The road to godhood starting from Ligue 1

Chapter 358 The Red Cross Meeting

This was indeed a turning point for both clubs.

The beginning of two new eras.

With the end of Sir Alex Ferguson's 27-year tenure at Manchester United, a great era of the Red Devils has quietly passed.

now,

Countless Manchester United fans are still looking forward to the start of a new era.

But only Gaio knew that the Red Devils that once dominated Europe was gone forever, becoming a yellowed page in the album of memories.

It has become a nostalgic club.

Moyes couldn't reverse the Red Devils' decline, Van Gaal couldn't cure the team's deep-seated problems, and even the Europa League title brought by Mourinho was seen by many fans as Manchester United's last glorious moment.

Old Trafford is still bustling with people, but the heavy crown has long lost its former glory.

In the end, Manchester United even ended up in the relegation zone.

In stark contrast, a quiet transformation is taking place at Anfield Stadium.

The road to revival, which was originally expected to begin only with Klopp's arrival, has now quietly shifted due to the takeover by the Saudi consortium and the addition of Gaio.

Perhaps the outside world has not yet fully realized it, but Gaião is very certain that this revitalized Red Army will show the world how they have returned to the top of Europe.

And this time, the two Reds met.

This will be the first clash of a new era between two of the greatest teams in the Premier League.

Gaio is still looking forward to it.

He hoped a victory would force Manchester United fans to face reality sooner, given the long-standing animosity between the two teams.

When Ferguson took over Manchester United in 1986, he made a bold statement: "My greatest wish in this life is to dethrone Liverpool."

At that time, Liverpool was the absolute dominant force in English football.

They hold 18 top-flight league titles, while Manchester United has only won 7.

The gap between the two teams was huge. At that time, Liverpool's dominance in football was like a mountain pressing down on Manchester United, and Manchester United could only wait for a chance to turn things around in the trough.

Ferguson's arrival became the turning point in this feud.

He cultivated the "Class of '92" golden players through youth training, and changed the team's tactics, reshaping Manchester United's style of play.

In the 1992-93 season, Manchester United won the Premier League title for the first time. From this point on, the "Red Devils Dynasty" was no longer a team following in Liverpool's footsteps, but a challenger who gradually took away Liverpool's dominance.

They persisted for almost 20 years, and in 2011, Manchester United finally surpassed Liverpool's 18 titles with 19, turning the "throne change hands" into reality.

After winning the title, Ferguson made no attempt to hide his joy, saying directly, "I really wish I could personally hang the 'Manchester United's 19th title' banner at Anfield!"

These words contain both a counterattack against Liverpool's long-term dominance and the pride of a generation that has rewritten the landscape of football.

The rivalry between these two teams extends beyond the field; the competition between their fans goes even deeper.

Back in 1994, Liverpool fans taunted, "Come and talk when you've won 18 titles!"

In 2011, Manchester United fans secretly sneaked into Anfield and hung up a banner that read "Manchester United 19 Titles".

This was like a slap in the face to Liverpool, with even Ferguson tacitly approving of this somewhat "outrageous" celebration.

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville went even further: "If anyone finds the Liverpool scarf that Liverpool fans buried under the pool at my old house, they should burn it."

Every provocation and confrontation between the two teams only strengthened their bond.

This deadlock is actually a continuation of the centuries-old conflict between the two cities of Manchester and Liverpool.

The two cities began competing during the Industrial Revolution.

Manchester rose to prominence through its cotton textile industry, becoming the core of the world's factory, exuding a pioneering and enterprising industrial spirit.

Liverpool, with its port advantage, controls maritime trade and exudes the pride and indomitable spirit of a port city.

Back then, due to canal taxes and resource disputes, the conflict between the two cities spread from the economic sphere to all aspects of daily life.

Manchester United perfectly embodies Manchester's spirit of "breaking the old order and striving for advancement," while Liverpool symbolizes the port spirit of "holding onto glory and never bowing down."

Football became the best stage for the two cities to compete.

Even though Manchester City has risen in recent years and taken away the Premier League's dominance, Manchester United remains Liverpool fans' number one rival.

The rivalry between these two teams over the past few centuries is not just about who has more championships than whom, but also a clash between two different city spirits and two different football cultures.

This feud is no longer just simple "hatred"; it's like a deep imprint, letting football seep into our bones and becoming the faith of every fan.

so far.

Liverpool's record against Manchester United is not favorable.

这场比赛将会是第188次英格兰国家德比，前187次利物浦62胜51平74负处于劣势，其中联赛53胜44平63负。

双方最近5次交锋，利物浦1胜1平3负，唯一胜利是在2012年1月28日，当时利物浦在足总杯赛事中主场2-1获胜，此后联赛均以1-2比分连输三场。

It could be said that playing at home gave Gaio even more reason to win.

