We made you the King of Prisoners, and now you've become the King of Football?

Chapter 100 The Qualities of a Master

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"Holy crap! Jiang Ming!"

"That was a beautiful shot!"

"Coutinho just scored a world-class goal, and Jiang Ming has already responded with one of his own!"

"A spectacular clash of world-class goals! Absolutely thrilling!"

"Thank you, Boss Jiang! I managed to get the entire upper half of the 2.5-inch model!"

Liverpool fans at Anfield fell silent for a moment.

Only a few hundred Monaco fans remained, cheering and celebrating.

Mignolet scooped the ball out of the goal and threw it to the ground.

He kept muttering, "Comeon!"

Losing the clean sheet award is a painful thing for every goalkeeper.

Emre Can stood with his hands on his hips at the edge of the penalty area, letting out a silent sigh.

-

In that last matchup, he clearly kept up with his opponent.

But the result was that the Chinese kid left him behind with a simple wall-running move.

"Damn it," Emre Jan muttered under his breath.

Henderson, the team captain, walked over and patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't overthink it, just stay focused and keep an eye on him."

"He won't have that kind of long-range shooting opportunity every time—"

Sidelines.

Klopp stood in front of the substitutes' bench with his hands in his pockets.

The smile under the baseball cap has gradually disappeared.

He watched the replay on the stadium's big screen, his mind racing.

Monaco's attack just now started with a long pass from their own half and culminated in a goal.

It only took a few passes.

Such a simple attack broke through the team's defense.

The assistant coach frowned and said, "Boss, it seems Monaco has given up on organizing their defense."

"They're starting to get the ball directly up the court now."

Klopp chuckled and explained, "Jardin wants to break down the high press in the simplest way possible."

"After all, if you don't hold the ball and just play long passes, you're less likely to make mistakes due to being pressed."

The assistant coach nodded: "Then should we change our tactics immediately?"

Speaking of which...

Klopp looked up at the remaining time.

There are less than ten minutes left in the first half, including stoppage time.

"Just maintain this situation and get through the first half."

As for tactical adjustments—

Klopp already had a plan in mind.

In the stands.

VIP private room.

Ed Woodward clapped his hands.

"A fantastic goal!"

"I have to admit, this kid's shooting ability is indeed quite good."

Van Gaal did not respond; his gaze remained fixed on Jiang Ming on the field.

Woodward added, "But ultimately, isn't this just a display of individual goal-scoring ability?"

"He feels similar to Coutinho on the other side—"

Upon hearing Woodward's words, Van Gaal shook his head.

"Ed, you're just a businessman, you don't understand football."

Woodward shrugged; he wouldn't argue with that, since it was the truth.

Van Gaal continued, "You only saw his last shot."

2

"But the real problem with this ball was before the shot."

Woodward paused, taken aback. "What do you mean?"

Van Gaal pointed to the replay on the big screen.

In the picture.

Monaco's goalkeeper, Subasic, launched a long ball into the attacking third.

Jiang Ming arrived at the first landing point before everyone else.

He receives the ball with his back to the goal and taps it lightly with his heel.

The ball was passed to Löw in the attacking third.

He then took the opportunity to move forward.

The two players' one-two pass broke through Liverpool's midfield.

Van Gaal spoke slowly: "This is the key."

"Jiang knows Emre Can is behind him, knows his teammates' positions in the attacking third, and knows when to pass the ball."

Woodward blinked.

Regardless of whether the guy understood or not, Van Gaal continued, "The key lies in his ability to read the game."

"He had the whole solution in mind before Subasic kicked the ball out."

"The average player can only see what's happening on the field."

"But excellent players can know in advance what will happen next."

"Think about it, don't all those midfield maestros possess this ability?"

"Whether it's Xavi and Iniesta at Barcelona, ​​or Carrick in our team."

"Judging from the scene, Jiang also possesses the qualities that these masters have."

"You should know how amazing he is by now, right?"

At this point, a hint of admiration appeared in Van Gaal's eyes.

"Long-range shots can depend on form, and with a bit of luck, you might even score a world-class goal."

