The road to godhood starting from Ligue 1

Chapter 374 A Ballon d'Or nominee who has never played in the Champions League
The score of 4-2 came in the 90th minute, completely shattering the spirits of Manchester United fans.

at this moment,
Even a draw became a luxury, and the clamor at Old Trafford was like an electric current that had been suddenly cut off.

The first stand to quiet down was the West Stand, which should have been the most concentrated area of ​​Manchester United die-hards, but at this moment it was as if the pause button had been pressed.

A banner that read "Glory Glory Man United" was held up, frozen in mid-air. The fingers slowly loosened, and the banner slid down the arm to the ground, but no one bent down to pick it up.

A young fan who had been jumping and chanting Rooney's name just moments before was now resting his hands on his knees, his head bowed low, and you could see his shoulders twitching slightly.

The 4-2 scoreline and Gaio's four goals were like the last straw, breaking his high spirits throughout the game.

The old fan next to me sighed. He wasn't looking at the field, but staring blankly at the banners that were gradually falling away in the stands. He didn't even bother to furrow his brow.

People started getting up and leaving from the south stand.

His steps were light, unlike the hurried pace he usually takes when he loses a game; it was more like he was dragging his leaden legs as he moved.

There was a father and son. The father was holding the son's hand, and the son was holding a small flag with De Gea's image on it, but he didn't wave it anymore. He just asked softly, "Dad, did we lose?"

The father didn't say anything, but simply pulled his son closer to him, quickened his pace, and his figure quickly disappeared into the shadows at the entrance of the passage.

More and more people stood up, and the red-clad crowd slowly moved towards the exit, the empty seats in the stands spreading out like ripples on water.

The stands, which were just a moment ago full of people, were suddenly filled with empty seats, like bald patches, which were painful to the eyes.

Some people remained in their seats but stopped watching the game.

A middle-aged man stood with his arms crossed over his chest, staring at Gaio's figure on the grass. His lips moved as if he were cursing something, but no sound came out.

The anger was gone from his eyes, replaced by a deep sense of powerlessness.

The female fan next to me took out a handkerchief and wiped her eyes. She wasn't crying; it seemed more like she was trying to hide something. She turned her face to the outside of the stands, avoiding the direction of the field. She didn't even want to see Gaio being surrounded by his teammates celebrating anymore.

Occasionally, shouts of "trash!" would escape from a corner of the stands, but they were quickly swallowed by silence.

The lights at Old Trafford were still blindingly bright, shining on the half-empty stands, on the Manchester United fans who were still sitting or standing, and on their faces, revealing the weariness and despair they couldn't hide.

Ferguson was sitting there.

His expression froze.

His thoughts were racing. He recalled that when he was a coach, he had seen countless talented young players, but only Gaio could tear Manchester United's defense apart with four goals at Old Trafford.

His lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

Ferguson could see clearly as fans began to get up and leave.

A little boy in a red jersey was being carried by his father towards the exit, looking back at the stadium with a blank expression in his eyes.

Ferguson watched the child's retreating figure, his gaze softening slightly, but he still didn't move.

He has managed Manchester United for 27 years and has seen countless defeats, but this loss made him both heartbroken by the team's collapse and amazed by Gaião's talent.

finally.

He watched Liverpool's celebration and sighed.

On the field.

Just seconds after Gaio opened his arms, his teammates rushed up to him.

Sturridge was the first to move, diving behind Gaio to protect him and yelling, "Are you fucking crazy! Bringing him from the penalty area into the penalty area! Four goals! Gaio! Are you a monster?!"

Gerrard followed closely behind. The Liverpool captain, who had just run back from clearing the ball from the penalty area, forgot his usual composure and rushed to Gaio, patting him on the back. He stared into Gaio's eyes and roared, "Beautiful! That was fucking beautiful! It killed the game! We won!"

He then smiled and pressed Gaio's head onto his shoulder, as if to confirm that this was not an illusion.

Kante was the fastest runner. This young midfielder, who had just come on, had been fighting tooth and nail to win the ball in midfield, but now he was like a child, crashing into the crowd from the side and behind, panting and grinning, barely able to finish his sentence: "You're too fast! I couldn't even catch up with you when you were running."

Gaio hugged him.

He grinned too.

He hugged and high-fived each of his teammates, celebrating.

Liverpool's bench was in complete chaos.

Lucas had just finished wiping his sweat on the bench when he saw the goal and jumped up and rushed onto the field.

Sterling, who was warming up on the sidelines, rushed towards Gaio, shouting "Gaio! Gaio!"

Even the usually serious assistant coach rushed a few steps, stood on the sidelines clapping and laughing, and hugged Rogers in celebration.

Everyone's face was filled with excitement.

It couldn't be stopped.

They won!

This season has only been going on for a little over a month, and they've already defeated Manchester United twice, once at home and once away!

"Goal! My God! Goal! 90 minutes! 4-2! Gaio! Gaio has scored four goals!"

