host must win

Chapter 480
Liverpool quickly equalized the score, which made Manchester United's plan to fight back steadily, and then the game fell into a stalemate.

The competition between Yin Jun and Gerrard in the midfield became the main theme of the game. The Red Army's struggling tackles directly brought the game into hand-to-hand combat, which made it difficult for the Red Devils to advance.

In the 18th minute, Fletcher uprooted Traore and was given a yellow card.Ferguson was very dissatisfied with this penalty. He thought that Fletcher's actions were small and the verbal warning was enough.

Then Finnan fouled Yin Jun and Smith twice within half a minute, but the referee only gave him a verbal warning, which aroused Ferguson's strong dissatisfaction.

The Manchester United fans at the scene booed harshly.

Ferguson's face was gloomy. He knew that after the referee called the penalty kick, his mentality changed and he began to show mercy to Liverpool.

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"Smith! Over the beam!"

"Morientes! Off!"

"Yin Jun! Oh, oh, it's only a little short!"

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In the case of a hand-to-hand stalemate in the midfield, neither side had a good chance to score. Both sides began to try long-range shots, but their shots were not very threatening.

Cristiano Ronaldo dribbled the ball in the frontcourt, his speed was very fast, and Traore almost used his hands and feet to bring him to the ground.The referee hesitated for a while, and made a gesture of no foul and the game continued.

Ferguson looked gloomy and looked at the field silently. He had been verbally warned by the referee, and he didn't dare to make any more radical remarks.

"Bennett's law enforcement standards are not uniform." Lineker commented, "If Fletcher just brought Traore down just now, it was a yellow card, Traore should at least be a foul this time."

Manchester United's players were all raising their hands, indicating that Traore had fouled, and Liverpool tried to take the opportunity to launch a quick counterattack.

Yin Jun cleanly tackled the ball at Luis Garcia's feet in a high-speed run, preventing Liverpool's counterattack.

Ferguson applauded from the sidelines, applauding Yin Jun's spare no effort to supplement the defense and clean interception.

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After 3 minutes, O'Shea shoveled and knocked Kewell to the ground. The referee only verbally warned O'Shea this time, which also aroused strong dissatisfaction from Benitez.

Throughout the first half of the game, except for two goals from both sides, the referee became the most eye-catching one on the field.

Both Ferguson and Benitez are very dissatisfied with Bennett.

At 42 minutes into the game, an accident occurred.After Kewell intercepted the ball in midfield, he launched a long pass to counterattack.Morientes ran to chase the ball, but slipped and fell to the ground.

Morientes, who slipped to the ground, was lying on the ground, and Fletcher, who was back on defense, walked over to ask, and then the Manchester United players made a gesture asking the Liverpool team doctor to enter the field.

Benitez swears, and at the same time quickly asked Rubaros to get up to warm up. Liverpool's team doctor entered the field to treat Morientes, and players from both sides took the opportunity to drink water on the sidelines.

After some treatment, Liverpool's team doctor made a gesture: Substitution.

"There was an unexpected situation on the field. Morientes slipped and was injured. He seemed unable to continue the game. Liverpool is about to make a substitution. I hope the problem is not big." Lineker said worriedly.

Liverpool requested a substitution, Morientes left and Baros came on as a substitute.

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A few minutes later, the referee Bennett blew the whistle to end the first half.

After halftime, Manchester United 1:1 Liverpool.

The camera captured that at the player entrance, Manchester United coach Ferguson and Liverpool coach Benitez found the referee Bennett together.

Lineker said: "Bennett's law enforcement in the first half of the game was a disaster. Manchester United was dissatisfied with him. They believed that the law enforcement standards were inconsistent and they played too many cards against Manchester United. Benitez was also very dissatisfied."

In the shot, Benitez pointed to the penalty spot in front of his own goal, apparently still brooding over the penalty.

After returning to the locker room, Giggs found the team doctor. He said he had a little strain, which immediately made Ferguson nervous.Of course he wants to win the League Cup, but he definitely doesn't want to see his players get injured.The season has entered the final sprint stage, and there is no room for mistakes.

After all, the gold content of the League Cup champion is incomparable with the league champion, let alone the Champions League champion.

"You can continue the game." Team doctor Rob Swell personally checked Giggs and said, "However, for safety reasons, I do not recommend Alan to continue the game."

Smith heard the words and was about to speak, but Ferguson said first: "Then come down and rest. Ryan, you have to trust your teammates, and we have more important championships that require you to work hard."

Smith opened his mouth and finally nodded in agreement.

Ferguson added: "In the second half of the game, continue to play according to the tactics of the first half of the game. In addition, be careful not to get injured. We want the championship, but I want everyone to be healthy and win the trophy."

Before the start of the second half, Manchester United requested a substitution, Scholes came off the bench and Smith was substituted.

Manchester United also changed with this substitution adjustment.Scholes, who came off the bench, appeared in the midfielder position. Yin Jun went to the left to form a trident with Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ronaldo. Manchester United continued to maintain a 433 formation.

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The game was fast. Manchester United showed decisive determination and fighting spirit in the second half. Liverpool was almost completely passive. They had difficulty finding a way out in the midfield and were completely suppressed by the Red Devils.

Fletcher received a pass from the defender at the top of the penalty area, and then he turned around and passed the football to Yin Jun who was pulled to the left.

Yin Jun took two steps forward, crossed to Phil Neville, and Phil Neville passed it to Yin Jun.Yin Jun tried to send an overhead pass, but Gerrard pushed the football back.

Fletcher points the football to Scholes, and Scholes knocks the ball directly to Ronaldo on the right.

The Portuguese did not choose to break through with the ball himself this time, but directly made a long diagonal pass and sent the football to the other side!
"Precise diagonal pass!" John Mortensen shouted.

The football crossed the half diagonally and flew straight to the left.

On the left, Yin Jun cut in at high speed, stretched out his left foot and unloaded the ball in the air beautifully.

Ronaldo's diagonal transfer of the ball from the right to the left this time was very imaginative, with a wide field of vision, which directly caught the Liverpool team by surprise.

On the right side of Liverpool, Finnan had just made an assist and had not had time to return to the defense. At this time, seeing Yin Jun taking the ball, Finnan became anxious and chased desperately.However, with all his speed, how could Finnan catch up with Yin Jun?
The Liverpool team's attack was very high just now, which directly led to Ronaldo's simple diagonal pass, which directly tore through Liverpool's defense.

(End of this chapter)