Chapter 840: Double Reds Meet for Three Consecutive Games

On the fourth weekend of 2021, the English stadium ushered in the fourth round of the FA Cup. The third Red Double in twelve days also kicked off at the Millennium Stadium on the afternoon of the 24th.

This is the 18th time in the history of the Red Double in the FA Cup, and it is also Bruno's first time to participate in the Red Double in the FA Cup.

Since Bruno joined Manchester United in the summer of 2016, this is Bruno's 13th time to participate in the Red Double, but the previous 12 times were all other events.

As the most successful club in the history of the FA Cup, Manchester United has a brilliant record in the FA Cup since entering 2015. It has reached the finals for five consecutive years and won four consecutive FA Cups. Only last season, it regrettably lost to Arsenal in a penalty shootout and missed the first five consecutive championships in the history of the FA Cup.

This season, Manchester United's performance is still relatively stable. It has already gained a 13-point advantage in the standings. It seems unstoppable to win the Premier League for five consecutive times. In other stadiums, Manchester United's performance is also outstanding.

In contrast, after Liverpool achieved high scores in the first two seasons but ultimately missed the first Premier League title in team history, their performance in the league this season has experienced some ups and downs. They are currently ranked fourth in the standings, 16 points behind Manchester United, and have basically withdrawn from the competition for the league title in advance.

Under such circumstances, they naturally hope to gain something in other fronts, such as eliminating Manchester United in the FA Cup, advancing to the next round, or even reaching the final to win the championship.

In this game, Liverpool sent Salah and Firmino to start the game, and Mane was on the bench. As for Manchester United, Mourinho also rotated several positions, but Bruno still played with the captain's armband.

………………

The game started for 25 minutes, and the score on the field was 0:0.

Although the score was still a tie, the two sides played back and forth, and the pace of the game was very fast. Only 25 minutes had passed, and the combined number of shots of Manchester United and Liverpool had reached 15, of which Manchester United had 8 shots and Liverpool had 7 shots. From the data, it can be seen that both sides showed a strong desire to attack.

Mourinho has given the team an order to win. Such a tough battle must be won with all efforts, and Klopp on the Liverpool side is also unwilling to be outdone.

"The game has been played for 25 minutes. In terms of the number of fouls, Manchester United has 11 and received a yellow card, and Liverpool has committed 9 fouls and received a yellow card." Commentator Martin Taylor said, "Although the score is 0:0, we can see the intensity of this game from the data."

Both sides hoarded troops in the midfield and wanted to compete for midfield control. On the court, people and horses fell from time to time, especially on the Manchester United side. Mourinho seriously "warned" the young player Bellingham before the game. In today's game, Bellingham must also do his best to help Kante defend.

So the audience saw that Bellingham, who had previously given people the impression of being average in defense, and even because of his thin body and fear of fighting, was desperately involved in defense today. The 17-year-old young player even blocked a bullet hole in the top of the penalty area, which also won him warm applause from Manchester United fans in the stands.

………………

In such a fierce game, both sides fought with sparks, and it seemed that no one was sure to break the opponent's goal.

At this time, a flash of the player's football talent finally changed the course of the game.

Bruno suddenly dribbled the ball from the middle, and Liverpool's midfielder Thiago stepped forward to intercept.

Bruno pretended to break through from the middle, but suddenly passed the ball out, and it was Rashford who received the ball.

After Rashford got the ball, he knocked the ball back to Bellingham, and he turned around and ran forward. Bellingham shook his ankle and passed the ball out.

People thought Bellingham passed the ball to Rashford who was already running, but unexpectedly Bellingham passed it to Greenwood on the right.

Greenwood stretched out his foot beautifully to cushion the ball, then suddenly accelerated and beautifully avoided the Liverpool left back Robertson's grab. After he caught up with the ball, he did not cross the ball from the bottom, but suddenly cut inside and rushed into the penalty area under the double defense of Milner and Fabinho!

This change was beyond the expectations of Liverpool's defenders.

Liverpool's head coach Klopp shouted anxiously on the sidelines, directing the team's defense.

Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson was also shouting loudly, directing his teammates to chase and intercept Greenwood.

After Greenwood attracted three Liverpool defenders, he did not continue to break through, but suddenly stopped and made a move to pass the ball to Bruno, who also made a move to come over to respond.