The commentator's voice, as if struck by lightning, instantly rose to a shaky high, "Did you see that? From their own penalty area to Manchester United's penalty area! This is no ordinary counter-attack!"

This is an 18-year-old boy sprinting with all his might!

Look at that run! There was no hesitation, the pace was so fast that the Manchester United midfielders had no time to react.

Finally, facing De Gea, that powerful shot! How calm he was! Any other player might have panicked in such a final moment, after all, a one-on-one situation is the easiest time to score, but also the easiest time to concede a goal.

But he used such an extreme method to send the ball into Manchester United's goal!

This isn't luck, it's real strength!
It's a maturity and ruthlessness that shouldn't be present in an 18-year-old player!

Happy Fourth of Year!
Do you know what this means?

Since the inception of the Premier League, no 18-year-old player has ever scored four goals in such a derby match away from home!
Gaio isn't just playing football today, he's rewriting history!

The first three goals were already amazing, but for the fourth goal, he insisted on making a run across half the field to tell everyone that he can not only score goals, but also carry the team forward when the team needs him most!

How fierce was Manchester United's comeback just now?

wave after wave of attacks left Liverpool breathless!
But Gaio's goal completely extinguished all the flames!
The 4-2 scoreline wasn't just a simple lead; it was the fiercest response to Manchester United's relentless attack!
Listen to Old Trafford now. The stands were just boiling over a moment ago, but now only scattered sighs remain. The shouts from the Liverpool fans' section have drowned out everything else!
That's the power of a superstar—one goal can change the atmosphere of the entire stadium!
I'm still shaking!
I can hardly believe what I'm seeing. This goal will become one of the brightest marks in Gaio's career, and a classic moment that will be forever remembered in the history of the Manchester derby!

Two games, seven goals!
Gaião's goal tally in the history of the Manchester derby is second only to George Wall, equaling that of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

Gerrard scored seven goals in 30 Manchester derby matches.

But Gaio only needs two games!
At the age of 18, he has such a strong heart, such skill, and such explosive power. His future is simply unimaginable!
This is Gaio, the 18-year-old red legend, who was officially born at Old Trafford tonight.

Carragher roared, "YES! YES! My fists are clenched so hard they're about to break!"

This kid turned the game into his own stage with four goals!
That sprint he just made—from our penalty area to Manchester United's penalty area, he ran over 70 meters!

This is Liverpool's good fortune!

Is this the legendary forward we've been waiting for all these years?!

Do you remember?

Who was the last Liverpool player to score a hat-trick in the Merseyside derby?
It's Gaio.

Now Gaio has broken his own record, raising the bar to a Grand Slam!
The fact that he can maintain such sprint intensity for 90 minutes shows that his physical fitness and concentration far exceed those of players of the same age.

I'm shaking all over. As a Liverpool fan, witnessing this moment tonight is even more exciting than when I won a game myself. Gaio's name tonight will be etched in the hearts of Liverpool fans and will never be forgotten!

Carragher's words were sincere.

He's really regretting retiring now; he retired too early!

If he had known that Liverpool would be so strong in the new season and that their defense was indeed short-handed, he should have stayed for another season.

And at this moment,
The moment Gaio blasted the ball into the net on TV, the Boot Room pub exploded!

Crazy!
Just like countless other Liverpool pubs, everyone was partying!

The tavern exploded like a powder keg, instantly turning into a sea of ​​red.

"A quadruple! It's a quadruple!"

Ted cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "Gaio! 18-year-old Gaio! The King of Old Trafford!"

Old George couldn't hold back any longer; his mind was in turmoil.

Staring at Gaio, who was surrounded by his teammates on TV, he suddenly said in a trembling voice, "I've watched Liverpool for decades, and I've never seen anyone score four goals against Manchester United in an away game like the Merseyside derby!"

He found that his hands were also shaking.

He thought he wouldn't get so agitated anymore.

The pub's stereo was turned up to the maximum, and as soon as the intro to "You'll Never Walk Alone" started, everyone began singing along.

Someone was shouting at the top of their lungs, completely off-key.

Someone had their arm around a stranger's shoulder, and they were humming together with their heads close together.

Even the usually quiet bartender put down his glass and stomped his feet to the rhythm, making a "thump-thump" sound on the floor, as if he were keeping time for Gaio's goal.

The cheers in the tavern never stopped.

Someone threw an empty beer can into the air. The can hit the ceiling and fell down, hitting someone's shoulder, but in return, they received a hug.

The TV was replaying Gaio's four goals, and every time the camera cut to the moment of a goal, the pub erupted in cheers. Even repeated shots made them shout even louder than the first time.

Everyone sang "You'll Never Walk Alone" together, without any rules or rhythm, just pure emotion.

Shankly's portrait stood silently in the red light and shadow, the tavern windows trembled slightly from the cheers, and Gaio's name seemed to float in the Liverpool night outside the window.

