Full-level pass, please call me the speaker of the Three Lions

Chapter 404: Reds vs. Reds! Counterattack vs. High Pressing!

Time: January 2016, 10

Location: Liverpool, Anfield Stadium

Background: Round 8 of the Premier League, Manchester United vs Manchester United
Since the game kicked off in the evening, and Manchester and Liverpool are very close.

So that afternoon, Manchester United players, led by Mourinho, arrived at Anfield on the team bus.

Even though they were very low-key, they were targeted by Liverpool fans from the moment the team bus drove into Liverpool!

"Fuck off!"

"Shit!"

"Get back!"

"Son of the Beach!"

Sitting by the window, even with headphones on, Ling Feng could feel the disgust of the Liverpool fans towards him from their gestures and expressions outside the window.

Of course, not all Liverpool fans are like this.

When many female Liverpool fans saw him, they waved and greeted him happily.

Ling Feng also smiled and waved, fully showing his open-minded side.

Originally, both sides were relatively restrained before the game.

They just post historical confrontations on their respective official social media accounts to insult their opponents.

However, at the pre-match press conference, Mourinho directly opened up the wounds of Liverpool players and fans, and then rubbed salt on them!

Mourinho first said that Liverpool was nothing special and was no different from other big clubs.

Then he deliberately mentioned the game in 14 when Liverpool lost the Premier League title and Gerrard had a shocking slip.

Claimed that he could beat Liverpool even with substitutes.

In response to this, the media reporters at the scene all looked excited and started typing away on their laptops.

Magic Bird is such a person!

Against the backdrop of the team's seven consecutive league wins and no defeat in all competitions so far, Mourinho certainly has the confidence to say such arrogant words.

This is also the reason why his reputation is polarized.

People who like him will like him very much, and people who hate him will hate him very much!

You know, that game is the most painful thing that all Liverpool fans don’t want to mention!

Klopp also responded to Mourinho's behavior of rubbing salt into the opponent's wounds:
"I have to remind Jose that he is no longer at Chelsea and he was sacked."

"Congratulations to him for coming to Manchester United, it's a very good result. However, we will do our best to stop them!"

"You know, this is Anfield!"

The battle between the two coaches at the press conference added a bit of gunpowder to the game.

When Manchester United players were warming up before the game, they were also warmly greeted by Liverpool fans:
"I'm a bastard!"

"Manchester United get lost!"

"Ling, you idiot!"

Lin Huang, who was doing warm-up exercises with Ling Feng, glanced at the home team fans in the stands who were giving the middle finger, and said with a smile:

"My friend, I've already told you that joining Manchester United is definitely the wisest decision! You won't feel this tense derby atmosphere in Leicester City!"

"I think the Liverpool fans will boo you when you get the ball on the pitch."

Facing Lingard's ridicule, Ling Feng also smiled.

"Why do you look so happy when you are scolded? Are you a masochist?"

"Hehe, I'm just very excited. I can't wait to get on the stage!"

"You sound as if you have a chance to play."

Hearing this, Lingard did not get depressed on the spot, but came up and whispered:

"Hey, let's make a deal. In the first half, you score a goal and then assist Zlatan. Then I'll have a chance to come on as a substitute in the second half!"

"Do you think goals and assists will come easily?"

"Of course, you are the best player in the Premier League!"

Looking at Lingard's self-righteous expression, Ling Feng opened his mouth, but in the end he could only give a thumbs up, giving his first like of the day.

What he said makes a lot of sense and I was speechless!

"Welcome to watch the focus battle of the eighth round of the Premier League on time, Liverpool will face the menacing top team Manchester United at home!"

"Before the game, let's take a look at the starting lineups of the two teams."

“The starting lineup for the home team”

"In the goalkeeper position, German Karius continues to replace Mignolet and become the starting player."

"On the defensive line, Milner, Matip, Lovren, Klein"

"The defensive midfielder is Emre Can and captain Henderson."

"On the offensive line, Coutinho and Mane are on the left and right, Firmino is in the middle, and Sturridge is at the front!"

It can be said that Klopp sent out the strongest eleven players he had!
"Manchester United, who played away, had no changes from the previous game against Stoke City, except that Rashford, who has been in hot form recently, replaced Martial."

"The goalkeeper is still De Gea, the defense line: Luke Shaw, Smalling, Bailly, Valencia."

