"This match should be a sure win, right?"
"If it's not, we're in big trouble. Man City won again. Liverpool can't accept a loss or a draw in this match."
"Wolves' midfield is just average, but Liverpool has too many injuries in their midfield."
"..."
Before the match had even begun, the fans in the live stream chat were already discussing it.
Compared to the Blue Lock channel, a proper Premier League match had ten times the number of viewers.
After all, the Premier League could earn 1.675 billion pounds in broadcast rights fees alone each year, and the global figure could reach 5 billion US dollars.
Therefore, the teams in the English Championship would fight tooth and nail to break into the Premier League.
Because every year, the teams that stay in the Premier League can receive at least 100 million Euros just from the broadcast rights share.
The high broadcast share has created the intense competitive environment of the Premier League.
It's nothing like the "Northern Kings" Hamburg, who would dominate the first half of the season year after year, only to start throwing games at the end of the season, shamelessly content to stay in the 2. Bundesliga.
(Although, before Tendou crossed over, he heard that Hamburg had been "helped" into the Bundesliga by the other 2. Bundesliga teams. When the Northern Kings Hamburg started their usual late-season throwing, all the top teams in the 2. Bundesliga lost along with them, respectfully sending their ancestors up to the top flight, not even giving Hamburg a chance to play in the promotion playoffs.)
Getting sidetracked.
The match began.
Tendou had entered the stadium with the team beforehand. Although he was in the squad list today, it was as a substitute.
"For Liverpool, Klopp has deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation."
"Goalkeeper: Alisson!"
"Defenders: Robertson, Van Dijk, Lovren, Milner."
"Holding Midfielders: Henderson, Alexander-Arnold."
"Attacking Midfielders: Firmino, Mané, Wijnaldum."
"Forward: Salah."
It was clear that Liverpool's midfield was truly decimated by injuries.
The new signing, Fabinho, needed a month to rest, and Keïta, who was bought last year, was out for two weeks.
Out of necessity, both Firmino and Mané had to drop back into deeper positions.
The starting lineups from both sides walked out of the tunnel. With the referee's whistle, the match officially began.
Tendou sat on the bench, not worried about not getting a chance to play.
Liverpool had spent so much money to sign him; they certainly wouldn't just leave him on the bench to watch the game.
"Wolves kick off!"
"A tactical play!"
"A back pass to Bennett, who sends a long ball straight over the top!"
"Danger!"
At the start of the match, Wolves did not choose to attack. Instead, under Liverpool's press, they passed the ball back to their own half to maintain possession.
Seeing this, Liverpool decisively went up to press.
They were determined to win this match.
The consequences of losing need no further explanation. Even a draw would widen the points gap with Manchester City to 2.
This season, Liverpool had one and only one goal: to win the title.
Not just the league title; the Champions League title was also Liverpool's goal.
Otherwise, how could they justify their 150 million pound investment in the summer?
And they really had a good chance of winning the title this season.
But then.
It was this very mentality that allowed Wolves to find an opportunity.
When the Liverpool players pushed forward to press, it was inevitable that gaps would appear in their defensive line.
And Bennett, he found this gap and sent a long ball over the top of the overly eager Liverpool defense.
Traoré received the ball and faced Alexander-Arnold's defense, breaking through along the wing.
Arnold was Liverpool's "Crown Prince," that was true, but he also had the nickname "Highway 66."
This was not a compliment.
The young Arnold's defensive ability was quite poor, and he wasn't very willing to defend, having put all his skill points into attacking.
Traoré blew past the Liverpool Crown Prince with a burst of speed, as if he were running on a highway.
The Dutch international, Van Dijk, had no choice but to move over and cover.
Traoré, naturally, did not dare to challenge the world's number one defender and decisively chose to cross the ball.
"Arnold has been beaten!"
"Too easily! He's still the Highway 66 we know!"
"Traoré, facing Van Dijk, decisively makes the cross!"
"A cross!"
"To the back post! Moutinho with the header!"
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!"
"GOAL! In the 1st minute and 23rd second of the match, Wolves have opened the scoring!"
"A dream start! A perfect goal!"
The Wolves commentator was ecstatic.
The more than 30,000 Wolves fans nearly blew the roof off the stadium.
If they could upset the mighty Liverpool at home today, it would undoubtedly be a huge shot in the arm for their push into the European qualification spots.
And the Liverpool fans.
Like the players, most of them were in a daze.
Scoring in just over a minute was undoubtedly a dream start, but unfortunately, it was for the other side...
In the Premier League this season, they had only conceded 6 goals in total. And in this match, they had conceded in just over a minute?
This gave the Liverpool fans, including the players, a bad feeling.
Moutinho, who had scored the goal, excitedly ran to the technical area to celebrate with his head coach.
The Wolves manager had worked hard to motivate his team before this match.
Wolves were currently seventh in the league, with almost no pressure of relegation. But having come this far, how could they not want to go one step further?
You have to know, if they finish sixth, they can play in Europe next year!
Although it wasn't the Champions League, for a club of Wolves' level, it was more than enough.
Klopp stood on the sidelines, pressing his hands down, signaling his players to calm down and maintain their own rhythm.
But behind him, Krawietz could see the worry in Klopp's eyes.
Liverpool's task was heavy this year, and the burden on Klopp's shoulders was also heavy.
The club had brought in the players he wanted, spending a massive 150 million pounds in the summer and even signing the prodigy Tendou mid-season.
If he didn't win a trophy, he wouldn't be able to answer to the club and the fans.
The Champions League, that tournament is full of uncertainty. The youth army of Dortmund he had once led had almost overthrown the Bundesliga giants, Bayern.
Compared to the Champions League, the league title was undoubtedly less difficult to win.
Klopp squatted down on the sidelines and began to think.
The match continued.
Having conceded a goal, Liverpool's formation continued to press forward and attack fiercely, but Wolves' defense was very well organized.
The two wing-backs immediately dropped back after the team took the lead, actively participating in the defense.
At this time, including the goalkeeper, there were a full 9 players in front of the Wolves' goal.
"Wolves have adopted a multi-man defensive strategy. This is a tactic often used by weaker teams against stronger opponents."
"They're not engaging in one-on-ones, so that the opponent's star players can't break through with their individual ability."
19th minute of the match.
"A long pass, trying to find Salah!"
"Bringing the ball forward, Henderson is trying hard to advance, but he's facing a lot of resistance."
"Neves is in a good defensive position. A pass to the left, to Wijnaldum."
"He gets past him! But Bennett covers very quickly and clears the ball. The Wolves' formation is very layered."
...
Get 20+ chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"