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

Chapter 98 Rock and Roll Soccer

The next day.

Match day.

After a milk-related video clip appeared on the TV, the live broadcast signal officially switched on.

"Zhuangdian'ertai! Zhuangdian'ertai!"

Good evening, everyone!

"Welcome to the first leg of the 2015-16 UEFA Europa League quarter-finals!"

"Liverpool will host Monaco, a strong team from Ligue 1, at Anfield."

"I am Zhan Jun, the commentator for this match."

"I am Zhang Lu."

"Coach Zhang, everyone's been discussing this match before it started. Considering both teams' recent form and overall strength, who do you think has a better chance of winning?"

Zhan Jun raised a question with a hint of deeper meaning.

Zhang Lu raised an eyebrow and instantly understood what Zhan Jun meant.

"hey-hey."

"If I had to say, Liverpool, as a Premier League team, faces a much more competitive league than Ligue 1."

"Since Klopp took over, Liverpool has developed a viable tactical system."

"And they eliminated Manchester United, who are also from the Premier League, in the Europa League Round of 16."

"Even with Firmino and Benteke sidelined due to injury, I still believe Liverpool will have the upper hand in this match."

After listening to Zhang Lu's analysis.

Zhan Jun smiled and nodded in satisfaction.

"Coach Zhang's analysis is spot on!"

"They even analyzed the league's intensity and competitive state."

11

"But Liverpool still can't let their guard down in this match."

"After all, their opponent is Monaco, who upset both Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain."

"The team has many talented young players, including our young Chinese player Jiang Ming."

"With the tactical setup of renowned manager Jardim, Liverpool faced a tough challenge in this match."

"Hopefully, both teams' players will perform well."

In the stands.

Liverpool fans held up red scarves above their heads.

The DJ at the event was playing Liverpool's team anthem.

"YOU 'LL NEVERWALKALONE'" resounded throughout Anfield Stadium.

Liverpool fans sang along to the music.

"When you walk through a storm

~"

(When you walk through the storm)

Hold your head high!

(Please hold your head high)

"Anddon「tbeafraidofthedark~"

(Don't be afraid of the dark)

-

At the end of the storm

~"

(At the end of the storm)

There is a golden sky.

~

(It was a golden sky)

"And the sweet silversongofalark——"

(And the sweet, silvery song of the lark)

Inside the players' tunnel.

The players from both sides lined up in two rows and stood in their respective positions.

Jiang Ming stood near the entrance of the passageway and could clearly hear the singing coming from outside.

Fabinho suddenly leaned closer.

Listening to the singing outside, he remarked, "The atmosphere in Liverpool is really great."

"Whether it's the team or the fans, everyone feels like they're of one mind."

-

"This is a prestigious family with a century-old history!"

Bernardo Silva nodded: "That's what makes Liverpool so special; they are a team that truly belongs to the city."

"Many Liverpool fans have been watching football since their grandfathers' generation, until their fathers brought their sons to Anfield for the first time, and three generations of the family have been Liverpool fans."

Fabinho couldn't help but sigh, "It would be great to have the chance to play for Liverpool in the future—"

Jiang Ming stood aside and listened.

Just then, the system tone sounded on time.

[Ding! The new stage of the Europa League knockout stage has begun!]

Current stage: Quarterfinals to Semifinals

Current opponent: Liverpool

Current progress: 0%

[Note: The tasks for each stage will be finalized after the two rounds of competition.]

[Rewards will be distributed based on the advancement results.]

The system notification had just finished.

The players' tunnel is open.

Blinding light shone in from the end of the passageway.

The powerful singing reached everyone's ears.

The players from both sides, each holding a caddie, followed the referee team onto the field.

Just then, Liverpool's anthem reached its climax.

The next second, tens of thousands of voices rose in sync.

This culminated in that cry that has resonated for a century:

You'll never walk alone.

(You'll never walk alone)

You'll never walk alone.

~，，（You'll never walk alone）

The singing boomed like thunder over Anfield.

Liverpool players, dressed in red jerseys, raised their arms in response to the chants from the stands.

Jiang Ming walked in the middle of the group.

The deafening singing came over us, mixed with cheers and boos from the fans.

He raised his head and looked at the red ocean.

Tens of thousands of fans waved scarves and sang the same song in different voices.

This is Liverpool, the Red Army, with a history spanning over a century!

"Alright, let's have the players enter the field."

"The starting lineup for this match has also been announced."

Liverpool will primarily use a 4-2-3-1 formation in this match.

Goalkeeper: Mignolet.

"Defenders: Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Alberto Moreno."

Defensive midfielders: Emre Can, Henderson.

Attacking midfielder: Coutinho.