This was no ordinary victory celebration; it was Liverpool fans pouring years of anticipation, regret, and passion into this 90-minute match.

And 18-year-old Gaio gave them the hottest and most crazy response with a quadruple.

Not just in pubs throughout Liverpool.

And also online.

Twitter is going crazy!
"18 years old! At Old Trafford! Four goals! Gaio, what kind of monster are you?! My hands are still shaking; I almost dropped my phone when he made that run from midfield!"

"Gaio is the god of Anfield who has descended upon Old Trafford tonight!"

"That final powerful shot! De Gea was stunned! How could Gaio still have that stamina and composure after 90 minutes? He's only 18, friends, 18 years old!! That power is like maxing out the shot power bar in FIFA 14 and pushing it to the red zone! De Gea's save was exactly like when I was controlling the goalkeeper and pressed the save button too late, and could only watch helplessly as the ball flew into the corner! Gaio is too strong! A natural striker!"

FIFA 14 was officially released just two days ago.

Gaio was specifically added, marking the first time Gaio has been included in a game.

This naturally attracted countless fans to flock to the area.

"Don't even mention this game! FIFA 14 just came out! I bought a copy as soon as it was released, and the first thing I did was search for Gaio. It was his first time playing a FIFA game!"

As a result, I opened twenty gold card packs yesterday and didn't get Gaio at all!
He's a silver card in the game, but he's marked as a potential rising star, making him much rarer than a regular silver card!

A single Gaio Silver Card is now selling for almost 20,000 coins on the UT market! I stayed up until 3 AM last night, watching helplessly as people tried to snatch the last one from me; if you were 0.1 seconds slower, it was gone!

"That's right! Look at Gaio's player card stats: speed 82, shooting 79, dribbling 80, and most importantly, potential 91! This means that after training him to the maximum, he can reach the level of a top-tier striker! EA is too cunning, making him a rare silver card, with a lower drop rate in packs than gold cards. My friend opened fifty packs and only got a bronze substitute card for Gaio. He was so angry that he almost smashed his PS4!"

"But Gaio is really amazing. I specifically adjusted Gaio's player stats in FIFA 14, setting his shooting power and accuracy to 90+, and it only worked once out of ten attempts! In reality, he can actually produce such a shot while playing the full 90 minutes of the game. It's like he's using a cheat code!"

"From 0-2 to 4-2! From being dominated to a stunning comeback victory! Gaio carried Liverpool single-handedly! After tonight, no one will dare say we don't have a top striker!"

"Remember how much we struggled in attack last season? Now with Gaio, the whole team's attack feels alive! Gerrard's passes finally have reliable receiving points, and Suarez can run more freely. I'm so happy!"

"I've already made Gaio's four goals my phone wallpaper! I see them every time I open my phone, and it cheers me up! Come on Liverpool, come on Gaio!"

"I think Gaio can win the Ballon d'Or! An 18-year-old who has never played in the Champions League can compete for the Ballon d'Or? It would have been a joke in the past, but after watching tonight, who dares to say it's impossible?"

Amidst the cheers of Liverpool fans.

There were no Manchester United fans in sight.

Liverpool fans' emotions continued to rise, and their comments became increasingly varied.

Nobody cares about the rest of the game.

Four minutes of added time.

It passed by in a hurry.

drop! !

When Clattenburg blew the final whistle.

Old Trafford remained silent.

as well as,

The cheers of Liverpool fans in the away section!
The game is over.

Liverpool won!
In their two encounters this season, the score was 10-2, which was a complete thrashing of Manchester United!

The Manchester United players walked back to the locker room dejectedly.

After celebrating on the sidelines, the Liverpool players headed towards the away team's area.

We need to thank the fans of the expeditionary force.

The away team's area was already packed with fans.

The fans in the front row were pounding on the railing, their hands trembling with excitement.

In the front row, there was a little girl with a red headband, standing on tiptoe and stretching out her arms.

The song "YNWA" started first, beginning with a few scattered lines, but gradually becoming more and more unified.

The wind carrying the night air of Old Trafford whispered in the players' ears.

The players stood in a row and waved to the fans.

Then they sang together.

The song is over.

Gaio was pushed to the front by Henderson and Sturridge, one on each side.

As soon as he stood still, shouts of "Gayo! Gayo!" erupted from the stands, crashing over him like waves.

He raised his hand and waved.

"Lead us to a championship!" someone shouted, and then more people joined in, "Gaio! Champion!"

"Don't leave Liverpool!"

Gaio heard it and stopped waving.

He stared at the fans for two seconds, then nodded vigorously.

This is not a perfunctory response.

This is still a promise Gaia is making to all the fans.

Just then, he caught a glimpse of the little girl with a red ribbon tied around her neck under the railing, looking at him.

Gaio quickly took off his jersey.

He took two steps toward the little girl, pointed at her, and called out, "This is for you."

He handed the jersey to the railing.

The little girl's father quickly picked her up, and she reached out her little hand to catch the jersey, but cried as soon as she touched the fabric.