"But the way he handles the ball doesn't lie; it's overflowing with talent!"

Woodward nodded blankly.

It seems like it's starting to get a brain—

On the field.

Monaco were still trailing by one goal, so they didn't celebrate much.

Both sides returned to the center circle.

The game continues.

Liverpool kick off from the center circle.

Coutinho passed the ball back to Emre Can.

The Red Army team pressed forward and crossed into the opponent's half.

Since Klopp did not make any further tactical adjustments, they continued with their original plan, pressing high up the pitch and pressing aggressively.

Liverpool launched another fierce attack.

Monaco's entire squad retreated to the second half.

The defensive line contracted to the edge of the penalty area.

Jiang Ming also retreated to his own half of the field to provide backup defense at any time.

Liverpool continue their high-pressing strategy.

"Coutinho and Lallana frequently switched positions on the wing, making the attacking pace inconsistent."

"Monaco's defense must be extremely focused."

Milner made a run down the right flank and received a pass from Coutinho.

Instead of going to the baseline, he opted to spike past Etxekiel.

He created space and immediately crossed the ball.

The ball flew over the heads of the Monaco defenders and headed straight for the far post.

Origi leaped to the top.

The ball deflected off Carvalho and went out of bounds.

A collective sigh echoed across Anfield.

This was immediately followed by encouraging applause.

A few seconds later.

Liverpool take a corner kick.

Coutinho lobs the ball into the penalty area.

Lovren leaped high into the air.

He overpowered Wallace and headed the ball towards the goal.

The football is higher than the crossbar.

"Another chance for Liverpool!"

"Lovren's header! Just a little short!" Zhan Jun said regretfully.

Zhang Lu chuckled and said, "Monaco has been under a lot of defensive pressure lately. Their defense is a bit strained against Liverpool's bombardment."

Time passed by, second by second.

Liverpool's attacks came one after another.

Monaco has repeatedly made hasty attempts to extricate itself from the predicament.

The two minutes of stoppage time in the first half ended quickly.

-

The referee blew the whistle to end the first half.

The scoreboard showed 2-1.

Liverpool are currently in the lead.

The camera pans across the players from both sides.

Liverpool's players walked off the pitch with a hint of disappointment.

They were just a hair's breadth away from widening the gap again.

The Monaco players, on the other hand, all looked somber.

Anyone with eyes could see how pathetic they were in the last ten minutes of the first half.

"First half ends!"

Liverpool are currently leading Monaco 2-1.

Liverpool continued to apply pressure in the second half.

"Monaco managed to hold on to their lead in a thrilling fashion."

"The second half will only be a greater test for Monaco."

"Klopp's team will not give up easily."

Inside the home team's locker room.

As soon as the Liverpool players sat down, they saw Klopp clap his hands.

"Guys, good job in the first half."

"We played our own football."

The players below nodded in agreement.

When they were leading by two goals, they almost completely dominated Monaco.

Just like in the previous Europa League match against Manchester United, they continued to dominate their opponents.

Unfortunately, Monaco managed to pull one back in the end.

Klopp looked over at the tactics board on the side.

"Monaco no longer dares to organize play in their own half."

"This shows that our pressing is very effective."

-

"In the final stages of the second half, they changed their tactics and started launching long balls directly from their own half."

"So next, let's try a different approach."

Klopp kept moving the magnetic player pieces on the tactics board.

"We can stop pressing forward like we did in the first half."

Instead, they pulled back a little to try and secure the second landing spot.

"Wait for Monaco to take the initiative and press forward—"

At this point, Klopp's lips curled into a smile.

"Then we'll wipe them out."

A cheer immediately erupted in the locker room.

Captain Henderson was the first to stand up.

Come on, let's go!

Come on!

The players responded one after another.

the other side.

The away team's locker room was rather quiet.

Yaldin made a few simple sketches on the tactics board.

"Let's continue with the long-passing style of play from the final stages of the first half."

"Let's stall the game first, and when Klopp's team gets tired, the opportunities will naturally arise."

Everyone nodded.

The fifteen-minute halftime break passed in the blink of an eye.

The players from both sides returned to the field.

