who ignited it is a French boy named Gaio.

After the game.

At Stoke City's press conference, Mark Hughes naturally had to take responsibility for his pre-match comments.

English journalists are never going to miss out on such a hot topic.

When reporters inevitably brought up his pre-game statement that he would "teach Gaio a lesson" and asked him to comment on Gaio's performance, Hughes took a deep breath, his tone stiff and full of helplessness.

"Congratulations to Liverpool, they played an extraordinary game today, we were completely defeated, there's no argument about that."

Yes, I did say something about Gaio before the match.

But clearly, it was us who got the lesson today—me and my players.

You have to admit that when you're facing a player who can score four goals in a game and also provide such assists, any pre-game plan can become meaningless.

We tried to limit him, but he was on another level.

After today, no one will discuss whether the figure of 80 million euros is worthwhile.

Liverpool have acquired a player who can decide the league title.

This is reality.

When pressed by reporters about whether he regretted his tactical arrangements, Hughes became somewhat agitated, saying, "When one of your players breaks his arm while trying to defend him, and another player gets beaten like a marker on the training field, how can you set up a tactical play?"

Sometimes, you have to simply admit that you are facing an extraordinary genius who can single-handedly destroy everything you have meticulously planned.

This is no excuse; we played terribly.

But Gaio amplified any opponent's poor performance tenfold.

That's the impact of top players.

In stark contrast to Mark Hughes' somber demeanor, Rogers entered the press conference with a smile, striving to control his emotions and appearing calm and pragmatic.

When asked if this meant Liverpool were title contenders, he immediately became very cautious: "No, no, no."

We must remain calm and realistic.

The league title is not decided by a single game, even if it is a very, very exciting game.

This is just the first of 38 long marathons.

We've shown great form and tremendous potential, but what we need to do is maintain this performance and keep this hunger and focus every week.

This is just the beginning, a very good beginning, nothing more.

Regarding Gaio's performance, Rogers couldn't suppress a smile: "What can I say about Gaio? His performance today was phenomenal."

He integrated perfectly into the team's system and developed excellent chemistry with his teammates.

He is a very, very special player, and we are delighted that he chose Liverpool.

When the reporter directly posed a pointed question: "Brendan, regarding Shawcross's broken arm, some people believe that Gaio's shot was intentional. What's your opinion?"

Rodgers' expression immediately turned serious. He leaned forward slightly and said firmly, "Regarding Ryan's injury, on behalf of the club, I wish him a speedy recovery. Nobody wants to see a player get injured."

However, the claim that Gaio did it intentionally is completely unfounded and an insult to his professional ethics.

The situation was that Gaio was going all out to take a shot, which is a striker's instinct.

The situation on the football field is ever-changing. In that situation, players will only think about hitting the ball towards the goal. It is impossible for them to think about how to hurt the opponent.

It was a very, very unfortunate accident, nothing more.

If you know Gaio, you'll know he's a kid with a pure love for football.

He came here to play football, not to hurt anyone.

To describe this accident as 'intentional' is a very irresponsible speculation, and I completely disagree with that statement.

Let's leave it at that. We should be discussing football itself, not these unfortunate incidents.

Rogers then answered a few more questions.

The atmosphere at the press conference was initially very lively, but when a reporter asked captain Gerrard, who was also present at the conference, a sensitive question, the room fell silent for a moment.

"Steven, Gaio made history today, but he refused all sideline interviews after the game and is not here now. We've noticed that he rarely gives media interviews, he's very low-key, even a bit mysterious. Is this a team protection strategy, or is he just naturally reluctant to interact with the outside world? Is the team worried that this will affect his interaction with the fans and even the entire Premier League?"

All eyes were on Gerrard.

Rogers also turned to the side, giving the captain the opportunity to answer.

Gerrard showed no sign of embarrassment. He calmly picked up the microphone, looked at the reporter who asked the question with a calm and firm gaze, and gave a smile.

"First of all, I'm glad you asked about football, and not some other far-fetched speculation."

His words were a veiled reference to the previous questions about Shawcross, reiterating that they were all irrelevant speculations.

Gerrard has been in the Premier League for so many years, doesn't he know what these media outlets are thinking?

Any ambiguous answer you give will likely be twisted into something they use to fabricate a story.

He then continued, "As for why Gaio isn't here, let me put it this way: right now, he should be sitting in the physiotherapy room recovering, or he should be in the locker room reviewing some details of the game with the research team. That's him."