Holding the jersey high above her head, she cried as she exclaimed in a clear voice, "I have Gaio's jersey!"

The cheers from the away team's section grew louder again.

Someone was wiping away tears while smiling.

Someone shouted, "Gaio, we will always support you!!"

Gaio didn't stop.

He bent down and began to unfasten his right shoe.

His shoelaces were wrapped several times, and his fingers trembled slightly as he untied them; the calf muscles were still tight from the run.

He held up his shoes and looked at the two little boys on the other side who were staring at him expectantly. They were wearing ill-fitting Liverpool jerseys with their trousers rolled up several times.

Gaio handed the sneakers to the boys. The boy on the left almost fell when he caught them, while the boy on the right hugged the sneakers to his chest, his lips moved but he didn't say anything, he just smiled at Gaio.

They were so overwhelmed by the sudden happiness before them that they didn't know what to do.

Gaio looked at them and suddenly laughed.

Gerrard stood at the back, hands in his pockets, watching Gaio in front of the fans.

The wind carried the fans' shouts to his ears and also brought the scene of Gaio interacting with the children into his eyes.

He recalled that when he first started playing for Liverpool, he was also surrounded by fans during the post-match thank-you ceremony, except that back then he was the one being protected by his seniors.

Now he stands behind, watching Gaio surrounded by cheers, watching Gaio hand his jersey and shoes to the child.

She looks so much like herself back then, yet she shines even brighter.

He recalled his previous worries that after his retirement, no one in the team would be able to shoulder the burden of being Liverpool's core player.

But tonight, Gaião gave him the answer with four goals.

Gerrard was thinking about the last moments of his career and that he had to set a minimum standard for the team.

immediately,

Their gazes returned to Gaio.

The singing continued in the away team section, red scarves fluttered in the air, Gaio's jersey was held high by a little girl, and his sneakers were held in the arms of two boys.

Standing next to Gaio, Gerrard looked at the red flag that belonged to Liverpool and suddenly realized that this is what inheritance is all about—someone raises the flag, someone else takes it, and then they all walk together in the same direction.

What he needs to do is to shield Gaio from the wind before he takes over the mantle, so that Gaio can truly put down roots in Liverpool.

When finally,
Players and fans alike bid each other a reluctant farewell, and Old Trafford finally fell into tranquility.

The Liverpool fans were no longer celebrating.

The silent Manchester United fans were gone.

Only this century-old stadium stands silently.

In the locker room.

Liverpool players were still celebrating and cheering, knowing that after tonight, they would have to focus on the next game.

They only have three days of rest before their next league match against Sunderland.

tonight,

We must revel in the moment!

Gaio then looked at his score.

As expected, after defeating Manchester United last time, they only added 20 points this time.

But that's enough.

The match at Old Trafford has ended, but the impact of this game is only just beginning to spread.

On social media.

Legends from both sides offered their commentary on the match.

Roy Keane: "Manchester United's defense was completely torn apart tonight, but I have to admit that Gaião's performance was impeccable. He didn't just get lucky; every goal he scored demonstrated the ability of a top striker, especially that final run. Manchester United's results may prove that Moyes is not the right successor to the managerial position." Ian Rush: "I've played 14 times in the Merseyside derby and I've never seen an away player so dominant. Gaião's positioning reminded me of my prime, but his explosiveness was even more amazing. When I saw him, I knew that Liverpool's attacking line had caught up."

The Times Sports: "This 4-2 victory was a coronation for the 18-year-old, making Gaio the youngest player in the history of the Manchester derby to score four goals. More importantly, his composure when he was down 0-2 was more memorable than the goals themselves."

Goal.com's tactics column: "Gaião has completely revitalized Liverpool's attacking system. He can drop back to receive passes like Suárez and also attack the penalty area like Torres. Gerrard's long passes have finally found their precise landing point. Liverpool's signing now appears to be the most worthwhile investment of this century."

BBC Sports commentator: "The silence at Old Trafford is the best reward for Gaio; fans are witnessing the birth of a new legend."

Two hours after the match.

News reports about the post-match interviews with both head coaches have also been published.

Moyes said after the match, "I want to apologize to all Manchester United fans. Tonight we failed to win at home and were brought back from 0-2 down to 4-2. This result is unacceptable, and the responsibility lies with me."

Gaião had a phenomenal performance tonight. Our defense couldn't contain him, and we were on the back foot from the very first rebound.

The midfield connection was disrupted, the midfield orchestration was thrown into disarray, and the forward runs and passes lacked finishing efficiency. In this state, it's difficult to score points in high-stakes matches.

When discussing the fact that "Liverpool defeated him twice, both at home and away, and he has not won a single match against a strong opponent since taking over the job."

