Episode [194]: Loya, Welcome to Anfield!
Benitez stood in front of Zhong Cheng with a smile on his face, and stretched out his right hand.
Zhong Cheng smiled slightly, stretched out his right hand, and held Benitez's extended right hand tightly.
Benitez said enthusiastically: "Welcome to Anfield, Mr. Loya!"
Zhong Cheng chuckled and said, "Hehe, what Mr. Benitez said is a bit insincere. Are you not afraid that I will come to Anfield and take away the victory?"
The corner of Benitez's mouth rose slightly, and he said lightly: "You can take away the victory, but our Liverpool team must be promoted!"
The smile on Zhong Cheng's face was still there, as expected, Benitez was still the same Benitez!
The smile on Zhong Cheng's face suddenly disappeared, and he said flatly: "This is not sure. Today we are here for the promotion qualification!"
Benitez had a smile on his face, and continued: "Don't worry, such a thing will not happen today. We Liverpool will not give you a chance!"
Zhong Cheng frowned, and said in surprise, "Really?"
Benitez still smiled and said, "Of course!"
Zhong Cheng suddenly reached out and patted Benitez on the shoulder, and said lightly: "Don't be too superstitious about yourself, sometimes you should be more down-to-earth, Mr. Benitez!"
Benitez smiled and said: "Mr. Loya doesn't need to worry about these things. What you should worry about now is how to explain to the Leeds United fans after the game!"
Zhong Cheng waved his hand and said: "There is no need to worry about these, because they don't exist. Today, our Leeds United will definitely beat your Liverpool team."
Benitez turned his head and stared at Zhong Cheng warmly, and said, "Really? Then let's see the real chapter under our hands!"
After finishing speaking, Benitez waved slightly to Zhong Cheng, then turned around and walked to the home team's coaching bench.
Looking at Benitez's back, Zhong Cheng's face suddenly became solemn.
Zhong Cheng could see that this guy Benitez attached great importance to this game. And from his gestures, he could see that the Liverpool people did not take it lightly, they were all very dedicated. It seemed that they were the team that was behind.
Zhong Cheng took a deep breath, this match will be very difficult.
Rogers immediately walked up to Zhong Cheng, and immediately asked, "Boss, what did he say?"
Zhong Cheng looked at Benitez's back firmly, and said for a while, "This game will be very difficult, and Benitez is really difficult to deal with. Everyone has already said that you can take away the victory. But the promotion qualification can only belong to them!"
Rogers raised his eyebrows slightly, so he wouldn't think it was Benitez's act of showing weakness. On the contrary, it was Benitez's tough move. He has made it very clear that in this game, Liverpool will fight Leeds United to the end.
Rogers frowned and said, "This game will be even more difficult."
Zhong Cheng said with a faint smile: "We are ready to face all difficulties, but are we still afraid of this? Just wait, this match should be a very tragic match."
Rogers sighed, and there was some worry on his solemn face.
━━━Separation line━━━
"Okay, audience friends, welcome to the BBC. I am the familiar Mark Lawrenson, and today I will explain this game for you!" Mark Lawrenson said immediately.
"Hi everyone, we are the Eddie Gray you are familiar with, and today I am Mark's partner!" Eddie Gray also sat next to Mark Laurenson, and the two partnered again.
"Today we are bringing you the second round of the quarter-finals of this season's UEFA Champions League. The two sides are Liverpool and Leeds United. In the first round, there was a big difference between the two sides. Leeds United lost 0-3 at home to Liverpool. Now it is the second round. Leeds United is in a very difficult situation!" Mark Lawrenson immediately said loudly.
Eddie Gray also said: "This game is indeed very unfavorable for Leeds United. But Leeds United will definitely not give up this game. The damn media reporters before the game are completely irresponsible. I believe that the lunatic Loya will not give up this game. If he gives up, is he still a lunatic?"
The fans in front of the TV nodded one after another, Eddie Gray was right.
If he gives up, is he still crazy?
Obviously not, Crazy Loya has been doing some extremely crazy things all his life, will he give up this game now? Obviously not!
Mark Lawrenson immediately asked: "Excuse me, Eddie, who do you prefer in this match?"
Eddie Gray said: "Of course I stand on the side of Leeds United unconditionally. However, I also know that this game is really too difficult for Leeds United. It is really very, very difficult for them to win!"
Mark Lawrenson also said: "Yes, Leeds United's chances in this game are not great. Well, having said so much, now the players from both sides have come out of the player tunnel, now let's introduce to you today's starting list of both sides."