A new era, a new look.

As the team's most expensive signing in history, he has to do something.

and,

According to the English media outlet The Mirror, this match has a positive aspect for Liverpool.

Rooney, who had just recovered, is injured again.

Before the international break, Manchester United players were training at the Carrington training ground when Wayne Rooney collided with Phil Jones, causing Rooney to suffer a head injury that required as many as 10 stitches!
Rooney's injury is a blow to Manchester United, especially since he was in good form in the match against Chelsea, and was the best player in that game.

It should be noted that Rooney's head injury requiring stitches was only a superficial wound, and he only needed to rest for 10 days before returning to play. However, the time he missed due to the injury was precisely when Manchester United and England needed him the most, which can be described as a cruel twist of fate.

Another British newspaper, the Daily Mail, reported that Rooney was originally a key member of Moyes' starting lineup for the Manchester derby and would start, but with Rooney's injury, the Scot had to make changes to the starting lineup. Manchester United legend Giggs may be included in the starting lineup to form a trident with Welbeck and Van Persie.

Regarding Manchester United's injury situation, Moyes gave some specific details: "We have very few injured players, Rafael is one of them, Evans got a game to play, which we think is what he needs because he missed preseason, Nani has been training more and he is close to returning, Hernandez has a problem with his Achilles tendon, but he has been training for three or four days and he is in much better condition."

Moyes added, "Therefore we are very close to having a full squad, perhaps only Rafael will be absent."

Rafael's absence is also a major loss for Manchester United.

Last season, when Manchester United visited Anfield, Rafael performed exceptionally well. His goal helped United equalize and set the stage for Van Persie's penalty shootout victory against Liverpool.

Of course.

Manchester United gave up Rooney and Rafael.

Liverpool also have Suarez on the stand.

It still has some impact, more or less.

However, with Gaio joining the team, the impact wasn't particularly significant.

Liverpool have won both of their first two Premier League matches this season, marking their first such strong start since the 1994/95 season. This also means Liverpool have been at the top of the table for the first time in over 1600 days. If we only consider the time it takes to reach the top after a single round, the last time Liverpool topped the table was in January 2009.

The last time, they lost the league title because they were overtaken by Manchester United after a series of draws.

It's like catching up on both old and new grudges.

If Liverpool can defeat Manchester United, they will have their best start in 19 years.

Prior to this, Moyes managed Everton, a fierce city rival of Liverpool. He led Everton to 12 visits to Anfield, failing to secure a single victory. His record in those 12 matches was 7 draws and 5 losses. It remains to be seen what outcome Moyes will achieve on his 13th visit to Anfield, but the odds are much better this time. Previously, he was managing Everton; this time, he's leading the defending champions, Manchester United.

Additionally, it's worth mentioning that...

In the history of the English derby, or the "North-West Derby", Manchester United's George Wall has scored the most goals, with 9 goals in 12 games. Liverpool's Farsau ranks second with 8 goals in 8 games, and Manchester United's Pearson is tied with him with 8 goals in 16 games.

Gerrard has scored 7 goals in 30 Merseyside derbies so far. If he can score again, he will have a chance to rise to second place in the derby top scorers list, second only to George Wall.

There's also the appearance record.

Giggs continues his record in the Manchester derby; if he plays, it will be his 47th appearance. Carragher and Scholes, who are second with 33 appearances each, both chose to retire in the summer.

With Rooney unavailable, Van Persie will undoubtedly be the center forward.

Robin van Persie has scored 14 league goals this year, and in the entire Premier League, only Aston Villa's Benteke has scored more with 17 goals.

Including his 4 goals in 3 games this season, Van Persie has scored 11 goals in 10 games across seasons. It was the Dutch striker's high goal-scoring rate that ensured Manchester United's strong performance at the end of last season.

Robin van Persie's goal-scoring rate remains incredibly high this season, and he will be aiming for his third Premier League Golden Boot, having won it in the past two seasons.

Robin van Persie not only boasts an incredible goal-scoring rate, but he's also a Liverpool nemesis, scoring four goals in three consecutive matches against Liverpool while playing for Manchester United and Arsenal.

All these data.

While Gaio was still on the plane, he already knew everything through media reports.

after all,

This match is among the most popular in the Premier League right now.

Aside from the team itself.

The players are definitely the focus of the media's attention, and Gaio has also seen a lot of reports about himself.

Merseyside's New Weapon: How Gaio Became the Biggest Variable in the Merseyside Derby

"This French prodigy, who just scored a crucial goal in the World Cup qualifiers, will experience the smoke of the English national derby for the first time. His dribbling ability is a nightmare for Manchester United's aging defense, and his ability to remain calm under pressure is the most scarce quality in such a life-or-death match."

