"Leo Lin is stepping up. It's obvious—Klopp wants him taking this free kick."
Leo Lin stood over the ball, set his stance, and prepared to strike. Anfield fell silent.
Southampton lined up a tall defensive wall. Ward-Prowse lingered just behind Leo Lin, ready to watch—only thing missing was popcorn.
Leo Lin took a deep breath and glanced at the goal. The Rainbow Free Kick ability seemed to flicker in his mind.
Then—
A bold idea.
He decided to take it differently.
He began his run-up.
The Southampton wall jumped high!
All eyes tracked upward—
But the ball never rose.
Instead, a dark blur slid under the wall.
A low drive.
Near post.
Dean froze.
He never imagined a ground-hugging free kick.
The pace wasn't blistering. The angle wasn't outrageous.
But it was unexpected.
It was like facing Thor in battle. Everyone braced for thunder and lightning—
And instead he lands and slaps the first soldier across the face.
Did you see that coming?
No.
Not lethal.
But humiliating.
Southampton stood stunned as the ball rolled into the net.
Leo Lin hopped lightly back toward his own half.
Firmino ran into the goal, scooped up the ball, and sprinted back with it in his arms—faint scrapes still visible on his right hand.
Jon Champion chuckled.
"What more can you say? Leo Lin has justified Klopp's decision entirely."
"People call Ward-Prowse the Premier League's free kick specialist—but perhaps they've overlooked his strongest rival."
"Leo Lin."
...
Liverpool kept pressing. Anfield roared back to life.
Southampton retreated deep, weathering the storm.
The Red Arrow Trio began taking defenders on more aggressively down the flanks.
40th minute.
"Lovren threads a penetrating pass forward!"
"Firmino turns—slips it diagonally!"
"Mané into the box!"
"Tight angle—shoots!"
"Goal!"
"Sadio Mané!"
"Liverpool turn it around before halftime!"
2–1.
Mané waved the others over.
The front four sprinted shoulder to shoulder, soaking in the roar of Anfield.
"Liverpool deserve this lead."
"They've been the more proactive side."
"They must control the tempo now—and find the next goal. They cannot give Manchester City hope in the title race."
Halftime.
Klopp looked pleased.
His tactical tweak had worked instantly—though it came at Emre Can's expense.
The momentum was firmly Liverpool's.
Fans grabbed hot dogs and beer, relaxed smiles everywhere.
...
Second half.
56th minute.
"Southampton struggling—long ball forward."
"Højbjerg flicks it on—off Henderson's hand!"
"Free kick given. Accidental handball, but it blocked the passing lane."
Dangerous position.
Liverpool fans instinctively paused mid-bite.
Ward-Prowse again.
Ten seconds later—
"Ward-Prowse!"
"He's done it again!"
"Another direct free kick!"
"Southampton equalize!"
Hot dogs dropped. Beer spilled.
Klopp looked furious.
Free kicks were punishing him.
...
67th minute.
Quick combinations.
One-two.
Another.
Leo Lin orchestrated through the middle, shifting play wide.
Salah cut it back.
Wijnaldum stepped inside—
Romeu lunged in late.
Foul.
Yellow card.
Leo Lin immediately moved toward the ball.
The crowd quieted.
Even fans bending down to retrieve fallen hot dogs froze.
Jon Champion's voice lowered.
"If he scores this…"
The stadium held its breath.
Leo Lin stepped back three paces.
Anfield thundered:
"Lin!"
"Lin!"
"Lin!"
Jon Champion spoke softly.
"When tens of thousands chant your name, something changes."
"Even if your opponent were some unstoppable superhero, you'd still want to take him on."
Leo Lin felt it.
He calmed himself.
Eyes fixed on the top-left corner.
Run-up.
Light stride.
Left leg swings.
Contact.
"Bang!"
Clean strike.
The ball climbed—
Then dipped viciously.
Top corner.
Net rippling.
Anfield exploded.
Leo Lin sprinted away.
"Ohhhh!"
"Two!"
"Another free kick!"
"Leo Lin scores twice from set pieces!"
"Outstanding!"
"Superb!"
He reached the sideline, shrugged, palms up—expression almost dismissive.
As if free kicks were routine.
Across social media platforms, the highlight spread instantly, pinned to the top of trending pages.
The image: Leo Lin shrugging with that indifferent expression.
Headline:
"No Students Accepted."