This immediately attracted the attention of Liverpool's defenders, and Wijnaldum immediately moved his body to block the pass line.

………………

Almost with Wijnaldum's action, Greenwood, who originally had no shooting angle, immediately saw a small shooting route.

Greenwood, who was originally planning to pass the ball to Bruno, changed his mind instantly. He dribbled the ball back and then suddenly shot from the top of the penalty area!

In the penalty area filled with legs like a forest, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson was nervously paying attention to the situation in front of the penalty area, and then he saw a flash of white light.

Is this a long shot? !

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson reacted quickly. He tried his best to save the ball and succeeded in saving it. However, the shot was very powerful and hit the upper corner of the goal. Alisson barely lifted the ball but still failed to stop it from moving forward.

When Alisson fell in front of the goal, he looked up and saw that the ball had flown into the net behind him.

"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!"

Seeing the team lose the ball and fall behind in the score, Liverpool coach Klopp patted the chair in anger.

"Our players are attracted by Bruno." The assistant coach said beside him.

Klopp nodded. Bruno is Manchester United's top star and absolute offensive core. His threat is unquestionable. You can't just ignore the movement of such a threatening player. This gives Greenwood, the kid, space and opportunity to shoot.

However, Klopp had to admit that Greenwood's goal was very beautiful. He dribbled the ball from the side, cut inside, and shot in one go. The quality of the shot was also very high.

………………

Although the score was behind, Liverpool's players did not panic. After the game resumed, the loss of the ball stimulated the team to launch a more fierce attack on Manchester United's goal.

"Liverpool's attack was too fierce." Fabia said with some concern.

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Mourinho did not speak. He stared at the field. The opponent's performance after losing the ball really surprised him.

Liverpool's offensive efforts were rewarded in the 38th minute of the first half. In a quick counterattack by Liverpool, Firmino made a straight pass to find the gap on the right side of Manchester United, and Salah scored with a single shot from the right side of the penalty area.

"GOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!"

"Salah! The Egyptian equalized the score for Liverpool! 1:1! Before the end of the first half, Liverpool's attack finally paid off!" shouted commentator Martin Taylor.

"Tuanzebe is still too young, he lacks experience, and was blocked by Salah first." Martin Taylor shook his head. The central defender was blocked behind the opponent's forward, and the result was obvious.

"For this goal, Manchester United's goalkeeper De Gea should also take greater responsibility. There is obviously a problem with his defensive position." Andy Gray interrupted.

Mourinho was furious on the sidelines. He shouted loudly to the field. Mourinho was not unprepared for the loss of the ball, but he was a little unhappy because he lost the ball because of his own mistakes and confusion.

And the loss of the ball at this time point was really a bit of a blow to morale.

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“Cunning guy.” Mourinho glanced at the visiting team’s coaching bench.

During the loss of the ball, Liverpool’s other striker Curtis Jones firmly entangled Lindelof, and Salah got a chance under the defense of the inexperienced Tuanzebe.

Obviously, Liverpool coach Klopp also deployed Manchester United’s defense in a targeted manner, using an offensive player to contain Lindelof, and the other offensive players sought opportunities from Tuanzebe’s defense area.

Tuanzebe is indeed talented, but as a defender, growth takes time and cost. Every outstanding defender and goalkeeper who wants to grow into a top star has accumulated many mistakes and mistakes.

In addition, goalkeeper De Gea also made obvious mistakes in this defense. There was a problem with his position, so he failed to make an effective save.

Mourinho walked to the sidelines, he shouted the name of the team captain Bruno, and saw Bruno looking over, Mourinho made a downward gesture: defense!

Liverpool's morale was boosted after they equalized the score. They took the initiative on the field in the last stage of the first half. Fortunately, Mourinho responded quickly and issued instructions long ago. Manchester United retreated across the board and withstood Liverpool's offensive in the final stage.

In the end, at the end of the first half, Manchester United and Liverpool temporarily tied 1:1.

Liverpool's head coach Klopp was a little depressed. His team's morale was up. He had a hunch that if the team was given a little more time, they would probably knock on Manchester United's goal again. The halftime break was really not at the right time.

Mourinho was glad that the team was relatively passive at the last moment, and the halftime break came at the right time, which gave his team a chance to breathe.