He washes away the shame of 19 titles! Gaião carries the hopes for the Red Army's revival.

“Anfield has now found its true ace. When Gaio dribbles forward, what he is moving is not just the ball, but the entire city’s desire for glory.”

as well as,

Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler also analyzed in the pre-show: "Data shows that Gaio has completed an average of 5.3 successful dribbles per game this season. This statistic is exactly what counters Manchester United's slow-moving central defensive pairing. What's even more frightening is that he has just shown a top-level and stable performance for the national team. His consecutive last-minute goals for both club and country have made him even more calm and composed. This is Manchester United's biggest enemy!"

Manchester United legend Gary Neville warned in his column: "We must double or even triple-team Gaio, otherwise he will make our defenders look like cones on the training ground. But the danger is that once we focus too much on him, Liverpool's other attackers will get space."

Actually, these are considered relatively good.

Gaio couldn't help but think that it was fortunate that the current Manchester United manager was Moyes, a relatively low-key and reserved coach.

If it were Van Gaal, or even Mourinho, it would be different.

He couldn't even imagine how much fun would come before the match.

This thought occurred to me.

Gai is already thinking about how much media will be excited about the upcoming Liverpool vs. Chelsea match. Mourinho will definitely make some outrageous remarks, and with Gai's own involvement with Chelsea, all these things combined will make a big difference.

The media loves to see this!

soon.

When the plane landed.

The arrivals corridor at Heathrow Airport was filled with the smell of rain in the damp air.

Gaio, dragging his suitcase, looked at the gray sky outside the glass curtain wall and said to Giroud beside him with a wry smile, "To be honest, I always feel depressed when I come to England. The sunshine and sea breeze in Bastia now seem like a luxury."

Giroud zipped his jacket all the way up and shivered. "Well, when I first arrived, I tried to find a decent piece of Brie cheese in the supermarket, but all I found was a bag of industrially produced Cheddar. These days are tough."

Kanté followed closely behind them.

For Kanté, life is no worse than before, and he is content.

The three stopped at the fork in the road.

Giroud suddenly dropped his joking expression and nudged Gaio with his shoulder: "See you next league match, but let's make a deal," he winked, "remember to hold back when you shoot, give us some face. The professor has always wanted to sign you, but unfortunately Arsenal really doesn't have the money right now."

Gaio laughed and punched Giru in the chest. "Then just do your best."

With that, Gaio said seriously, "Olivier, take care of yourself."

“You too.” Giroud gave Gaio a tight hug and whispered in his ear, “Next week, let those guys at Manchester United see what the French captain is all about. I’d love to see you beat them up.”

Giroud then hugged Kanté and said, "Let's go, you silent type."

Kanté grinned and nodded.

Gaio still had a smile on his lips as he watched Giroud walk toward the Arsenal airport bus.

As he turned to walk toward the plane bound for Liverpool, his phone vibrated. On the screen was a message from Giroud: "If you beat Manchester United, remember to treat me to that damn French restaurant!"

Gaio laughed again.

London suddenly didn't seem so bad in the rain.

the next day.

Melwood Training Base.

It was a rare sunny day in Merseyside, and Gaio felt much better when he arrived at the training ground.

Humans really can't live without the sun.

Thinking about it this way, he understood why the incidence of depression was so high in Scandinavia. They don't see the sun for most of the year; who wouldn't be depressed in that situation?

Upon entering the changing room, sunlight streamed through the blinds, scattering across the floor.

"Hey! Our hero is back!" Gerald's voice rang out as Gaio pushed open the locker room door.

Henderson, who was closest to the door, immediately stood up, walked over, and gave him a big hug. "Young, that shot of yours was absolutely insane! I almost spilled my beer all over myself in front of the TV!"

The atmosphere in the locker room immediately became lively.

Gerrard put his arm around Gaio's shoulder and joked, "Looks like your French team is the most glamorous team during this international break."

He was referring to England's lackluster performance, despite a 4-0 victory over Moldova, they drew 0-0 away to Ukraine.

“But now,” Gerrard changed the subject, his expression becoming serious, “we’re all back at the club, and next week’s Manchester derby will be the real battle.”

Skrtel slammed his fist on the wardrobe: "This time, we're going to teach Manchester United a lesson they won't forget!"

The Slovakian has recovered from his injury and will be available for this match after missing the first two.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Rogers will definitely start him.

Henderson chimed in, "Leave the midfield to me and Steven; we'll get the ball steadily up the pitch."

As he spoke, he looked at Gaio and said, "As for scoring, that's up to you."

