"Alright, alright, alright. Let's take a look at Liverpool's record over the past month."
"Clearly, the Premier League still wasn't ready for the return of a full-strength Liverpool."
"The records of the recent teams that faced Liverpool can only be described as miserable."
December 26, the Premier League monthly review meeting.
"Since their 7 to 0 win over Everton in Matchday 15, Liverpool have gone on a winning streak."
"First, in Matchday 16 of the Premier League, they won 4 to 1. Salah scored a hat trick in a terrifying performance, while Leo Lin contributed two assists."
"Then, in the fifth round of the Champions League group stage, Liverpool snatched a 1 to 0 win over Napoli. Leo Lin's beautiful goal is still fresh in my mind."
"Liverpool also successfully secured top spot in their Champions League group and advanced, becoming one of the sixteen teams in this season's Champions League knockout stage."
"In Matchday 17 of the Premier League, Liverpool beat Wolves 3 to 0. Rodri's long range strike, along with long range goals from Fabinho and Salah, made that match what Liverpool fans called a long shot feast."
"Against Newcastle on December 22, Leo Lin scored twice, continuing to increase his league goal tally this season, while Salah and Mané each got a goal as well."
"After the match against Newcastle, with 18 rounds of the Premier League completed, Liverpool were top of the table with fifteen wins, two defeats, and one draw, giving them 46 points."
"Behind them, Manchester City were second with fourteen wins, three defeats, and one draw, on 43 points. They were three points behind the leaders."
"Manchester City had finally managed to build up a points advantage by taking advantage of Liverpool's injury crisis, only for Liverpool to pull away again. And now City are starting to fall behind Liverpool on goal difference as well."
Watching Liverpool tear through opponents like this, Scholes once again smelled the scent of a title.
"With 18 Premier League rounds completed, the Champions League group stage is also nearing its end."
"Right now, Liverpool are scoring from all over the pitch. Salah, Mané, and Firmino are all performing brilliantly."
"In 18 league matches, midfield core Lin has scored ten goals and provided eight assists, directly creating eighteen goals for the team."
"At the same time, in terms of chance creation, Lin has created 57 chances across 18 league matches, ranking first in the Premier League."
"In the Champions League, Lin has five goals and two assists, and that is despite missing nearly two matches."
"Lin has also missed time in the league, and recently, to avoid injury issues, Klopp has mostly only given him around 70 minutes per match before taking him off to rest."
"There is a very direct ranking for goal creation efficiency this season. It measures the average number of goals created per 90 minutes across the first 18 Premier League matches, including goals and assists."
"Lin ranks first with 1.02 per 90 minutes, the highest efficiency. Salah is second with 0.99, Manchester City's Agüero is third with 0.97, and De Bruyne is fourth with 0.96."
"Liverpool are firing on every front."
"Salah has already smashed in twelve goals this season, putting him joint top of the Premier League scoring chart with Agüero."
"Since joining the team early last season, Salah has had a full season to settle in, and this season he has exploded completely."
By December 22, the Premier League schedule had mostly wrapped up for the month. On January 1, there would be the North-West derby, with Manchester United facing Liverpool.
Before then, Liverpool would have a rare nine days of rest.
Klopp generously gave the players three days off, though the days were staggered.
They would train for one day, rest for one day, train for another day, then rest again.
More than a month of matches had made Leo Lin's football life extremely full, but away from the pitch, Barnett always felt Leo Lin should have more to his life.
"You shouldn't spend all your time on the pitch. You're an adult. Apart from football, there are plenty of things worth paying attention to."
Barnett had always felt Leo Lin's life off the pitch was not rich enough. Just as he was worrying about how to expand Leo Lin's personal life, the perfect opportunity appeared.
Maria was about to celebrate her 18th birthday.
On December 30, Maria would turn 18, and Maria and Guardiola decided to hold a birthday party to celebrate her coming of age.
On December 29, Leo Lin was at home battling Ocho in a mountain off road racing game when Maria's arrival interrupted the boys' competition.
"Lin, tomorrow is my birthday. Did you prepare a birthday gift for me?"
Leo Lin was chewing gum, focused on the mountain off road game. Ocho, on the other hand, had already prepared his gift. He had also received an invitation to Maria's birthday party.
"Of course. You'll find out tomorrow. I guarantee you'll like it."
Leo Lin answered with a smile.
Maria then joined the mountain off road competition, and she drove better than both Leo Lin and Ocho.
After losing ten races in a row, Leo Lin leaned back in his gaming chair and looked at Maria, who was making a victory V sign beside him.
He had things he wanted to say, but he did not know where to begin.
Ocho tactfully left, giving the two of them some space. But Maria soon had to leave as well, since she had to prepare for the birthday party.
Before leaving, Maria agreed to meet Leo Lin at noon the next day. Maria wanted Leo Lin to help her prepare the birthday party.
Leo Lin did not know when a boy looked his most handsome. He only knew that at this very moment, he had to be the most handsome man in the world.
His outfit had been put together by his teammate Firmino. Youthful clothes, paired with a carefully styled haircut.
When Leo Lin arrived at the meeting place, Maria was looking around. The moment she saw Leo Lin, her eyes clearly lit up.
After handing the cotton candy in her hand to Leo Lin, Maria leaned against the fence and sat directly on the ground, without the slightest airs.
Leo Lin sat down beside her. Maria looked very tired, and behind them was the main venue for the birthday party.
Maria had been busy all night and all morning. Now she had slipped out through the back door to get some fresh air.
"Today is my birthday."
Maria looked at Leo Lin.
"I'm an adult now, Lin."
Leo Lin nodded solemnly. He did not know how he should answer, but he felt he could understand the hint in Maria's words.
Just as the atmosphere was becoming a little tense, a golden Retriever puppy the color of dark soy sauce suddenly appeared and barked loudly at Maria.
"Woof!"
Maria instinctively threw herself into Leo Lin's arms. A sweet fragrance filled his senses, and Leo Lin wrapped his arms around her in return.
"Lin, if you could be with me, I think my dad would be very happy."
Her voice was very soft, but Maria said those words right beside Leo Lin's ear.
Leo Lin immediately replied, "I have my doubts about the second half of that sentence, but I'd be very happy to say yes."
Maria let out a bell like laugh and hugged Leo Lin tightly. Leo Lin held Maria with his left arm, then raised his right foot and gave the dark soy sauce colored Golden Retriever puppy a little fist bump.
"Thanks, buddy."
The Golden Retriever puppy shook itself and barked back.
"Who are you thanking?" Maria asked curiously.
Leo Lin put his arm around Maria and walked toward the venue.
"Ah, no one. Come on, let's keep setting up the party venue."
"Okay, okay. But this puppy doesn't seem to have an owner. Should we adopt it?"
"Adopt it? But a dark soy sauce colored puppy like this probably has a lot of tricks up its sleeve..."
"Hey! I just helped you win the girl, and now you're thinking of abandoning me at a time like this?"
"But since you want to, let's adopt it."
"Yay!"
"But what should we name it?"