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

Manchester City equalized just before halftime thanks to an unusual link-up play between Lin Kun and Manchester City.

The two sides went into halftime with the score tied at 1-1.

King Kenny Dalglish felt a little disappointed, but he believed everything was still under control, so he praised his players in the dressing room.

"Children, well done! I'm proud of the fighting spirit you've shown. You are true Red Army soldiers!"

"Don't rush in the second half, continue to solidify the defense, and what we need to do is wait patiently."

"Manchester City's style of play is very physically demanding. They've been in poor form lately, and they'll definitely want to beat us at home this time."

"So they're the ones who're anxious. We just need to wait for them to make a mistake, and then take them down in one fell swoop."

"I have a feeling that we'll have our chance to win around the 65-70 minute mark."

"Steven, you control the pace. Everyone listen to Steven; if he says to go, then all of you go."

"Take down Manchester City!"

Gerrard, who was entrusted with a heavy responsibility by Dalglish, was covered in bruises. In the first half, he collided with the goalpost once and was tackled head-on by Lescott once. The fact that he was not injured already proved his toughness.

Upon hearing the head coach's call, Gerrard sprang to his feet like a new recruit being called on by his sergeant.

"Don't worry, boss, leave it to me. We'll definitely bring back a victory."

"Take down Manchester City!" the crowd shouted in unison, led by Gerrard.

The atmosphere in the home team's locker room wasn't as enthusiastic as it was on Liverpool's side, because their manager, Pellegrini, was all smiles, talking to everyone like an elder having a heart-to-heart talk with children.

"How's it going? Are you getting the hang of it?"

Lin Yi answered first: "We're fine, always have been, you don't need to worry about anything. We've got this game in the bag!"

Pellegrini waved his hand: "Don't put so much pressure on yourselves. More than the outcome of a match, I'd like to see you gain something from the game and be happy about it!"

"The key to victory is already in your hands; I have nothing to worry about!"

"Enjoy the game, kids!"

After finishing his speech, Pellegrini left the locker room without giving any tactical instructions or encouragement. He did nothing at all, just like a neighbor dropping by.

Lin Yi stared at Pellegrini's departing figure, unable to calm down for a long time. He suddenly stood up and clapped his hands to attract everyone's attention.

"Guys, I don't think we should listen to the coach on this."

"The more he downplays it, the more we need to win. We can't put all the pressure on an old man."

"Gerrard told me in the first half that he wanted to win, and I said next time, next time I'd definitely let him win. Now I regret it. For Manuel, we must win forever!"

This may be the game in which Lin Yi most wanted to win for Manchester City since joining the club. Previously, he showed this kind of fierce desire to win in the two games against Manchester United, but that was purely for himself and for the unfair treatment he suffered.

He was the top scorer in the youth team, yet he was inexplicably denied a contract renewal; he suffered only a minor injury, yet he was questioned about his ability to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League; despite having predecessors like Sun Jihai, Zhang Enhua, and Fan Zhiyi, he was questioned about his inability to establish himself in British football.

This time was different. Lin Yi wanted to win the game not for himself, but for Pellegrini, the kind and approachable head coach, and for a fatherly love that he hadn't experienced in a very long time.

So when Lin Yi met Gerald again, Gerald recognized something familiar in Lin Yi at a glance.

He saw the unwavering belief in victory, the burning flame, and the four words "Never back down."

The two did not speak, and their eye contact was brief, because in just one second, they understood what the other was thinking.

No need for further words, the true test will be on the field.

In the second half, Lin Yi simply followed Pellegrini's advice and dropped back to the midfield area, switching positions with Yaya Touré.

Although he didn't participate much in passing the ball, Lin Yi wasn't idle either. He made a wide-ranging run in the area from the edge of Liverpool's penalty area to the center circle.

At first, the Liverpool players didn't pay much attention to Lin Yi, who was positioned very deep. However, in the 51st minute of the second half, Lin Yi received a pass back from Toure while running and unleashed a stunning long-range shot that almost broke through Reina's defenses, giving the Liverpool players a fright.

When Lin Yi returned to the area, Gerrard didn't dare to be negligent and personally followed him, closely marking Lin Yi as he moved off the ball.

"You think you can catch me?" Lin Yi said dismissively, and immediately began to accelerate.

He led Gerrard in a semi-circle in front of Liverpool's penalty area, using a tactic similar to a basketball baseline maneuver, leading the Reds captain around the entire perimeter.

While Lin Yi was running, the others were also busy, constantly weaving in and out. Silva, who was in charge of dealing the ball, did not pass it to Aguero, who was positioned deeper. Instead, he took advantage of Lin Yi circling around to his side, stepped on the ball with the sole of his foot, and lightly passed it to Lin Yi's feet.

Lin Yi sprinted at full speed after receiving the ball, with Gerrard hot on his heels.

Seeing Lin Yi charging forward without hesitation, Toure and Aguero immediately acted like teammates in rugby, doing their best to delay other defensive players from interfering with Lin Yi's attack.

Thanks to the efforts of these two players, Liverpool only had Charlie Adam successfully reach the defensive line against Lin Yi's breakthrough.

Lin Yi didn't take his opponent seriously at all, and with a simple shoulder drop and change of direction, he easily passed Charlie Adam.

At this moment, while Aguero and Toure were covering Lin Yi, they had also reached the most dangerous position in Liverpool's penalty area. The Reds, fearing to harm Lin Yi, could not launch a full-scale attack.

They had no choice but to send them off one by one, like the Calabash Brothers rescuing their grandfather. This time, it was Red Army Deputy Captain Karage who came.

Facing Carragher's pressing, Lin Yi straddled the right side of the ball with his right foot, tilting his entire body to the right. He then immediately adjusted his center of gravity and used the outside of his left foot to flick the ball to the left side of his body.

When making this feint, Lin Yi neither slowed down nor observed the opponent's reaction, betting that Carragher couldn't keep up with his speed.

As expected, the Red Army deputy captain was caught off guard, and Carragher, who was tripping over him, couldn't even commit a foul before Lin Yi walked right past him.

Fortunately, his delay allowed Gerrard, who was closely following behind, to close the gap in position with Lin Yijian.

Gerrard swung his left arm to disrupt Lin Yi's balance, pressed his body tightly against Lin Yi, and thrust his hips into him. He also tried to reach the football at Lin Yi's feet with his legs.

Lin Yi originally planned to shoot with his left foot, but after being bumped by Gerrard, his body shifted slightly. He simply didn't adjust and swung his right foot, striking the ball with the outside of his foot.

The football was propelled into the net by Lin Yi with extreme speed and intense spin, flying in before the opposing goalkeeper Reina could react.

After scoring, Lin Yi pushed aside Gerrard, who was visibly disappointed beside him, and excitedly rushed to the coaching bench, picked up Pellegrini, and shouted in his ear, "This is for you! You deserve to win everything!"