Chapter 541: Counterattack

"This Liverpool team gives people a feeling of both familiarity and unfamiliarity. According to Klopp's past coaching philosophy against teams with strong ball control, he adopted a defensive counterattack, especially when the team was leading. Except for Li Qing who was at the forefront of the front line, all other players retreated to the 30-meter area to assist in defense. Now they are actually strengthening their offensive when they are leading in the score..."

He Wei, the commentator of Tianchao Channel 5, said in a deep voice: "This is an unexpected change. Perhaps... continuous victories and glory have brought a lot of confidence to Klopp. In addition, Liverpool players themselves have strong strength, so they can go head-to-head with Manchester City led by Guardiola."

Liverpool, which strengthened its offensive, forced the defenders in control of the ball to take decisive long-foot clearances through continuous high-risk pressure, thus avoiding the possibility of Li Qing's previous interception and counterattack to score.

Manchester City coach Guardiola stood on the sidelines with a frown, not knowing how to make adjustments. Fernandinho must stay on the field to defend, De Bruyne and David Silva are the team's offensive dual cores, and no one can easily retreat from the front line.

Then we can only think of a way to pass through the two flanks. The problem is that Bernardo Silva replaced Mahrez at the beginning of the second half, and the only choice left is between Aguero and Sterling.

"Huh?"

When Guardiola noticed the left-back Mendy, his eyes lit up. Manchester City, which he managed, can play a three-center-back system, and Mendy also has a yellow card on his back, which is a huge hidden danger for the next game.

Thinking of this, he turned his head to look at the coaching bench and shouted to his assistant Arteta to call Jesus from the warm-up area and prepare to come on the bench.

However, just when Guardiola was explaining the tactics to Jesus, the situation on the field suddenly changed.

Liverpool's attack came to the left, and Li Qing and Salah changed positions without any warning. Guardiola, who was explaining the situation to Jesus, glanced at him, and his heart "clicked" and felt a strong sense of uneasiness.

Jesus listened attentively, but he didn't hear the head coach Guardiola speak for a long time. He raised his eyebrows and looked over. He saw Guardiola looking at the court. Out of curiosity, Jesus followed him.

The football came to the middle of Manchester City's defense, about 30 meters away from the goal. Wijnaldum, who was responsible for the transition, did not stick to the ball, but passed it directly to Salah, who came to the right rib of the attack. The latter also did not stick to the ball, and he directly passed it to Li Qing.

"aoaooaoaooaoaoooooo——"

Suddenly, Anfield Stadium boiled, and a huge cheer like a tsunami broke out.

In the fanatical atmosphere, left-back Mendy's forehead was sweating, and he felt more and more pressure. Li Qing, who got the ball, dribbled forward with the outside of his left foot, and his feet kept coordinating with the change of the center of gravity of his body to make continuous feints. Mendy had no choice but to fight and retreat.

At this moment, Li Qing forced him to make a choice. Li Qing suddenly poked the ball forward with the tip of his left foot. Mendy immediately felt a chill in his crotch. It was too late for him to close his legs subconsciously. The ball rushed over first. Mendy had a good defensive awareness. The ball passed and the man was left behind.

He regretted it as soon as he finished the foul because... he already had a yellow card on his back, and the most important thing was that Michael Oliver had given him a verbal warning before...

"Damn it!"

Manchester City coach Guardiola suddenly realized something and looked at the referee Michael Oliver uneasily.

Michael Oliver ran towards Mendy with a serious expression. Mendy did not say that Li Qing was diving at the first time, but put his palms together and pleaded with the referee Michael Oliver, hoping that he would not give another yellow card.

Liverpool players obviously don't want to see this happen. They all spread their arms and put pressure on Michael Oliver. Manchester City captain David Silva was about to say something when he saw Michael Oliver take out a yellow card from his trouser pocket...

"Yellow card!"

He Wei, the commentator of Tianchao Channel 5, said loudly: "Mendy got his second yellow card in this game!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Michael Oliver took out another red card. He Wei's voice suddenly rose eight degrees: "Two yellows turned into one red, Mendy was sent off!"

"This is a big trouble. Manchester City was already behind in the score. Now they are one man less and are challenging the league leader away. The possibility of getting out of this unscathed has dropped to the lowest point in history at this moment."

Commentary guest Xu Yang said in a deep voice.

"aoaooaoaooaooooooooo——"

The Liverpool fans above Anfield burst into a huge and violent shout like a tsunami, cheering for the referee Michael Oliver's penalty.

Manchester City coach Guardiola was very dissatisfied with Michael Oliver's penalty, but he was helpless. With rich coaching experience, he knew that the referee's penalty was impossible to be changed, especially for a young Premier League first referee like Michael Oliver, who was very arrogant.

Jesus glanced at the head coach Guardiola, and after a fierce struggle, he finally decided to ask the angry Guardiola: "Boss, am I still playing?"

"Play, of course!"

Guardiola made a prompt decision: "You go replace David Silva, partner with Kun, change the formation to 342, let Kevin increase the running distance, make up for the lack of central defense..."

Jesus replaced David Silva, and the commentator of Tianchao 5 Channel He Wei shouted: "Guardiola is going to fight!"

"If you don't fight, there will be no time."

...

Liverpool coach Klopp looked at Guardiola meaningfully, his mouth slightly raised, and said calmly in a voice that only he could hear: "Since you want to fight, then... I'll play a game!"

Two minutes later, Liverpool made adjustments. He replaced Henderson with Naby Keita to strengthen the central offensive and fight against Manchester City, which was one man short!

Henderson, who was replaced, handed the captain's armband to Li Qing, and then walked out of the stadium slowly. BBC commentator Lineker shouted: "It is natural for Josep Guardiola to strengthen the offense after falling behind in the score. Jurgen Klopp replaced Jordan Henderson with Naby Keita, who has stronger offensive ability. It has to be said that he has become very crazy now, or... not giving Manchester City any chance!"

Manchester City only suppressed Liverpool for a few minutes with the technical advantages of its players. As time went on, Liverpool's advantage of playing one more person became more and more obvious, and the number of shots that threatened Manchester City's defense increased.

In the 76th minute, Li Qing passed the ball to Naby Keita, Wijnaldum, Salah and Firmino in a row, and broke into the front of the penalty area from the middle about 40 meters away from the goal. Stones' heart was in his throat.

Li Qing's left shoulder sank, and Stones subconsciously jumped to the right side of his body. After all, Li Qing's dominant foot was his left foot, and he was worried that Li Qing would shoot after winning the shooting space.

Little did he know that Li Qing was waiting for this moment. He buckled the ball to the right front of his body with the inside of his left foot. Stones stopped and defended in time. Li Qing supported himself with his left foot and raised his right foot.

The ball rolled quickly to the lower right corner of the goal along the ground. Goalkeeper Ederson obviously did not expect Li Qing to shoot with his right foot. He reacted half a beat slower and it was too late to make a save...