Moyes said, "I am aware of the doubts from the outside world and the disappointment of the fans. Since taking over Manchester United, we have been adjusting our tactical system, and the players have been working hard to adapt to the new style of play. But obviously, the process has been more difficult than expected. The double defeat shows that Liverpool's overall performance this season is better than ours. Their attack is more threatening and their defense is more solid. We need to learn from them and find a way to solve our problems."

I will not shy away from the issue.

The lack of focus on defense and the inaccuracy of the final pass on offense are the key issues we need to address. The players fought to the very end tonight; Rooney and Welbeck kept trying to create chances, but that's football—when the opponent exploits your weaknesses, you pay the price.

I know everyone has high expectations for Manchester United, and so do I. This defeat will make us more aware, and we will correct our mistakes in training and adjust our form step by step. I assure the fans that we will not give up, and we will strive to regain the level that Manchester United should have, and try to give everyone a satisfactory answer in the upcoming games.”

And these answers.

This clearly cannot erase the poor record he brought to Manchester United.

The doubts surrounding him are growing.

"Since taking over, Manchester United has suffered two consecutive defeats against Liverpool, a crushing defeat against Manchester City, and failed to win against Chelsea. They haven't managed to get a single point in any of their key matches! Is this the kind of performance Manchester United should be achieving? Sir Alex Ferguson left behind a solid foundation for league titles before he retired, and Moyes is squandering it all!"

"Moyes is simply not cut out for a top club! He's only suited to managing a mid-table team like Everton, sticking to his own little corner. He has no idea how to keep a team like Manchester United competitive! If he stays any longer, we'll be out of contention for the title, and even Champions League qualification will be in jeopardy!"

"In the past, when Sir Alex Ferguson lost, he would tell us, 'We'll win the next game,' and we believed him! Now that Moyes has lost, he just makes excuses. What's the point of keeping a coach like that?"

"Moyes just stands on the sidelines wringing his hands when they're behind, and he's slower than anyone else at making substitutions. The players he brings on don't even know what to do. This coaching job is way too easy!"

But on the other side.

Even Rogers, who won by a large margin, did not show any particular excitement.

Because, before the press conference, David Dunn specifically spoke with him.

The atmosphere wasn't as joyful as it would be after a victory.

It felt rather heavy.

"What did we play in the first 60 minutes? We were dominated in midfield by Manchester United, and our passing relied entirely on long passes. If it weren't for Gaião, we would be on the bus back home reflecting on the loss right now. What we need to see is your tactical system."

"What the fans saw was Gaio's run from midfield to score, and his individual ability saved the day. Nobody will notice which player you substituted. Liverpool needs to win with tactics, not star players to carry the team. If you can only win with an 18-year-old, then there are plenty of people who can do this coaching job."

Therefore,
In the post-match press conference, Rodgers said, "Winning the Merseyside derby at Old Trafford is an important result for the team and the fans, especially the players' perseverance in adversity after coming back from 0-2 down to win 4-2, which deserves recognition."

But we must be clear-headed; in the first 60 minutes of the match, our tactical execution encountered many problems.

The midfield play was not fluid enough, and our passing efficiency dropped significantly when facing Manchester United's high press. Several times, the opponent advanced directly to the edge of our penalty area, which is not our usual training level.

Victory is a starting point, not an end point. We cannot ignore the flaws in the process just because the result is good.

Gaião had an outstanding performance tonight. His goal-scoring instincts and movement choices showcased the talent of a young player, and his four goals were a reward for his hard work.

What we need to do next is to repeatedly analyze the video of this match.

The details in the game determine whether we can maintain consistency throughout the season, rather than relying on a single outstanding performance.

The Premier League season is long, and the opponents are different in every game. We still have a lot to adjust to.

This victory can boost the team's confidence, but more importantly, we need to identify and address the problems that arose during the process. Liverpool's goal is continuous improvement, not just to rest on one victory.

Very restrained.

From the perspective of outside fans, this is seen as Rogers' composure.

In fact, he was all too aware of the pressure he was under.

David Dunn was definitely not just casually talking to me about the game.

This is a wake-up call for himself.

If he doesn't have something else to offer, even if he's still leading the team to the top of the Premier League table, he'll inevitably be sacked.

The pressure is immense.
the next day.

In the early morning in Liverpool, the sunlight had just shone through the red brick walls of Anfield, and the streets were filled with the soft laughter of fans.

When Old John pushed open the door of the coffee shop, the owner was holding up a radio, which was playing a replay of Gaio's fourth goal from the previous night—"70-meter sprint, powerful shot into the goal! 18-year-old Gaio completes a quadruple at Old Trafford!"

As soon as the commentator's voice faded on the radio, laughter and shouts erupted from five or six tables in the store. A young fan in blue overalls slammed his fist on the table and yelled, "Play it again! We didn't get enough of that 'swish' goal sound!"

Old John sat down in his usual corner and ordered a cup of hot tea when three middle-aged fans from the next table came over, holding a rolled-up copy of the Liverpool Echo.

The front-page headline, printed in bold red, read: "Gaio: The Red God Descends upon Old Trafford!"