"Kante and Herrera will be in the midfield. Ling Feng is slightly ahead, while Rashford and captain Rooney are on the left and right."

"Ibrahimovic single arrow!"

This season, Manchester United's front players have been in full swing and shining, always making the front pages of the media.

However, only insiders can see that the reason why Manchester United's offense has been completely transformed is largely due to Ling Feng.

All Mourinho did was to give Ling Feng enough trust and tactical freedom, allowing today's most creative midfielder to give full play to his abilities!
This is also a feature of his team's offense - relying particularly on the superb abilities of individual stars to lead the whole from one point, thereby revitalizing the frontcourt offense!
However, Mourinho's forte is building a defensive system.

Kante's joining can be said to have made the team's backbone stronger.

After the introduction of Bailly, the central defender combination of Bailly and Smalling has become very complementary in terms of responsibilities.

Bailly has speed and can steal the ball; Smalling has the advantage of height and can fall back to provide protection.

The two wingers are also quite stable!

Valencia, who changed from a winger to a full-back, is not only fast but also has plenty of physical strength.

Not only can he play both up and down, but his defense is also very solid.

Perhaps because he was born as a winger, he has a good grasp of the attacking methods and means of a winger.

Everyone can see Luke Shaw's progress.

Thanks to Ling Feng's help, Luke Shaw recovered very well both physically and mentally after suffering a serious leg injury.

In addition, the team's offense is sharp this season, and the opponents do not put much pressure on the defense, allowing him to repeatedly join the offense while ensuring the stability of the wing defense.

He started in six of the seven league games, provided two assists, and averaged over seven points per game in his post-match rating!

Luke Shaw firmly occupies the main position of left back with his diligent running and active defense. Many people believe that this former Southampton genius is getting rid of the shadow of last year's broken leg and starting to realize his talent step by step.
. . .

The stadium was filled with singing, and it was obvious that it was Liverpool fans singing "You'll Never Walk Alone"

In the somewhat narrow player passage, Ling Feng also felt the solemn atmosphere between the players of both teams, which almost made the air freeze.

This reminded him of Rooney's pre-match mobilization before he left the locker room:
The Double Red Meeting is not a war, but more like a war!
We must win this war!

Go ahead, Manchester United!
Therefore, in order to avoid suspicion, he did not take the initiative to greet his two national team teammates Henderson and Milner, but just stood silently at the end of the queue, adjusting his socks.

In this game, Manchester United, playing away, wore blue jerseys.

Just as he looked at the Red Army players, Emre Can suddenly turned around and glared at him.

Seeing this, Ling Feng just smiled coldly and raised his chin towards him.

This kid seems to have forgotten the time he was beaten by himself in the League Cup
It is worth mentioning that in an interview before the game, the Red Army midfielder claimed that Ling Feng is indeed outstanding and is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.

But he is not unstoppable.

Then Emre Can also said that in order to avenge the defeat in the League Cup final, he was fully prepared to freeze Ling Feng.

I would rather let the ball pass by me than let anyone pass by me!

There was a hint of threat in his tone.

However, when Lingard told him about it, Ling Feng just smiled contemptuously and didn't care at all.

It's just the howling of a defeated enemy!
If he were to write down the names of every person he defeated, his little notebook would have been filled up long ago.

Seeing Ling Feng's expression of not taking him seriously at all, Emre Can's expression was gloomy, and his heart was already
"You self-righteous bastard! When we get on the field, I'll let you taste my power."

Soon, following the introduction of the stadium DJ, players from both teams lined up and walked onto the court.

After the pre-match ceremony, referee Anthony Taylor blew a long whistle and raised his hand.

This highly anticipated Red Derby has officially begun!
This is Klopp's second season as Liverpool manager.

Strictly speaking, this is his first full season coaching Liverpool.

Even though it has only been a year, both opponents and fans can clearly feel that the German coach's transformation of the team has begun to bear fruit.

Especially the intensity of the pressing in high positions is simply eye-opening!
Normal competitions are no exception.

Manchester United, who kicked off first, were collectively oppressed by Liverpool's frontcourt players.

As soon as he got the ball, Ling Feng saw Sturridge rushing towards him.

At the same time, he also saw Firmino following closely behind with a cunning look on his face.