"Forwards: Milner, Origi, Lallana."

"Monaco also adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation."

Goalkeeper: Subasic.

"Defenders: Raggi, Wallace, Carvalho, Etxequiel."

Defensive midfielders: Fabinho, Bakayoko.

Attacking midfielder: Jiang Ming.

"Forwards: Bernardo Silva, Wagner Löw, Lemar."

"Benteke is not included in Liverpool's squad for this match due to a torn ligament in his right knee caused by playing for the national team."

Firmino is also on the bench due to hamstring fatigue.

"Aside from the absence of these two players due to injury, Liverpool fielded their full-strength squad for this match."

"As for Monaco, no one has been injured due to national team matches."

1

"This is a great benefit for them."

The camera slowly pans across the Anfield stands.

"We see Sir Dalglish sitting in the VIP box!" Zhan Jun, a Liverpool fan, suddenly raised his voice.

"This Liverpool king led the Reds to three Champions League titles and eight English top-flight league titles during his playing career."

"For all Liverpool fans, he is the spiritual icon of Anfield."

"Hehehe, this is a true Liverpool legend," Zhang Lu interjected with a laugh.

"That's right." Zhan Jun nodded. "Sitting next to Dalglish is Liverpool owner John Henry and the team's technical director, Michael Edwards."

"All three of Liverpool's key players were present today, which shows how much importance the club attaches to this match."

The camera then panned to another box in the stands.

"This, this is?!" Zhan Jun suddenly paused.

"This is Louis van Gaal, the current manager of Manchester United!"

-

"His Manchester United team lost to Liverpool in the Europa League Round of 16."

"I never expected him to come to watch this game today!"

"Is it because of the recent transfer rumors? —"

Inside the VIP box.

Van Gaal crossed his arms and looked expressionlessly into the stadium.

Although he was formerly Manchester United's manager, it might not have a good impact for him to personally watch his arch-rivals Liverpool's game.

But for Van Gaal, this was actually a necessary examination.

Van Gaal stared at the Chinese boy standing near the center circle.

"Let me see for myself how you perform against Liverpool."

Suddenly, Ed Woodward's voice came from behind.

"Can we sit down and watch the game?"

-

The players from both sides took their positions.

The referee looked down at his wristwatch.

When the time comes.

"Beep"

A crisp whistle pierced the night sky.

Game start!

Monaco kicks off from the center circle.

Jiang Ming passed the ball to Bakayoko.

Bakayoko immediately passed the ball back to center-back Wallace.

The ball had just left Bakayoko's toes.

Liverpool have already pushed into the other half.

Origi charged straight at Wallace, who had the ball.

Lallana and Milner were on the left and right respectively.

Block the passing lanes of the two center-backs.

Henderson and Emre Can pushed forward, compressing the space for Jiang Ming and Fabinho to receive the ball.

Liverpool's entire defensive line moved forward to the vicinity of the center circle simultaneously.

"Liverpool started the game very aggressively!"

"They didn't give Monaco any space to pass the ball out!"

"This is the rock-and-roll football that Klopp has brought to Liverpool this season!"

"Hehehe, that's right," Zhang Lu replied with a smile.

"Look at Liverpool's pressing layers: the strikers cover the center-backs, the wingers cover the flanks, and the defensive midfielders block the midfield; it's all interconnected."

"It seems Klopp made ample preparations before the match."

"Put the designated player against the Monaco player."

On the field.

-

Wallace just stopped the ball.

Origi had already rushed to within a meter of him.

Wallace hurriedly passed the ball across to Raj.

Raji has just received the ball.

Coutinho then posted it.

Raggi could only pass the ball back to goalkeeper Subasic.

Subasic is holding the ball.

Origi had already rushed to the edge of the penalty area.

Subasic dared not launch an attack by throwing the ball, fearing it would be intercepted and stolen.

All they can do is kick it forward.

The football traced an arc in the air.

Before Lemar could even jump.

Klein leaped high and headbutted him back.

Jiang Ming received the ball first thanks to his positioning.

As soon as he received the ball and turned around, Emre Can clung to him like a shadow.

The Germans kept squeezing Jiang Ming's space with their bodies.

At the same time, he stretched out his long legs to interfere with his receiving route.

Jiang Ming managed to protect the ball.

I want to pass to Bernardo Silva on the right wing.

But they discovered that Bernardo Silva had already been entangled with Henderson.

Jiang Ming could only pass the ball back to Fabinho.

Liverpool's high pressing from the start forced Monaco to pass the ball back repeatedly, making it impossible for them to advance past the halfway line.

Subasic launched another long ball.

Lovren headed the ball to the wing this time.

Klein intercepted the ball and immediately passed it to Milner in front.

