Firmino headed the ball into the net.
The moment he made contact, he knew it was going in.
Because that assist had come from his favorite partner. If he wasted a ball served up by his favorite partner, Firmino did not even dare imagine how much teasing and mockery he would face after the match.
The two best friends linked up successfully once again. Firmino rushed toward Leo Lin, pointing at him and wagging his index finger like a chick pecking at grain.
Leo Lin also ran toward Firmino, making the same finger-wagging motion. Then the two of them jumped and bumped shoulders in midair.
This was the second celebration Leo Lin had come up with, to be rotated with the princess carry.
Some Manchester United fans held their chins in their hands. Some shook their heads. Others stood with hands on hips, watching helplessly as Liverpool players celebrated in their own stadium.
Mourinho's face twisted with anger. He dragged Herrera over to his side.
"I've emphasized this to you countless times."
"I've been telling you this almost every second."
"Lin went to the wing, so why were you still standing in the middle? What were you doing?"
"We cannot give him chances. Absolutely not."
"He has the ability to change the game. He can make us pay the price in an instant. And you gave him exactly that chance."
Herrera had lost his man, and Mourinho did not want that happening again.
"I want you to treat him like a princess. The most beautiful princess in the world."
"You have to chase him like a madman."
Herrera understood.
As Manchester United kicked off for the second time, Liverpool continued to use their excellent wide pressing to restrict United's attack.
Zubizarreta's defensive tactics and Krawietz's targeted approach blended perfectly. Klopp's two key assistants were truly the best of the best.
Staring at Zubizarreta's shining bald head, Scholes looked deeply puzzled.
"Setting aside what's happening on the pitch, what confuses me most is this. Liverpool and Manchester United have both bought a lot of people over the past few seasons, but Liverpool almost never seem to make a bad deal."
"Whether they bring in coaches, support staff, or players, they've signed so many people who offer excellent value for money."
"Lin even came on a free. They didn't spend a penny."
"Bringing in Zubizarreta didn't cost too much either. Salah and Mané didn't have especially high transfer fees."
"Emre Can's transfer can't exactly be called a success, but he still delivered decent performances."
"Van Dijk cost a lot of money, but his performances clearly justify the fee. And Robertson is the perfect example of a high-quality, low-cost full back."
"The success of their recruitment across every area is the key to Liverpool's rise over the past two seasons."
There was nothing more painful than spending a lot of money, only to still lose to an opponent who had spent far less.
But no matter what, Manchester United were not going to surrender at home like this.
Pogba kept sending long passes forward, or trying shots himself from advanced positions.
He was the best-performing player in Manchester United's lineup, but he was up against Liverpool's best player, Leo Lin.
Facing Leo Lin, Pogba felt as if he were facing an octopus covered head to toe in metal armor.
Each of Leo Lin's eight tentacles was covered in metal scales, even lined with barbs, wrapping around his arms, his legs, and his waist.
In the 40th minute.
"Pogba is trying hard to shake off Leo Lin's defense. He pulls the ball back, stops suddenly, tries to break through, but Leo Lin stops him again."
"Leo Lin shifts his center of gravity so quickly. He's strong, and he has rich defensive experience."
"Pogba is dispossessed. Liverpool counter."
"Tactical foul."
"Pogba commits a tactical foul and stops Leo Lin from playing the ball out. The referee shows Pogba a yellow card."
"Leo Lin has ripped out the exhaust pipe and the power transmission system from Manchester United's engine."
The remaining few minutes passed quickly, and the first half ended with the score at 1 to 0.
When Leo Lin returned to the dressing room, the broadcast camera followed right beside him, filming him all the way.
Manchester United fans watching the livestream gritted their teeth at the sight of Leo Lin. The United fans inside the stadium hated him even more fiercely.
"Give me one chance. Let me go up there and trade one for one with Lin. That's the only way Manchester United can turn this around."
"He really is strong, but watching him makes me feel awful."
"How did Mourinho deal with Messi back at Real Madrid? I think he should use the same method on Lin."
"The same method on Lin? Look at the players in Manchester United's squad. Who is even in the same weight class as Lin? I'm not talking about football ability, but physicality and collision strength."
Mourinho wanted to win. He wanted to save his job. This hot potato that was Manchester United had been roasted by Liverpool for far too long.
After a brief adjustment, the players returned to the Theatre of Dreams one after another, and the second half resumed.
"Mourinho makes a substitution. Lingard comes on for Mata."
"He has brought on a younger player with stronger running ability. Mourinho wants to create chances for Lukaku."
Lingard's task after coming on was to help Lukaku.
In the 56th minute.
"Pogba switches play to the right. He can still create passing space for himself through clever movement. Pogba is very capable."
"Lingard holds up under Robertson's pressure and creates a chance on the wing."
"A cross, but the delivery is slightly behind."
"Lukaku."
"The header smashes into Mignolet's leg. Van Dijk clears it."
"A point-blank header. Lukaku did everything he could, but his luck wasn't great."
"He headed it straight onto the goalkeeper's leg. It wasn't that Mignolet made a miracle save, it was more like the save happened to him."
Mourinho immediately applauded. He still firmly believed in Lukaku.
Although Lukaku had a chance, it did not disrupt Liverpool's tactics. After all, no team could completely deny the opponent every single opportunity.
After Lukaku's header, Van Dijk cleared the ball with a long kick.
Rodri headed it on. He was taller than McTominay.
Robertson controlled the ball, and on the far side, Liverpool had already started pushing forward. It was the same attacking routine they had played countless times.
Leo Lin began moving again. This time, he did not pull wide. He rushed into the penalty area.
Robertson sent a long pass to Joe Gomez. Joe Gomez headed it through. Salah shook off Luke Shaw, took one look from the wing, then clipped a curling ball in.
The pass went around Lindelöf, around Smalling, and even around Firmino.
Because Salah's target was Leo Lin at the far post.
Herrera had been watching Leo Lin closely this time, but he was not as fast as Leo Lin.
Leo Lin shook off Herrera and stretched out a leg at the far post.
Like a foot pushing a gear into motion, he guided the ball into the net.
"Again!"
"Lin has scored!"
"After setting up his teammate, he has now received help from Salah in return."
"A beautiful curling clipped pass. Salah is so good at putting that kind of curve on the ball."
Ashley Cole sighed at the quality of Salah's curling pass. He knew how hard that kind of ball was to defend.
"Forget De Gea. No one could save that."
"An open goal at the far post, completely unnoticed."
"This wasn't just losing a man. This was a gap in ability."
"Herrera couldn't keep up with Lin, and Ashley Young couldn't help Herrera defend the space behind him."
When Leo Lin scored, Old Trafford instantly erupted in rage.
The home fans launched furious abuse at Leo Lin, and that was exactly the feeling he wanted.
He took a deep breath, suddenly lifted his head, then slowly exhaled.
His entire body seemed to be written with two words:
Pure enjoyment.
...
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