“Young,” Gerrard said, looking directly into Gaio’s eyes, “Manchester United’s defense is most afraid of players like you who can break through and shoot. If you can tear apart their defense like you tore apart the Belarusian defense, maybe we will have a chance to break them down.”

Gaio looked around at his teammates' expectant eyes and nodded solemnly: "I will make Manchester United's defenders remember this night."

Gerrard nodded. "Remember, this isn't just about three points. That old man has finally left Manchester United. We've been waiting for this kind of turnaround for far too long, from his era until now!"

"Must take it!"

The entire locker room erupted in enthusiasm.

indeed,

This isn't a battle for three points at all; it's proof of a new era for Liverpool!

The day.

Liverpool have started training.

When Rogers arrived at the training ground, he didn't say much, only succinctly stating, "You all understand the importance of the next game, train hard!"

"Yes!"

After the warm-up training.

They quickly started playing in groups, which was the fastest way to familiarize themselves with the tactics.

As time went by.

The scrimmage was at a crucial point when Gaio gently feinted past Henderson's challenge with his left foot, leaned to the side, and instantly created space before flicking the ball towards the center of the penalty area with the outside of his left foot.

Sturridge found space with his footing and fired a shot towards the far corner, but the ball grazed the outside of the post and went wide.

A gasp of surprise erupted from the crowd.

Sturridge gave Gaio a thumbs up and shouted, "Young! That was a perfect pass! I was just a tiny bit off!"

Gaio raised his hand to give a "received" gesture, then bent down to adjust his socks.

The assistant coach on the sidelines specifically shouted to Gaio, "Young, Evra will deliberately let you cut inside, and then intercept the ball when you pass it. Next time you retreat two steps back, Henderson will help you cover the right flank, don't give them the chance to pass to Van Persie."

Gaio nodded, picked up the ball and ran back, when he caught a glimpse of Gerrard standing in midfield directing his teammates to adjust their positions, "Close the gaps! Don't leave anyone open in the middle! Manchester United will attack behind the defense!"

Rodgers stood on the sidelines with his hands in his coaching pockets, holding a tactical board on which Manchester United's defensive flanks were circled in red.

When the assistant coach blew the timeout whistle, he walked to the middle of the players and placed the tactical board face down on the grass: "Come and take a look. With Rooney out of Manchester United, their attack will rely more on Van Persie's central support and overlapping runs on the wings. So we need to do two things: first, use Gai's breakthroughs to tear open their left flank; second, have Daniel hold the center-backs in the middle."

He pointed to the red arrow on the tactics board, his gaze sweeping over Gaio: "Yang, when Evra faced speedy wingers last season, he was used to using his body to block them rather than tackling them. You two are teammates on the national team, so I believe you are familiar with him."

Therefore, you should make more use of changing direction and rhythm.

Just like you did when you got past Henderson, the first step is to accelerate past him, then either cut inside and shoot, or send a through ball to Daniel.

I know defense isn't your strong suit, but Henderson will cover behind you. All you need to do is track back and disrupt them immediately after losing possession, preventing them from easily launching counter-attacks down the flanks.

Gaio listened attentively.

He nodded to indicate that he understood.

Gerrard patted him on the shoulder and said, "Relax. You've adapted to the pace of the Premier League as soon as you arrived. Your efficiency of 5 goals in 2 rounds speaks for itself. Manchester United can't stop you. And Daniel is in such good form this season. Our attack is going to suffocate them."

Rodgers picked up the conversation, his tone becoming a bit more serious: "I know everyone remembers the taste of losing to Manchester United last season, but this time it's different. We have the impact that Young brings, and the cooperation between Daniel and Steven."

"We practiced crossing from the flanks dozens of times in training, and we practiced Gaio cutting inside and then passing the ball, all so that we could break through their defense tomorrow."

He crouched down and drew defensive routes on the tactics board with his finger: "Skrtel and Agger should watch out for Van Persie's late run-up; he'll look for gaps after Gaio gets back to defend."

But as long as we keep pressing, Manchester United's midfield can't produce comfortable long passes.

Steven, you need to win the first ball in midfield more often, get it to Young or Filipe as quickly as possible, and attack their turns.

Sturridge then spoke up: "Coach, tomorrow I can drop back more to receive the ball and help Young draw a center-back away, giving him more space when he cuts inside."

Rogers nodded: "Yes, your attacking play is getting smoother and smoother, which is our biggest advantage."

The sunlight was still dazzling.

Gerrard picked up the ball first: "Come on! Let's practice another set of attack and defense! Tomorrow we'll show Manchester United who the red king of the Premier League is!"

The players' shouts instantly filled the training field.

As Gaio dribbled towards the wing, sunlight fell on his running silhouette, and his number 10 jersey fluttered slightly in the wind.

Like Liverpool's pent-up energy, time slipped away during training.

