This was undoubtedly the most spectacular pre-match show of support football fans had ever seen.
Fans watching the live broadcast were stunned. Even the commentators couldn't hide their amazement.
Surrounded by Liverpool supporters, the team bus slowly came to a halt. One by one, Liverpool's players stepped off in suits and made their way into Anfield.
On both sides of the walkway, fans roared wildly.
"Lin! No matter the result, we'll always support you!"
"Come on! Liverpool!"
"Let's go! Liverpool will win!!!"
Leo Lin slapped hands with fans along the entrance tunnel, his expression serious.
For some reason, in this moment he felt that he would rather die on the pitch than be eliminated by Bayern.
...
7:50 PM, Liverpool dressing room.
Ten minutes before kickoff.
Klopp had intended to say something, but after standing up he simply pointed toward Leo Lin.
"Lin, anything you want to say?"
Leo Lin clearly hadn't expected Klopp to give him the floor at that moment, but he showed no hesitation.
The Liverpool players formed a circle around him.
Leo Lin stepped into the center and spoke.
"These past few days, I've replayed in my mind how we walked out of the Allianz Arena."
"I'm proud of what we did in the first leg."
"We left with our heads held high—and we brought our chance of qualification back to Anfield."
His gaze swept across every teammate.
The intensity radiating from him filled the entire dressing room.
"Everyone! Everyone says we're finished!"
"Bundesliga fans are already celebrating Bayern reaching the final. Some of them even made posters for Bayern vs Real Madrid, mocking us and saying Premier League teams only fight among themselves!"
"But I know one thing."
"We will never give up!"
"Once we step on that pitch—stay calm!"
"Guard your area like you're guarding your own life!"
Leo Lin roared.
"We'll fight them in the attacking third!"
"We'll fight them in midfield!"
"We'll fight them in defense!"
"In our penalty box!"
"In their penalty box!"
"We'll fight them on every single blade of grass on this pitch!"
"Come on, guys!"
"We're ready to die for this!"
"Let them see what Liverpool really is!!!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Leo Lin charged into the player tunnel.
Liverpool's entire starting lineup followed him.
Referee Clément Turpin was already waiting.
...
Inside the broadcast studio, Derek Rae continued commentary.
"The highly anticipated clash—the second leg of the Champions League semifinal—is about to begin!"
"Both sides have submitted their starting lineups. First, Bayern Munich. There are some adjustments compared to the first leg."
"Goalkeeper: Neuer!"
"Defenders: Alaba, Boateng, Hummels, Kimmich!"
"Midfielders: Javi Martínez, Thiago, Thomas Müller!"
"Thomas Müller returning from injury is certainly good news for Bayern."
"Forwards: Ribéry, Lewandowski, Robben!"
Derek Rae continued.
"For Liverpool, Joe Gomez and Emre Can are suspended due to red cards in the first leg."
"Goalkeeper: Mignolet!"
"Defenders: Robertson, Lovren, Matip, Arnold!"
"Midfielders: Henderson, Wijnaldum, Leo Lin!"
"Forwards: Mané, Firmino, Salah!"
"Both teams are now on the pitch. The match is about to begin!"
Anfield was packed to capacity.
Liverpool supporters roared nonstop.
A massive tifo slowly unfolded across the South Stand.
A flamingo wearing a Liverpool jersey screamed toward the sky, its arrogant eyes and curved wings pointing directly toward the Bayern players walking onto the pitch.
Moments later—
Henderson won the coin toss.
Liverpool would kick off.
"Liverpool will start the match. Tonight's referee is France's famous official Clément Turpin, regarded by many fans as a future world-class referee."
"That shows just how seriously UEFA is taking this match."
"Strange…"
As Derek Rae spoke, he suddenly noticed something unusual.
Seven Liverpool players were lined up across the halfway line.
They were clearly preparing for an immediate attack.
"WHISTLE!!!"
The match began.
Bayern immediately dropped back as seven Liverpool players surged forward.
Firmino tapped the kickoff backward.
Wijnaldum received it and quickly pushed it to Leo Lin.
Leo Lin didn't even stop the ball.
He instantly sent a precise curling pass toward the right side.
Everyone thought it was meant for Salah.
But Salah cleverly let the ball run through his legs.
Behind him, Arnold surged forward onto it.
The entire Anfield crowd rose to their feet.
Arnold delivered the cross.
A cutback!
Javi Martínez was tightly marking Firmino, completely unaware that a dark figure had already burst forward behind him.
Leo Lin made a late run.
In just two seconds, he charged all the way from midfield to the edge of Bayern's penalty arc.
He drew back his leg like a bow.
Swung through the ball.
Putting every ounce of power into the strike.
Contact!!!
"BANG!!!"
A thunderous low drive!
Neuer froze in place.
The ball shot forward like an arrow—
Straight into the net!
Liverpool launch a lightning strike against Bayern!
1–0!
Steven Gerrard threw his arms into the air and roared.
"GOAL!!!!!!!!"
"A first-minute strike!!!"
"A lightning attack!!!"
"Leo Lin scores!"
"The aggregate score is now 1–2!!!"
"Brilliant!!!"
"There is still plenty of time left—but Liverpool are now just one goal away from leveling the tie!"
"It may be time to remind the entire football world in Europe…"
"To remind them exactly who Liverpool are in the Champions League!!!"