"Okay, welcome back to the game, everyone." Zhan Jun's voice rang out in the live broadcast room.

Liverpool led Monaco 2-1 at halftime.

"The second half is about to begin."

"Judging from the people entering the venue, neither side has made any personnel changes."

"I wonder if the two renowned coaches will have any special tactical arrangements —"

"Beep"

With the referee's whistle.

The second half of the game has officially begun.

Liverpool continued their first-half rhythm after the kickoff.

Origi led the charge, pressing and pressing forward.

Lallana pressed forward along the flank to exert pressure.

Coutinho roamed around the midfield constantly looking for opportunities.

Emre Can remained close to Jiang Ming.

Everything looked exactly the same as in the first half.

After several minutes of continuous confrontation.

-

Monaco continues to choose the simplest way to pass the ball.

Subasic launched a long ball from the backfield.

Love jumps to contest the first landing point.

Jiang Ming received the return pass and organized the distribution of the ball.

Then the players on the wings advance forward.

Although it did not pose a real threat.

But compared to the most difficult period in the first half, Monaco's performance was much better.

Now they can at least get the ball across the center line.

Sidelines.

Yaldin nodded slightly.

That's it.

No matter how much running Klopp's team can do, it's impossible to maintain a high press for the entire game.

-

Once they're exhausted, they'll be just like Dortmund before.

But at that moment...

Klopp stood on the sidelines.

He made a nearly imperceptible downward pressure gesture.

Time passed by, second by second.

Next attack round.

Monaco kicks off from their own half and lofts the ball towards the front.

The football flew to the vicinity of the center circle.

Löw pushes off with his feet, preparing to jump.

But then I suddenly realized...

Lovren didn't press forward as directly as he did in the first half.

Sakho didn't press the attack early either.

-

Liverpool's entire defense is quietly retreating.

Midfield area.

Emre Jan also stopped sticking to Jiang Ming.

He retreated to the safer half of the field.

Liverpool's defensive focus began to shift to second balls.

In the stands.

Inside the VIP box.

Woodward was looking at the field with great interest.

I was thinking about whether I could learn from the head coach's perspective and observe the game from their point of view.

Suddenly, Van Gaal spoke up: "They're here."

Woodward was taken aback: "What's here?"

Van Gaal watched the subtle changes taking place on the field.

He said calmly, "Klopp's tactical adjustments have already begun."

Seeing that Liverpool had no intention of pressing forward.

The Monaco players on the field made their own judgments.

This must be what Jardim meant when he said: the opponent is starting to get tired.

After all, players aren't donkeys.

It's impossible to maintain a high-intensity run for 90 minutes.

The match is in its 58rd minute.

Subasic launched a long ball from in front of the goal.

It was still a long pass straight to the front of the field.

Lovren did not rush in to fight the first point head-on.

He crouched steadily at the edge of his penalty area.

Löw leaped high into the air.

-

He brushed his forehead.

Lemar passed the ball back to the left wing.

This time.

This played right into Liverpool's hands.

Klein had already positioned himself correctly.

He stepped half a step ahead of Lemar.

He stopped with his chest and smoothly unloaded the ball.

Without pausing for a moment, Klein launched a long pass directly behind Monaco's defense.

Coutinho made a quick start and successfully received the ball.

Liverpool pressed forward in unison.

Lallana, Origi, Milner.

The three forwards sprinted forward with all their might.

This time.

This is Liverpool's most familiar counter-attacking style.

Coutinho dribbled the ball forward to the edge of the penalty area.

Monaco's defense was forced to retreat entirely, but it has not yet been able to fully settle into position.

A gap has been created between the two center-backs.

Coutinho looked up and glanced at the penalty area.

He immediately made a through pass that pierced the defense.

Origi successfully beat the offside trap.

Facing goalkeeper Subasic directly.

One-on-one!

Subasic strikes again.

But this time, Origi did not choose to shoot himself.

Instead, he poked the ball with his toe, sending it sideways to the right wing.

Milner followed up unmarked.

Slightly exert force with the arch of your foot.

Shot into the empty net!

The football rolled into the net.

The net is raised high.