"John, did you see it last night? Gaio's final sprint was so cool!" Mike, wearing glasses, pointed to a photo in the newspaper. Gaio was surrounded by his teammates, arms outstretched. "The first thing my son did this morning was to put Gaio's poster on his bedside table, saying he wants to learn his positioning when he plays soccer!"

Old John took a sip of tea and nodded with a smile: "I've never seen any young man play so well in the away game of the Manchester derby. When we were down 0-2, I turned off the TV, but then my grandson ran over and shouted, 'Grandpa, turn the TV back on! Gaio scored!' and then he watched it with great relish, haha!"

The coffee shop door was pushed open again.

A group of students wearing Liverpool jerseys rushed in, the boy at the front wearing a jersey with Gaio's name on it and the number 10. "Boss, three bacon sandwiches, please! We're going to the park to play football and imitate Gaio's goals!"

The shopkeeper smiled and agreed, taking out newly arrived Gaio trading cards from under the counter and slipping one into each sandwich bag: "Here you go! These kids' cards sold out last night, we just restocked this morning!"

The students scrambled to look at the trading cards, with one shouting, "If Gaio becomes captain in the future, I'll definitely be the first to buy his captain's armband!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the fans in the store started to cheer, but Old John smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Don't worry, Gerrard is still here!"

Mike chimed in, "Gerrard would definitely be happy too. After Gerrard retires, Gaio can be the captain, wouldn't that be great!"

The community park in the morning.

There were already quite a few fans playing football on the lawn. A group of seven- or eight-year-old children were divided into two teams. The little captain, wearing a red vest, held up a toy whistle and shouted, "I'm Gaio! You all have to pass the ball to me!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a young fan ran over and shoved the ball at his feet: "Quick! Like last night, run from our penalty area to theirs, I'll be De Gea, you unleash a powerful shot!"

The children ran around excitedly, and on a bench at the edge of the lawn, several mothers pushing strollers were chatting.

“My husband was so excited last night he almost flipped the bed off,” Lena said with a smile, wearing a floral dress. “He said he wants to take the kids to Anfield to watch Gaio’s games, saying it’s to witness the growth of the future captain!”

Sarah, standing next to her, nodded: "I was browsing the fan forums this morning, and a lot of people were saying that after Gerrard, Gaio would be the captain. Someone even made a photoshopped image of Gaio wearing a red captain's armband, standing in the players' tunnel at Anfield. It looks so inspiring!"

They walked and walked.

Someone has painted new graffiti on the street.

On the red wall, the words "Gaio: Liverpool's Tomorrow" were written in white paint, next to a huge poster of Gaio.

Lena asked, "Do you think Gaio can really carry the team after Gerrard retires?"

Sarah smiled. "Look at how he was last night when we were behind. He wasn't flustered at all, and he still managed to run such a long distance. This kid knows what he's doing, and Gerrard can rest assured. We can just wait and see. Liverpool's red hue has a successor!"

A gentle breeze rustled the hems of the children's clothes in the park.

Glide over every smiling face in Liverpool.

The red of Liverpool looked especially warm and bright the day after their victory over their arch-rivals.

in the afternoon.

Liverpool's training session had just ended when the setting sun bathed the Melwood training ground lawn in a warm gold hue.

The players sat scattered on the sidelines, their water bottles crunching under their hands, sweat dripping from the hems of their jerseys onto the grass, leaving small, dark stains.

Sturridge suddenly leaned over and said, "Hey, did you guys see the hype in France Football today? The 23-man shortlist for this year's Ballon d'Or will be announced next month, and some media outlets are saying that Yang has a very good chance of making the 23-man shortlist for this year's Ballon d'Or."

The players sitting around immediately started making a fuss. Henderson laughed and said, "Oh, what's so strange about that? Isn't Yang's performance good enough for the Ballon d'Or? In my mind, he's already a Ballon d'Or winner."

Gaio had just unscrewed a bottle of ice water when he heard this and almost choked. He quickly wiped his mouth and said, "Don't joke around. I've never even played in the Champions League. The Ballon d'Or is based on the entire season's performance. I've only played half of the Premier League. How could that be?"

As he spoke, he moved the water bottle closer to his legs, his gaze fixed on the distant goalpost, his tone full of youthful honesty.

He didn't think it was modesty; he genuinely felt he still had a long way to go.

this year,

Ribery is the Frenchman with the best chance.

Unfortunately, if things had unfolded as they did in history, Ribery wouldn't have won the Ballon d'Or.

"Why not?" Gerrard's voice came from behind him. He had just finished extra shooting practice, and the sleeves of his training uniform were rolled up to his elbows, revealing his muscular forearms.

He sat down next to Gaio, took a sip of the mineral water Gaio handed him, and then said, "I watched your World Cup qualifiers, you were absolutely a star player."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over his teammates, his tone becoming more serious: "Next year is the World Cup year, and major tournaments are the easiest to produce dark horses. We, England, definitely want to win the championship. We might have to face France then, so we'll be rivals. But I also hope you play well for the French team and let the whole world see your abilities."