The external disturbances have not diminished at all.

Even Ferguson, who had recently retired, was stopped by reporters for an interview.

His interview video has been widely circulated online.

The topic naturally revolves around the upcoming Manchester derby, or more precisely, the French teenager Liverpool signed this summer for 80 million euros.

When asked about his opinion on Gaião's performance since joining Liverpool.

Ferguson said, "You've all seen it, haven't you?"
This kid has the quality to change the game. I've watched his games in Bastia, from Ligue 2 to Ligue 1 and then to the Europa League. He's not the kind of player who can rely on talent to get by. Oh, of course, his talent is enough for many people to get by for a lifetime.

For example, his grip on the ball, the change of rhythm when cutting inside from the right flank, and the audacity to deliberately dribble past the last defender when he should have passed the ball—he's very much like a young Henry, but even more daring.

He paused, a hint of regret in his voice: "Last winter, my scouts gave me a report saying that there was a French kid in Bastia who was worth our money."

Back then, when I was still in charge, I specifically watched his matches, not just his goals and dribbling, but also his changes off the field. You all know his past troubles: prison, contract termination, bad temper, but in his two seasons with Bastia, he underwent a complete transformation.

When pressed further by a reporter, "If you were still managing Manchester United, would you have tried to sign Gaio?"

Ferguson smiled, the wrinkles around his eyes crinkling together, revealing a touch of old-school manager's assertiveness. "Try? No, I will have to sign him."

Eighty million?
For an 18-year-old prodigy who can play as a winger on both sides and also as an attacking midfielder, and who already understands team football, this is not an exorbitant price, but a bargain.

Just think about it, what does Liverpool's attack look like right now?

Sturridge draws the defense in the middle, while Gaio can dribble and pass on the right flank, and also pull up to the middle for a long-range shot to score.

This kind of player is the tactical core that every coach wants. I've noticed that some people in France criticize Deschamps for having a "Gaio dependency," so I might have a similar "genius dependency."

"If I were still at Manchester United, I would have my assistant coach spending every day in Bastia until he's brought to Old Trafford. I would never let him wear Liverpool's red jersey, never."

When the topic turned to the upcoming Manchester derby, Ferguson's tone became serious, less casual, "What Manchester United needs to be wary of now is Gaio."

He's not the kind of player who gets stage fright; he gets more excited in the bigger the game. Look at his performance in the Europa League final and in the French national team matches—he never disappears in crucial games.

Liverpool's home atmosphere is crazy, and Gaião will take advantage of that atmosphere to play even better.

I need to remind the Manchester United lads not to try to stop him with individual defense; they need to rely on the team, to cut off his connection with Sturridge, Gerrard, and others, otherwise it will be very troublesome.”

Finally, the reporter asked, "Do you think Gaio can become the next Ballon d'Or winner?"

Ferguson said confidently: "If he can maintain his current mentality, of course he can. He has the talent, he has the technique, and now his experience as captain of Bastia and the French national team has added a sense of teamwork and responsibility, which are essential qualities for a Ballon d'Or winner."

But right now, I'm more concerned about Sunday's game. I hope the Manchester United lads can perform well and not let that French kid shine too brightly at Anfield.

at the same time.

As the competition draws ever closer.

Online, Manchester United and Liverpool fans are already arguing heatedly.

"80 million for a winger who only knows how to attack? So what if he has 5 goals in two Premier League games? He's like a wooden stake when defending! Evra will exploit his weaknesses on the flanks, and we'll intercept the ball and launch counter-attacks! Besides, Liverpool hasn't touched a Premier League trophy in over 20 years, and Gaio's arrival won't change their trophyless fate!"

"All you can do is attack? At 18, you led the French team to the World Cup qualifiers with 14 goals in 7 games, qualifying them directly for the World Cup. You can find another captain-level performance like that, with 5 goals in two Premier League games? Without Ferguson, Moyes can't even control the dressing room. With Rooney injured, it's all Van Persie's responsibility. You're bound to collapse sooner or later!"

“Gaião is too lazy to even run back when defending, that's his weakness! We cut off his passing lanes in midfield, and Van Persie is waiting to launch a counter-attack, we'll definitely blow them up.”

"Do I need to tell you that their defense is bad? But with 5 goals in two Premier League matches and 14 goals in the World Cup qualifiers, Moyes couldn't stop them even if he wrote ten tactical notebooks! Without Rooney's attack, how can Manchester United's defense withstand Gaio's breakthroughs?"

"Stop hyping up the World Cup qualifiers, they're all just bullying weak teams! Clubs and national teams are not the same thing, are they? Liverpool only relies on Gaio to blunder, if they really touch Manchester United's defense, they'll be finished!"