Yo, high press?!
He twisted his body and hips, pretending to pass the ball to Rooney on the right, then tricked Sturridge into shifting his body weight to the right, and then pulled the ball sideways and passed it directly from the left side.

Then, facing Firmino who was following closely, Ling Feng feinted with his upper body, pretended to break through to the right, and then he moved the inside of his right foot and passed Firmino again.

The key to cracking the high-pressure tactics lies in effective passing, running and the ability to pass the ball under pressure!
If one person gets the ball, the other teammates don't run to the open space to receive the ball, but instead stand there with their hands on their hips and watch.

The player with the ball will definitely be surrounded and snatched away by opponents, thus losing possession of the ball.

Unless, of course, the one with the ball is Messi.

Or Ling Feng!
Compared to Messi, who has a terrifying step frequency and an extremely low center of gravity, the key to Ling Feng's fearlessness of being pressed lies in his God's vision.

Even without observing, he always knows the positions of the players around him.

He knows exactly where the people are and from which direction the opponents will come to press.

Coupled with his extraordinary speed and reaction, he would often step out calmly before the opponent's pressing circle was formed!

"Pretty!"

"Ling Feng showed off his superb skills right from the start!"

"Ling Feng advances with the ball."

After passing two players, Ling Feng took two steps forward, attracted the defensive players to get closer, and then passed the ball to Rashford who was in the open space on the left.

The latter took the ball and made a soup along the sidelines!
It’s a pity that Liverpool’s right-back Klein is not a pushover either.

This English winger, who became famous at Crystal Palace, is known for his speed and confrontation.

In the Three Lions, he often plays one-on-one with wingers such as Rashford and Sterling, and has long been familiar with these
He just accelerated and blocked the position first, separating Rashford from the ball.

Rashford still suffered from his youth and was scratched from behind.

Klein fell to the ground and received the referee's whistle for a foul as he wished.

This wave of clean defense also received warm applause from the home team fans.

Klein stood up, walked forward, patted Rashford on the butt, and smiled slightly.

Young man, are you trying to make soup in front of me?
Do you think you are Ling Feng?

Afterwards, after the ball was kicked out, Liverpool, with the advantage of home court, quickly organized an attack.

Compared with the League Cup final eight months ago, Liverpool's passing and cutting cooperation was obviously simpler. There were often not too many ineffective back passes in the midfield and backcourt, and the ball was passed to the feet of the frontcourt players.

When Coutinho gets the ball, whether it is Sturridge, Firmino, or Emre Can in front of him, they will run around him and create space.

However, even Liverpool, who are very particular about running without the ball, have no better solution when facing Manchester United, whose overall formation has shrunk.

Faced with Manchester United's bus tactics, the home team fans also booed.

"Appeared!"

"Mourinho's bus!"

Seeing that the passing space was too narrow, Coutinho, who was holding the ball on the left, faced Rooney's defense. He feinted with his upper body, did a bicycle kick, and suddenly cut inside.

Then, when Rooney was caught off guard, he kicked the ball directly into the air!

Bang!
This long shot from the edge of the penalty area was of good quality, with good speed and angle, and it went straight to the upper corner behind the goal.

Unfortunately, De Gea was concentrating and with a flying side dive, he saved the ball outside the penalty area on the left.

Luke Shaw blocked his position in time, and then under Mane's pressure, he turned around and made a straight pass to Kante who came over to meet the ball.

The latter dribbled the ball several meters forward and passed it to Ling Feng in front of him.

Just when Ling Feng was holding the ball with his back to the goal, Liverpool's midfielder James came up and pushed him hard with both hands, knocking him down from behind.

Of course, Ling Feng had him pushed down on purpose.

Beep!
The referee blew the whistle for a foul.

After committing the foul, Zhan showed no regrets at all, but raised his chin towards Ling Feng:

"Don't even think about getting the ball!"

Facing Zhan's renewed provocation, Ling Feng just raised his eyebrows and retorted:

"You can try!"

In the first ten minutes, both sides were just testing the stability of each other's defense.

The defensive strategies of the two sides are completely different:
Once Liverpool were in possession, United’s defence would drop back and defend in a low block;
Once Manchester United took control of the ball, Liverpool's overall formation pressed forward and pressed high.

This is also a game and collision of the tactical core concepts of the two head coaches Mourinho and Klopp:
Defensive counterattack VS high pressing!

(End of this chapter)