Gaio looked up at Gerrard, the setting sun casting its warm light on the captain's hair, revealing the fine lines at the corners of his eyes.

Before he could speak, Gerrard patted him on the shoulder again, his voice even softer: "Liverpool has never produced a Ballon d'Or winner who truly 'belongs to' them. If you can do it, you'll make us prouder than anyone else."

The atmosphere on the sidelines paused slightly as soon as he said that.

Some people subconsciously looked down and clutched their water bottles, while others turned to look at the coaching staff in the distance—no one mentioned that name, but they all understood what "truly belonging to themselves" meant.

Someone has already been expelled from Liverpool.

Sturridge swung his leg first, laughing as he changed the subject: "Forget the Ballon d'Or! Let's think about playing Sunderland next week. If Gaio scores two more, we can widen our lead at the top of the league!"

Henderson immediately chimed in: "Yes! Sunderland's defense, being a relegation-threatened team, is perfect for Gaio to practice on!"

Laughter resumed, and no one mentioned the name that the red fans considered a "traitor" anymore.

Gaio looked down at his shoes as he watched his teammates making a ruckus.

Just a few months ago, he was running on the training ground in Corsica, a small island in the Mediterranean. Now, he can sit with Gerrard and talk about the Ballon d'Or, and even hear the captain say, "I hope you can succeed."

He gave a soft "hmm," his voice low but clear: "Let's help the team win the game first, and we'll take care of the rest later."

Gerald smiled as he looked at his serious expression.

He recalled that when he was young, there were people around him who encouraged him in the same way, and now it was his turn to pass on that warmth.

The sun gradually sank lower and lower, and the streetlights in the distance came on.

Gaio watched the rare sunset over Liverpool.

He smiled, not because of the Golden Globe Awards, but because he knew he was on the right path and had a group of people around him who were willing to accompany him and push him forward.

As soon as Gaio returned to his apartment after training, his phone vibrated.

Familiar names flashed on the screen.

He answered with a laugh, and before he could even speak, he heard a familiar, cheerful voice on the other end of the line: "Kid, did you have a good time at Old Trafford last night?"

"Zidane? You watched the game too?" Gaio tossed his backpack onto the sofa, picked up an apple from the table, took a bite, and said casually, "I thought you were busy watching Real Madrid's training."

"Real Madrid's training is nothing compared to your four goals!" Zidane's voice was tinged with laughter. "I watched the live broadcast last night, but it was too late to call you. I must say, you played exceptionally well, much better than I did back then."

Gaio was a little embarrassed by what was said, "It's alright, there's still room for improvement."

"Don't give me that modesty." Zidane chuckled, his tone suddenly becoming more serious. "I chatted with my French friends this morning, and they said you have a high probability of making the 23-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or, which will be announced next month. But that news is definitely true; your performance in the crucial matches has already made everyone remember you."

Gaio was about to say "It's still early" again.

Zidane interrupted him, saying, "I know what you're trying to say, but you have to understand that the current French team needs a young man who can take charge. Ribery is old, and this year is his last chance. You will be the leader of French football in the future."

"I understand," Gaio replied softly. Zidane never acted like a senior and always treated him like a friend.

Zidane then talked to Gaio about the transfer rumors surrounding him.

It is said that rather than adding icing on the cake to an already strong team, it would be more impressive to revive a prestigious but declining powerhouse like Liverpool.

When you hang up the phone.

Gaio smiled again.

He knew he didn't need to rush to prove anything; he could just take it one step at a time.

There might be some mishaps at this year's Golden Globe Awards, but they have nothing to do with him.

If the 2010 Ballon d'Or selection was largely due to questions about the rules, then the 2013 Ballon d'Or selection was shrouded in mystery due to some unclear off-field events.

Gaio knew that it was ultimately Ronaldo who broke Messi's four-peat.

Cristiano Ronaldo's ability is beyond doubt, but looking at his overall performance in 2013, his overall competitiveness was not as good as Ribery's.

Real Madrid failed to win any major trophies, and he personally only won the Champions League Golden Boot.

In contrast, Ribery had the most glorious season of his career, with Bayern Munich winning the Champions League, Bundesliga, and German Cup in the 2012-13 season, as well as the UEFA Super Cup.

On an individual level, Ribery was undoubtedly Bayern Munich's star player that season, winning the European Player of the Year, Bundesliga Player of the Year, and Bundesliga assist leader awards.

He also performed brilliantly for the French national team, flying alongside Gaião on the wings, and helped them finish first in their group against the defending champions Spain, thus qualifying for the World Cup finals.

This is precisely why Ribery, who won many important honors, ultimately failed to win the Ballon d'Or, losing to Ronaldo by a huge margin, which inevitably drew some criticism.

2013, along with 2010, is considered one of the two most controversial years for the Golden Globe Awards.