"A sieve? You haven't seen how he thrashed defenders with 5 goals in two Premier League matches! He led France straight to the World Cup in the qualifiers, and he had the talent to be captain at 18. He had these stats at 18, while your Van Persie was still playing in the Eredivisie at 18! Evra to defend him? First, think about how not to get beaten! He's a substitute in the national team, and Gaio took the captaincy. Evra, my foot."

The fans were furious.

However, the players were relatively restrained, and in the pre-match interviews, both teams mostly talked about the game itself.

Try to avoid stirring up trouble.

9 month 14 number.

The day before the highly anticipated "North-West Derby" in the third round of the Premier League.

Under the lights of a Manchester United press conference.

Moyes remained calm.

"We don't need to shy away from Gaio; he is one of the most dazzling young players in European football right now."

Moyes’ voice came through the microphone, his gaze sweeping over the reporters below the stage: “In the past two seasons, he has proven that his talent is not accidental, from Ligue 2 to Ligue 1 to the Europa League.”

His rhythm on the flanks, his vision in the final pass, and his composure in crucial matches are all qualities of a top player.

I've watched his game footage from last season with Bastia. He can find gaps in a tight defense and also break through the defense with his individual ability. A player like that will definitely cause trouble for any opponent.

He paused, tapping his finger on the table: "But we made targeted preparations."

Evra and Smalling will keep a close eye on his movements, and the midfield will also provide support and cover. Gaio is not a player who can be completely contained by one-on-one defense; he needs teamwork to compress his space.

But I must say, respect doesn't mean fear. Manchester United's defense has seen it all; we know how to handle threats like this.

When discussing the significance of the Manchester derby, Moyes' tone became more traditional: "This match has never been just about three points for Manchester United and Liverpool."

Fans expect us to show the fighting spirit of the Red Devils, the spirit of never giving up. Gaião is an important player for Liverpool.

But Manchester United's strength lies in their teamwork; everyone is eager to prove themselves in this derby.

A reporter asked whether he would draw on Ferguson's assessment of Gaio.

Moyes nodded slightly, but maintained his stance: "Sir Alex's judgment is beyond doubt, Gaio is indeed worth pursuing by top teams."

But now I'm the manager of Manchester United, and my job is to lead this team to beat Liverpool with Gaio. We're not thinking about 'what would happen if he came to Manchester United,' but rather focusing on 'how to contain him in tomorrow's game.'

At last,
His tone hardened: "Our fans will still be sitting at Anfield tomorrow to support us. We will meet the challenge with focused defense and efficient attack. Gaião is excellent, but Manchester United has only one goal: to win this derby and move on with three points."

the other side.

Rogers also appeared relatively calm, showing none of the solemnity expected before a major battle.

"The derby never requires any extra mobilization; it's a feast for the fans and a stage for us to prove ourselves."

Without Luiz, our attacking system definitely needed adjustments, but Young provided the answer with 5 goals in two rounds. His speed, dribbling, and final pass have become key weapons in our attacking line.

We will maximize Yang's threat on the flanks.

Manchester United's loss of Rooney is a significant blow, but Van Persie remains a top striker. Our center-backs need to stay focused at all times and not give them any space to counter-attack.

The Anfield fans will be our twelfth man, and tomorrow we will carry their expectations and play the Liverpool style of football.

This game isn't just about three points; it's about continuing our good momentum and showing the fans how this team is growing. We're ready, and now we just wait for the game to begin.

9 month 15 number.

This day was anticipated not only by the entire city of Liverpool and Merseyside.

And the eyes of all England fans are focused on Liverpool.

Countless opinions and rumors have spread.

Until——

As the twilight glow bathed the red brick walls of Anfield Stadium in a warm golden light, the surrounding streets were already awash in red.

In front of Shankly Gate, hundreds of Liverpool fans held up scarves printed with "YNWA" and hummed along to the melody of "You'll Never Walk Alone" playing over loudspeakers.

The song carried far on the evening breeze, and even the hot dog stand on the street corner swayed its tongs to the rhythm.

Fans wearing red jerseys crowded both sides of the road.

Some wore Gaio's number 10 jersey over their windproof jackets, some held up signs that read "Yang, silence Manchester United," and others painted Liverpool's crest on their faces and gestured the three-point mark to passing Manchester United fans.

Several teenagers climbed onto the roadside railing, held up their phones and pointed them towards the stadium entrance, occasionally turning back to shout, "The bus is almost here! Wait a little longer!"

Two blocks away from the stadium, a growing cheer erupted in the distance.

Liverpool's team bus was slowly approaching, its red exterior bearing the words "Liverpool Football Club" in white lettering, and silhouette posters of the players adorning the windows.