Today, the starting rosters of the two teams are as follows:
Home Team: Liverpool, Coach: Benitez, Formation: 4-4-2
Goalkeeper: Reina
Back four [left to right]: John Reaser, Samir Hyypia, Daniel Carragher and Steve Finnan
The midfield four [from left to right]: Luis Garcia, Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Dirk Dirk
Forwards: Peter Crouch and Craig Bellamy
This is the starting list of the Liverpool team today. This lineup can be regarded as a very complete main starting list for the Liverpool team. Of course, there are some changes in it, and the formation has also changed. Benitez still prefers 4-2-3-1, but today his formation is 4-4-2. It can be seen that this is a formation with a balanced offense and defense.
It can be seen from here that Benitez's thoughts. He definitely doesn't want to blindly defend in this game. He still hopes to put some pressure on Leeds United so that Leeds United cannot attack so confidently and boldly.
Of course, in this game, Benitez did not replace Mohamed Sissoko, who was more defensive, but used the midfield combination of Harvey Alonso and Steven Gerrard, which is a combination that is more inclined to attack.
It can be seen that Benitez still has a lot of ideas about this game.
Visiting team: Leeds United, head coach: Zhong Cheng, formation: 4-1-3-2
Goalkeeper: Zhong Zheng
Back four [left to right]: Patrick Evra, Gerard Pique, Kompany and Sagna
Single midfielder: Mascherano
Three forwards [left to right]: Franck Ribery, Joan Gourcuff and Joaquin
Forwards: Luca Toni and Edinson Cavani
This is the starting lineup of Leeds United today. Obviously, this starting lineup is very different from what the media reporters guessed before. The media reporters all think that Leeds United gave up this game, and there will definitely be some substitute players.
However, in this game, Zhong Cheng lined up almost all the main players, but there were some changes in the front midfielder and striker. Luka Modric did not start on the front line today, but Gourcuff started. After Gourcuff returned from injury, he often came off the bench, but he really didn't start much.
The fans and media reporters at the scene were a little confused. Why did Zhong Cheng let Gourcuff play? If he got this guy, did he really give up the game?
━━━Separation line━━━
The players on both sides are standing in the stadium, and the game is about to start.
Luca Toni and Edinson Cavani stood in the middle circle, and Leeds United got the right to kick off the game.
At this moment, the referee blew the kick-off whistle - beep!
In the middle circle, Luca Toni lightly tapped the football, then turned around and rushed forward quickly. Edinson Cavani quickly passed the ball back to the midfield, and then he ran out himself.
Leeds United's away game against Liverpool has officially started.
The football came to Gourcuff's feet, and in front of him, Bellamy rushed up desperately. Gourcuff naturally did not hesitate, and quickly passed the football back, and the football quickly rolled to the feet of Mascherano in the middle.
Gourcuff blocked Bellamy with his body, giving Mascherano enough time.
Mascherano observed for a while, and then directly with a big foot, he quickly drove the football towards Liverpool's half.
Luca Toni saw the ball and jumped up high, and Harvey Alonso next to him also jumped up, but the difference was too big.
With a bang, Luca Toni looked back at the moon and threw the football to Edinson Cavani who followed him. After Luca Toni landed, he rushed towards Liverpool's penalty area, creating murderous intent.
The fans of the Liverpool team at the scene were all taken aback. They didn't expect that the game had just started, and Leeds United would give them a blow.
After Edinson Cavani received the ball, Liverpool's wide player Luis Garcia rushed over quickly, and a fierce sliding tackle shoveled towards the football at Edinson Cavani's feet.
Edinson Cavani was shocked, immediately picked the ball, jumped up, dodged Luis Garcia's sliding tackle, and just as soon as it landed, he quickly sent the football to the right, and rolled directly into the big space on the right.
The football quickly rolled to the feet of Joaquin who was going forward, and Liverpool's full-back Riise rushed out in a panic. But just after Joaquin received the ball, he immediately kicked up a cross at a 45-degree angle, and immediately passed the football into Liverpool's penalty area with an arc, and quickly flew to the middle of Liverpool's penalty area.
"Wow! A beautiful attack. Just after the start of the game, Leeds United launched a long-planned attack. Leeds United wanted to start the game. The ball cooperated very well, both long and short, and it was very beautiful. Wow, Joaquin crossed at a 45-degree angle, and the football flew into Liverpool's penalty area. Dangerous!" Mark Lawrence immediately exclaimed loudly, his voice very loud.
"Oh, Luis Garcia was a little reckless with this goal. It seems that this guy is a little excited today. This time he was too excited and did something bad. Beautiful, beautiful cross, Joaquin's ball is too perfect, Liverpool's penalty area, opportunity!!" Eddie Gray also roared loudly.
In the Liverpool penalty area, Luca Toni rushed forward quickly, throwing Carragher and Hyypia off by half, spotted the ball, and slammed it hard at the football—a header!