I understand that your media needs stories and voices.

But some people only need to make their voices heard on the court to be loud enough.

I think he made himself very clear during the 75 minutes of today's game, a million times clearer than anything he could say sitting in this room.

He's not a fan of flash photography, so what?

Some of our young men like to be active on social media, which is great.

But Gaio came to Liverpool to play football, to win games, and to achieve something special with this team.

His entire focus is on becoming better and helping the team. Isn't that the most important thing?

Fans don't care how many interviews he's given.

All they care about is whether he can bring them joy, pride, and victory when he's on the field, just like he did today.

And today, he has achieved the ultimate.

You heard the KOP stands chanting his name; that's the best form of interaction and recognition.

Therefore, we will not force him to do anything that makes him uncomfortable.

As the captain of the club, I, along with all his teammates, will protect him and allow him to focus on what he does best—football itself—in the most comfortable environment.

This is the most responsible thing to do for him and the team. As for the Premier League and the outside world…

Gerrard smiled at the end, "I think after today, they'll have plenty of time to get to know him on the pitch, once a week."

That would be more direct than any press conference.

After daily training, preseason games, and this match, Gerrard has long regarded Gaião as the future core of Liverpool.

So at this moment, how could he possibly give these troublemaking reporters even the slightest opportunity to distort or sensationalize Gaio's image?
He knew perfectly well what these reporters wanted—they wanted to dig into Gaio's mysterious background, to sensationalize his outrageous past, and to entice him to say something that might cause controversy.

They didn't care if this would hinder a genius's development; they only cared about headline sales.

This is the English media!

Gerrard was a Liverpool man, a Liverpool player, and a survivor of the Hillsborough disaster.

He also harbored deep hatred for certain media outlets, particularly The Sun.

Therefore, he strongly supports Gaio and the media staying away.

But these guys will be like disgusting maggots clinging to your bones, you'll never be able to shake them off.

Of course,
There are also some media outlets that are slightly more normal.

For example, Sky Sports immediately published a headline article after the broadcast ended—

"Gaio: Make 8000 million euros look like a small amount of change!"

If anyone questioned Liverpool's €8000 million transfer fee for an 18-year-old before the match, those questions were completely drowned out by the deafening roar of "Gaio" at Anfield after 90 minutes of play.

This is a debut that deserves to be recorded in Premier League history.

French winger Guéão delivered a stunning performance in his first official appearance wearing the number 10 jersey for Liverpool: four goals and one assist.

He almost single-handedly tore the defenses of Stoke City to shreds.

What level of performance are we talking about?

On social media, some have begun to compare him to players like Maradona and Messi—not in a simple sense, but in terms of the kind of impact that allows a player to completely change the character of a team and drive the entire audience wild during a match.

But Gaio is so different; he has a physique and impact that are more in line with modern football, as if he has injected the delicate skills of Maradona and Messi into a taller physical frame.

Looking back at his trajectory before joining the Premier League: he led Bastia from Ligue 2 to the Ligue 1 title within two years, and even miraculously won the Europa League.

Now, he seems to be bringing the same miracle script to Merseyside.

Tonight at Anfield, there is only one main character.

When Gaio was substituted off the court, the entire stadium rose to their feet and applauded, with songs resounding throughout the stadium.

This is not just about a victory, but also about the birth of a new hero.

8000 million euros?
After such a phenomenal performance, it doesn't look like a sky-high transfer fee, but rather an investment in a future dynasty.

Behind the cacophony of Liverpool’s citywide celebrations, Gaio returned to his residence in the Carlton Apartments.

Finally, a rare moment of peace was attained.

In Melwood, he and his teammates celebrated again.

This time, he no longer felt the politeness of a newcomer, but a heartfelt and complete acceptance.

His teammates looked at him with admiration, even a tacit recognition – everyone had a feeling that this French boy would become the team's future core.

No one felt any envy at that contract, which far exceeded the team's top salary.

His stunning performance of four goals and one assist perfectly demonstrated the value of his talent.

Someone jokingly remarked, "I think Gaio is way better than Rooney, who also earns $30 a week!"

This remark drew a knowing laugh and a wave of agreement.

Gaio took a moment to look at his winning points.

This game has been increased by 20!

comfortable.

It really does take a high level of intensity to win. Compared to Ligue 1, which only adds three or four points, the Premier League is much better for racking up points!

Just as Gaio was about to rest, an unexpected phone call came in.

(End of this chapter)