As soon as the bus rounded the corner, the fans on the roadside erupted in cheers. Some chased after the bus, some threw scarves out the windows, and others held up a model of Gerrard's captain's armband, shouting, "Steven! Win!"

The bus was moving slowly, and the players could be seen through the windows: Gerrard leaned against the window, waving to the outside, while Gaio sat in the back, smiling and giving the fans an "OK" sign.
Sunlight streamed through the car windows onto the players, igniting an even louder roar from the fans outside.

Security personnel jogged along both sides of the bus, separating the crowded people, but they couldn't stop the fans' shouts.

"Geo!"

"We must score!"

As the team bus approached the players' entrance, the chanting in front of Shankly's gate suddenly intensified, and hundreds of red scarves were raised overhead simultaneously, resembling a surging sea of ​​red.

The moment the bus stopped, the doors opened, and Rodgers was the first to step off, wearing a dark suit and nodding to the fans.

Next up was Gerrard, who high-fived the fans in the front row, followed by Gai.

As soon as Gaio stepped out of the car, he was surrounded by shouts of "Gaio! Gaio!" He smiled and took a scarf from a fan, draped it over his shoulder, and followed Gerrard toward the players' tunnel.

Scattered chants came from the Manchester United fan section in the distance, but were quickly drowned out by the singing of Liverpool fans.

In the nearby Boot Room pub, fans clinked glasses, their conversation revolving around questions like "Can Gaio get past Evra?", "How do we defend against Van Persie's counter-attacks?", and "How many goals can we win today?"
Old George has been listening to fan discussions for decades, from the time he opened the pub until now.

But this time, it's so different.

Gaião was like sunlight piercing through the gloomy clouds, shining on the land of Liverpool and into the hearts of every Liverpool fan.

Old George smiled slightly.

He turned to look out the window.

As the sun gradually set, the lights of Anfield lit up one by one, illuminating the stadium like a red castle.

The cheers and songs surrounding the castle were gradually pushing the atmosphere of the Reds-Reds match to its peak.

This emotion intensified as the players warmed up on the field!

Every time Gaio touched the ball, it brought cheers from the fans in the stadium.

now,

Sky Sports has already started broadcasting it.

Martin Tyler also said with great emotion, "Listen to the cheers!"

Anfield responded to just a warm-up move – that's how much Yangaio means to Liverpool fans right now.

At 18 years old, with a transfer fee of 8000 million euros, everyone questioned whether it was worth it, but he turned all the doubts into applause with his efficiency of 5 goals in the first two rounds of the Premier League and his performance of 14 goals in 7 games in the World Cup qualifiers, leading France directly to the World Cup.

Look at that touch he just made; the ball seemed glued to his foot. That control over the ball, even during warm-up, shows the makings of a genius.”

soon.

As the warm-up ended.

The players from both sides returned to the locker room for final preparations.

The lights in Liverpool's dressing room were almost blindingly bright.

Rogers stood in the middle, tapping his fingers lightly on the tactical board. "Let me emphasize three points. First, Young, Evra will stick to you very closely. Use your first step to accelerate and change direction more often. Henderson will follow behind you to cover the gaps. Don't worry about the defense."
Second, Daniel, in the middle, held off Ferdinand, waiting for his cross;

Third, remember Anfield's voice; they are our twelfth man.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone: "This is no ordinary match, it's the Manchester derby. Show the same spirit you put into training and win these three points."

Gerrard was the first to stand up, picked up the captain's armband from his seat, and slowly wrapped it around his left arm. His voice was deep and powerful: "Guys, we lost here last season, and we're going to get our revenge today. Young just arrived and won two games against us. Now it's our turn to fight him. Look at the fans outside, they've been waiting here since the afternoon, just to see us win."

The teammates nodded.

Gerrard raised his hand, and everyone instinctively gathered around, their palms overlapping.

"Liverpool!"

He uttered the first shout.

"Liverpool!" the players responded in unison, pressing their palms together firmly, with Gaio's voice mixed in, clear and resolute.

Finally, Gerrard said, "Let's go, let's show them who the real owners of Anfield are."

As Gai followed Gerrard toward the players' tunnel, he glanced back at the red markings on the tactical board as they passed it. Next to Evra's name, Rodgers had written a small "rhythm change".

He smiled and quickened his pace to catch up with the group.

Cheers from the fans could already be heard outside the tunnel.

They surged forward like a tide, pushing them toward the stadium.

The air in the players' tunnel felt increasingly suffocating.

Anfield's lights were already leaking through the crack in the door at the end of the passage, mixed with the faint but surging cheers.

soon.

As the referee, Mari, entered the field.

Gerrard stepped out of the tunnel first, followed by Gaio and his teammates.

The moment he entered the stadium, Gaio felt the roar of the entire arena crash down upon him.