Milner received the ball, turned around, and shook off Bakayoko's defense.

He dribbled inside along the right flank, drawing the attention of two Monaco defenders.

Suddenly.

Milner made a long pass.

The ball crossed the halfway line and was safely delivered to the left flank.

Moreno made a high-speed run and, without stopping the ball, delivered a 45-degree cross.

Origi headed the ball towards goal at the near post.

The football grazed the post and went out of bounds.

Sidelines.

Klopp, wearing a baseball cap, held his head in his hands.

He didn't feel too much regret afterwards.

He waved to the field.

He signaled to the players to immediately return to defense.

-

the other side.

Yaldin frowned.

I quickly scribbled a few lines in my notebook.

He looked up in Raj's direction.

It seems like I'm getting beaten up pretty badly.

"Oh dear! So close!" Zhan Jun said with a hint of regret.

"Origi's header! Just a hair's breadth away!"

"Hehehe, Monaco's right flank has been breached," Zhang Lu analyzed.

"Ragi simply can't keep up with Moreno's speed."

"Liverpool's attacking focus is very clear: attack Moreno's side."

The game continues.

Liverpool's pressing showed no signs of stopping.

As soon as a Monaco player gets the ball.

At least two Liverpool players will immediately move in to double-team them.

Jiang Ming is the midfield core of Monaco.

They received special attention and care.

Every time he gets the ball.

Emre Can would post it immediately.

Henderson was on the sidelines, ready to provide backup defense at any time.

Jiang Ming barely had time to look up and observe.

It can only continuously transmit back and forth.

Lemar barely gets the ball on the left wing.

They can only keep retreating to provide support.

But he returned to midfield.

They would immediately be surrounded by Liverpool players.

The 12th minute of the match.

Jiang Ming received the ball in midfield and tried to get past Emre Can with a feint.

But the Germans were prepared and poked the ball away from his feet.

Liverpool launched a counter-attack on the spot.

Coutinho dribbles the ball forward quickly.

He was then brought down by Bakayoko just outside the penalty area.

Liverpool were awarded a free kick in an excellent position.

Coutinho took the penalty himself.

After a run-up, he curled a shot towards the near corner of the goal.

The football went around the wall of players.

But Subasic leaped out to tackle him.

"A beautiful save!" Zhan Jun exclaimed.

"Subasic did a great job! Otherwise, Liverpool would be leading right now!"

Inside the VIP box.

Van Gaal nodded: "Klopp's tactics are indeed impressive."

"High pressing and quick transitions are a perfect counter to Monaco's individualistic style of play."

Woodward, sitting beside him and sipping his cola, said, "So, does that mean Liverpool is guaranteed to win?"

Van Gaal pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

"It's still early."

"Liverpool's style of play won't last long."

"And Monaco's counter-attack speed is very fast."

"If Liverpool's defense makes even the slightest mistake, Monaco will have a chance to turn the tide."

-

The game on the field continues.

Liverpool's attack is getting more and more intense.

The Monaco players were under immense pressure.

They could only run themselves ragged around the edge of the penalty area.

Their passing errors are increasing.

They simply cannot organize an effective attack.

The 18th minute of the match.

Liverpool launched another high press.

Wallace receives the ball just outside the penalty area.

Origi immediately pounced on him.

In a panic, Wallace tried to pass the ball to Raggi, but made a fatal mistake.

Lallana burst out from the side and intercepted the ball.

He did not hesitate.

Immediately pass the ball to Coutinho next to him.

Coutinho cuts inside after receiving the ball.

It attracted the attention of two Monaco defenders.

Just when everyone thought he was about to shoot.

Coutinho suddenly tapped his heel.

The ball was passed across to Moreno, who had made a run down the left flank.

Moreno dribbled the ball down to the byline.

He immediately delivered a cross.

Origi made a clever run and cut in from the middle.

A header from close range!

The football headed straight for the goal.

Swah—

Subasic didn't even have time to make a save.

He looked back.

The white net behind me trembled.

The football rolled back.

"6

"

'

"YEAHHHHHH!!!"

More than 40,000 Liverpool fans stood up at the same time.

A deafening cheer erupted.

In front of the Liverpool substitutes' bench on the sidelines.

Klopp jumped up and swung his right fist hard.

"Goal!!" Zhan Jun's excited voice echoed throughout the live broadcast room.

"The 18th minute of the match!"

"1-0!!"

"Liverpool are in the lead!"

"Origi!!"

"He received Moreno's cross, surged forward from the center, and headed the ball into the net!"

Anfield is boiling over!

"This is Klopp's rock and roll football!!"

"High pressing forced an error from the opposing player, leading to a counter-attack and a goal!"