The path to becoming a football legend began with being ousted from Carrington by Manchester United.

Gerrard's goal-line clearance could only keep the score level, but it couldn't change Liverpool's disadvantageous situation.

Although the attack just now did not result in a goal, it has proven that Pizarro's advice was correct. As long as the speed and rhythm of the connection are improved, Manchester City players can create dangerous attacks, especially between Lin Yi, Silva and Aguero.

This greatly boosted Silva's confidence, while Yaya Touré is a rare player among African players with high football intelligence. He can not only skillfully integrate into fast-paced passing and cutting combinations, but also occasionally push forward when Lin Yi pulls out of the penalty area, using his strong physique to cause trouble in Liverpool's penalty area.

Liverpool's goal was under constant threat, with starting striker Kuyt even dropping back into his own half to play as a defensive midfielder.

Captain Gerrard frowned, racking his brains for a way to break the deadlock, but unfortunately Manchester City's main strategy today was speed, so fast that they didn't give their opponents any time to think.

In the 13th minute of the first half, Lin Yi dribbled past one player on the wing and quickly passed the ball to David Silva, who was operating in the half-space.

Silva slipped the ball past him with a misstep, dodging Henderson's tackle, and then passed it to Yaya Touré on the edge of the penalty area. Touré, with his back to goal, held off Skrtel and laid the ball back.

Silva unleashed a long-range shot, but Liverpool goalkeeper Reina reacted quickly, tipping the ball over the crossbar with one hand, giving Manchester City a corner kick.

The tactical corner kick was taken, and the Manchester City players all rushed towards the near post, except for Lin Yi, who went around to the far post. Silva looked up and observed for a moment, then immediately sent out a curved ball, the target of which was Lin Yi, who had circled around from the far post.

Unfortunately, Lin Yi's ability to get into scoring positions is not his forte. Under pressure from the opposing center-back, Lin Yi's header missed the target and went over the crossbar.

Four minutes later, Manchester City created another threat, this time through Aguero.

He and Lin Yi made a cross-position switch, and before the Liverpool defenders could complete their marking handover, Toure delivered the ball perfectly to Aguero's feet.

Aguero decisively used the outside of his right foot to shoot at the goal, but the ball grazed the post and went out of bounds.

Seeing Manchester City's relentless attacks, the commentators all changed their tune.

"Manchester City players have found their rhythm, and their attacks are coming wave after wave, leaving Liverpool breathless."

"I see the trick. Manchester City is trying to stretch the opponent's defense by frequently switching positions between their attacking players. Once a defender loses focus, they immediately break through that point and launch a blitzkrieg."

"King Kenny needs to think of a solution; his team is in a very passive situation."

Liverpool's midfield and defense were completely disconnected under Manchester City's pressure, leaving Suarez, alone in the attacking third, with no support from his teammates.

Liverpool players can only connect with their own strikers by sending the ball upfield with long balls from the back, leaving Suarez to figure out the rest himself.

Under the intense marking of Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, Suarez struggled to even get the ball, let alone create any threats.

Seeing this situation, Manchester City's two full-backs, Clichy and Richards, began to frequently push forward, and Milner, who was placed in the defensive midfield position in this game, also unconsciously moved forward and returned to his more familiar area of ​​activity.

Liverpool couldn't think of a way to break the deadlock for a while, and could only grit their teeth and fight on, encouraged by captain Gerrard.

On the sidelines, head coach Kenny Dalglish was unaware that his players had conspired before the match to secure a victory against Manchester City, all for the sake of his coaching career.

Moved by the players' resilience and tenacity during the game, Dalglish went to the sidelines to encourage his players.

"Kids! You did a great job! Keep going and don't give up!"

Before we knew it, it was the 35th minute of the first half. Despite dominating possession, Manchester City couldn't score against Liverpool's tenacious defense, and their several threatening attacks fell just short.

Manchester City, who had maintained a fast-paced attack from the start, seemed to be running out of steam. Silva, who had been exceptionally active in the game, was considering whether he should try something different.

Lin Yi and Aguero were unaware of Silva's plans, and they continued running tirelessly.

Seeing Silva get the ball, Lin Yi immediately started his run straight into the front of the goal, while Aguero quickly overlapped on the wing, and Liverpool's defense immediately followed the movement of these two players.

Seeing this, Silva raised his right foot as if to pass the ball, but it was just a feint. Silva's right foot circled over the ball and then came back, before he gently flicked the ball with the outside of his foot, sending it across the edge of the penalty area.

Silva's original intention was to use Lin Yi and Aguero to draw the opponent's defense, setting up a shot for Toure to allow the opponent to take a long-range shot.

However, Silva forgot that Toure was playing as an attacking midfielder today, not a defensive midfielder. Toure was not in his usual area, and Milner was the one making a run from the back.

Unlike the established sense of position and space between Silva and Toure, Milner rarely appears in the defensive midfield position.

He was clearly stunned by Silva's pass and didn't immediately start shooting. By the time he reacted, it was too late.

After holding out for more than half an hour, Gerrard suddenly emerged from the crowd, intercepted Silva's pass, and dribbled the ball forward, charging towards Manchester City's half.

At this moment, Lin Yi, Aguero, and Yaya Toure are all in the opponent's penalty area, and the two full-backs have also moved up to attack. Milner made a run into the box but was dispossessed and turned back, almost falling over. Manchester City only has defensive midfielder Gareth Barry and two center-backs who can directly participate in the defense.

Gerrard's dribbling style is expansive and direct, without any fancy moves or complicated changes of direction; he simply charges forward with long strides.

Barry didn't expect the opponent to come so directly. He instinctively stretched out his leg to block the ball but failed. He had no choice but to turn around and chase back immediately.

Kompany dared not leave the technically gifted Suarez behind, so he had Lescott step in to block Gerrard.

Gerrard took a long stride and the ball was a bit far from his body. Lescott made a decisive tackle, wanting to seize this rare opportunity to disrupt Liverpool's counterattack.

Almost simultaneously, Gerrard and Lescott both made sliding tackles, targeting the rapidly rolling football.

In the end, the Reds captain showed more courage, sweeping the ball to the side with his left leg before being tackled in the shin by Lescott's frontal tackle, causing the two to collide.

Gerrard's desperate pass wasn't aimed at Suarez, but at Downing, who had been largely unnoticed.

Liverpool went through a long and arduous competition with Arsenal during the off-season to sign homegrown winger Downing from Aston Villa for £2000 million. Downing has made 22 appearances for Liverpool so far, with 0 goals and 0 assists, earning him the nickname "Downing Zero".

Downing did not disappoint Gerrard and all Liverpool fans this time, calmly dribbling past Joe Hart and scoring into an empty net.

The iron tree has finally blossomed! Liverpool, under siege, took a one-goal lead away from home against Manchester City thanks to a counter-attack.