It wasn't a sound, it was a real vibration.

Gaio even felt the grass beneath his feet tremble. Countless red scarves were raised above his head in the stands, like a surging red sea. The cheers, mixed with the heat, hit his face, almost blinding him.

Shouts of "Steven! Steven!" echoed around Gerrard, who could hear the screams of the fans around him with every step he took.

Gaio's gaze swept across the stands.

A fan held up a huge number 10 jersey; several teenagers in the front row pressed their faces against the advertising board and shouted at him: "Gaio! Get past their entire defense!"

"Gaio, another hat trick!"

"Gaio, you are our hope!"

Others held up signs in both English and French that read "From Ligue 2 to Anfield, you are a miracle," the fervor of which was almost palpable.

This passion and enthusiasm permeated the air.

When Gaio reached the sideline, he instinctively bumped against the sideline again.

The moment he stepped onto the lawn, the cheers at Anfield suddenly changed—louder and more intense than before, like thunder exploding in his ears.

He paused instinctively, turned to look at the stands, and was met with a sea of ​​waving arms. Someone shouted in French, "Gaio, keep it up!"

These scenes unfolded before my eyes.

It brought to mind the dream he had described of being in prison—a dream in which he, with a broken leg, could only watch others play football through a wire fence.

That wasn't actually a dream.

But regardless, he now stands under the lights of Anfield, surrounded by cheers from tens of thousands of people.

Gaio took a deep breath, his chest filled with the scent of grass and the rich, passionate energy in the air.

He raised his hand and waved towards the stands, a simple gesture that drew another round of cheers, with some fans even excitedly banging on the advertising boards.

He walked toward his teammates who were lined up.

Evra walked among the Manchester United players and glanced at Gaio as he passed by.

He looked solemn.

He knew Gaio's abilities all too well. Looking at the roaring crowd at Anfield, he could only hope that Gaio would give him some face tonight.

The cheers at Anfield were still echoing in the stands.

The players were lined up along the center circle, their handshakes carrying the tension characteristic of a derby match.

The coaching bench area on the sidelines, however, seemed to have been muted.

The two managers, Rodgers and Moyes, stood a few meters apart on the edge of the bench, their solemn expressions contrasting sharply with the fervor around them.

Rodgers didn't move around as frequently as usual; he just hunched his back slightly, his eyes fixed on the Liverpool players on the field, especially Gaio.

On the other hand, Moyes exuded a different kind of calm tension.

He subconsciously tidied his hair, his suit jacket was lifted by the wind, but he didn't bother to fix it.

His gaze swept across Manchester United's defense like a searchlight, from Evra to Vidic, and then to goalkeeper De Gea.
With each player he looked at, his lips tightened even more.

The echoes of "You'll Never Walk Alone" still linger at Anfield, and the cheers can still lift the roof off.

But in the world of these two coaches, it seems that there is only the game itself.

They stood on the edge of this red frenzy, their silent solemnity preparing them for the upcoming 90-minute battle.

soon.

The pre-match ceremony has ended.

Everyone stood in the center circle, waiting for the match to officially begin.

Referee Marina also appeared somewhat nervous.

This match is extremely important.

The attention it's getting is too high!

At this moment, Martin Tyler kept saying, "Look at this small area in the center circle, it's like the heart of the entire Premier League now."

Marina adjusted his whistle again; even a seasoned referee like him couldn't hide his tension in a situation like this.

There's no way around it, this match is just too important, important enough to affect the course of both teams' entire season, important enough that hundreds of millions of eyes around the world are watching the Anfield pitch!
Let's take a look at the key players on the field.

Gerrard's captain's armband was clearly visible under the lights; he knew better than anyone that Anfield needed a victory to continue their attacking momentum.

Van Persie stood at the edge of the penalty area, his fingers unconsciously tapping his thigh. He was Manchester United's most formidable attacking force today.

As for Gaião, the 18-year-old Frenchman, standing on the center circle of the Manchester derby for the first time, his eyes showed no hesitation. In this match, he would face Evra's close marking and the attention of Manchester United's entire defensive line.

Everyone was waiting for that whistle to sound!
Marina took a deep breath. The whistle was about to blow!

The highly anticipated Manchester derby, which fans around the world have been waiting for for two weeks, a battle for honor and the course of the season, is about to begin!
Will Liverpool break through Manchester United's defense with Gaião's explosiveness, or will Moyes' team be able to hold on for the win away from home?
We'll wait and see, listen—

The broadcast gave Marina a close-up; he took a deep breath and blew his whistle.

The voice sounded.

drop! ! !
Martin Taylor's tone instantly became incredibly high-spirited—

"The whistle has blown! The match has officially begun!!!"

(End of this chapter)