But these things have nothing to do with Gaio.

Wash yourself up.

Get some rest, and continue to practice hard tomorrow!
at the same time.

In the coach's office at the Melwood training facility at night, the cold light from the screen reflected on Rogers' face.

A tactical notebook lay open in front of him, the pen cap undone, and the liquid in his coffee cup had long since gone cold.

The computer screen was playing a loop of halftime footage from the Manchester derby, and he kept dragging the progress bar. The sound of the mouse clicking was particularly clear in the quiet room.

Rogers suddenly pressed the pause button on the keyboard.

The screen freezes on Manchester United's third attack on the penalty area: Lucas is standing at the top of the midfield arc, just about to turn and pass the ball, when he is marked by a Manchester United player. The ball is intercepted and a counter-attack is launched. If Kolo Toure had not returned to defend in time, they would have almost conceded another goal.

He leaned closer to the screen, frowning as he looked at Lucas's position.

He skipped back more than ten minutes, which was the point at which he substituted Kanté into the game.

In the footage, Kante immediately blocked the passing lane of a Manchester United player upon entering the game, preventing the opponent from passing the ball out in time.

At first glance, Kanté's role is not apparent.

But Rogers played the replay three times, pausing each time to watch it carefully.

His eyes suddenly lit up.

When Lucas was on the field, he was always a step too slow to cover when Manchester United players made runs and runs, which caused gaps in the midfield defense.

When Kante came on, even in the halfway point of the penalty area, he could quickly track back and cover a large defensive area. With his full running and anticipation, Kante always managed to block Manchester United's passing lanes.

Rogers split the two clips for comparison.

The time in the lower right corner of the computer screen jumped to 1 a.m. Rogers rubbed his sore eyes and clicked on a replay.

This was a crucial defensive play by Kante in the 85th minute. A Manchester United player broke through the middle and was about to enter the penalty area when Kante suddenly made a run from behind, using his body to hold off the opponent while simultaneously poking the ball to a teammate. The entire sequence of actions was neither a foul nor a complete disaster.

He closed his notebook, picked up his now-cold coffee, took a sip, and frowned at the bitter taste, but felt a little more at ease.

David Dunn's words still echoed in his ears, "Show your tactics."

Finding a way to break through the lineup using Kanté might be the first step for him to prove himself.

He needs to make some changes.

Silent all night.

Time flies.

The impact of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Square continues to spread.

However, most fans' attention has already returned to the new league.

Moyes is under a lot of pressure right now.

He needs to win.

West Bromwich Albion, which isn't particularly strong, is the easy target!
And Manchester United are playing at home in this match.

They had all the advantages of timing, location, and people.

Moyes was full of confidence before the match, saying he was determined to give Manchester United fans a victory at Old Trafford.

of course,

These Liverpool fans have given up on this.

They are keeping track of news about their own team.

Liverpool will face Sunderland away in the sixth round of the league.

Sunderland had failed to win any of their previous five matches.

The coaches have all been dismissed.

This is an easy target!

In fact, Sunderland almost got relegated last season. Fortunately, the leadership sacked the renowned manager O'Neill at a crucial moment and brought in the controversial manager Di Canio. In the end, the team narrowly escaped relegation under the Italian's leadership.

自2000/01年赛季得到第7名后，桑德兰只曾在2010/2011赛季完成前10名目标。

After O'Neal took over as coach midway through the previous season, the team gradually escaped the relegation vortex and ultimately finished the season in 13th place.

Despite O'Neill's impressive record with Leicester City and Aston Villa in the past, Sunderland's performance declined steadily last season under his management. Although the team tried to meet O'Neill's requirements when making signings last summer, the team's performance fell short of expectations.

The main problem was that O'Neill's playing style was too conservative, and the team's tactics were figured out by the opponents. If it weren't for the timely change of manager, Sunderland would definitely have been relegated.

Di Canio took over at the Stadium of Light in the second half of last season, replacing O'Neill. Under the Italian's leadership, the team secured two crucial victories, and the Black Cats ultimately finished fourth from bottom in the Premier League, just three points ahead of third from bottom, thus avoiding relegation.

however,
Di Canio had one draw and four losses, and was sacked by Sunderland after failing to win a single game.

Therefore, assistant coach Kevin Ball led the team in this match against league leaders Liverpool.

Before the match.

Ball said, "Liverpool is absolutely a phenomenal team in the Premier League this season. The old Reds are back."

Liverpool deserve to be at the top of the table this season. They didn't rely on a single game to shine, but rather on maintaining a consistent attacking threat for 90 minutes.

For us, the biggest challenge is how to defend against Gaio.

This seems like an impossible task.

I believe you are all aware of the incredible talent this young man has displayed over the past month.

I didn't want to admit it, but I have to, that perhaps Gaio was the one who decided the outcome of this match.

If we can stop him, we'll have a chance to score.

If you can't stop it, it's gone.

(End of this chapter)