"Leo Lin has certainly been under the spotlight lately. A €45 million valuation is both recognition of his ability and a magnet for skepticism."
The match began at a measured tempo, with both sides feeling each other out. Jon Champion took the opportunity to chat with the audience.
"To be honest, Transfermarkt assigning Leo Lin such a high valuation did come as a bit of a surprise."
"But when you factor in his age, and the reality of today's money-driven football landscape, perhaps the doubts aren't entirely fair."
As the discussion continued, the tempo on the pitch suddenly jumped.
19th minute!
"Liverpool's fullbacks surge forward at the same time—Arnold and Robertson both pushing up!"
"Henderson on the ball in the middle, feeds Emre Can, and Leo Lin is making a decoy run!"
"Out wide first—Arnold takes it, slides a sharp low pass inside to Leo Lin!"
"One touch, a quick drag, then the release!"
"A through ball down the flank—Leo Lin stays calm, and Robertson bursts forward to collect!"
"Liverpool move the ball beautifully here, real pace to the attack—they're deliberately cranking up the speed!"
"Shakhtar drop everyone back. Robertson goes one-on-one with Butko, making a penetrating run."
"Mané reaches the byline and whips it in—Kryvtsov clears it with a header!"
"The loose ball at the edge of the box falls to Leo Lin—he cuts inside and curls one!"
As Leo Lin struck the ball, Fred arrived just in time, charging across to apply pressure. The shot skimmed over the crossbar and into the stands, inches away from a goal.
"That was excellent defensive work from Fred," Champion noted. "Very solid positioning as a holding midfielder. No wonder both Manchester clubs are keeping an eye on him."
Liverpool had clearly sounded the charge. The pace kept increasing, their intent obvious—they wanted to strike first at Anfield.
27th minute!
Leo Lin had been observing closely. Fred and Stepanenko worked extremely well together, but the attacking midfielder Taison rarely tracked back, prioritizing Shakhtar Donetsk's transitions.
That meant Leo Lin was constantly dealing with two deep-lying midfielders. But if Emre Can could combine with him around the edge of the box, and with Firmino dropping deeper to link play, they could create a three-on-two advantage and open things up quickly.
After finishing his read of the situation, Leo Lin immediately found Firmino and Emre Can. A brief, quiet exchange—and the three were on the same page.
30th minute!
Shakhtar's cross came to nothing and was comfortably claimed by Mignolet.
The goalkeeper immediately launched a powerful overarm throw to start a counterattack, picking out Leo Lin in midfield with precision.
Before the ball even arrived, Leo Lin glanced over his shoulder. As expected—only Fred and Stepanenko were behind him.
Firmino dropped out of the box to the top of the area, ready to act as the pivot. Emre Can surged forward. Leo Lin cushioned the ball with his chest and, without letting it hit the ground, lifted a delicate volleyed pass.
The elegant arc sailed over Fred and dropped perfectly into Emre Can's path.
One-on-one with Stepanenko, Emre Can dipped his shoulder, calmly rolled through a step-over, then shifted right to burst past him.
Shakhtar still hadn't sensed the danger—until Fred suddenly realized that Leo Lin, who had been behind him moments earlier, had exploded forward with a long, powerful off-the-ball run, slicing straight through the midfield line.
Emre Can played the pass—but not to Leo Lin.
Instead, it went to Firmino.
Firmino ran onto it and, without breaking stride, let the ball slip through his legs.
That clever pass-and-dummy tore Shakhtar's defense apart.
Leo Lin, who had never stopped his run, twisted onto the ball and burst into the box, suddenly clean through on goal.
One-on-one with the keeper, Leo Lin took a few quick, light steps.
His arm shot up, selling his trademark shooting motion—utterly convincing.
The goalkeeper reacted instinctively, committing to the save.
In the next instant, the shooting motion turned into a drag.
A fake shot—real touch.
The keeper's balance was gone.
Leo Lin then lifted a gentle chip with his next strike.
The ball floated over the line.
Perfect.
"GOAL!" Gerrard leapt to his feet.
"LIN!"
"Absolutely magnificent! Extraordinary team play from Liverpool!"
"That fake shot fooled even me!"
"This is individual tactical intelligence at its very highest level!"
"That kind of decision-making comes from football IQ, not instructions from the coach—and Lin has shown exactly how strong his is!"
"Liverpool lead 1–0!"
After scoring, Leo Lin sprinted toward the touchline and dropped into a passionate knee slide, arms slowly spreading wide.
Liverpool players rushed over. Firmino wrapped an arm around Leo Lin and roared straight into the camera.
"What else do you have to say now?!"
"Shut your mouths!"
"Keep them shut!"
Firmino had seen all the doubts aimed at his close friend, and he knew better than anyone just how special Leo Lin truly was.
Liverpool fans erupted. Anfield echoed with chants of his name.
"Lin!"
"Lin!"
"Lin!"
...
Moments later, play resumed.
Leo Lin felt stronger with every run, lighter with every stride. His fighting spirit burned fiercely, his entire body buzzing with energy.
39th minute!
"Fred carries the ball forward—Shakhtar trying to launch a counter!"
"Leo Lin closes him down! Fred needs to release it quickly!"
Fred should have passed earlier, but facing Leo Lin, he seemed eager to prove himself. He tried a step-over, attempting to deceive Leo Lin and break through.
But Leo Lin didn't bite. Reading it perfectly, he stepped across and smashed into the challenge, winning the ball cleanly.
"He's lost it! Leo Lin with a superb front-on interception!"
"Fred reaches out, tries to pull him back—it's almost a foul—but Leo Lin slips away!"
"Liverpool break again—another chance!"
Every Liverpool fan in the stadium rose to their feet. Leo Lin surged forward at pace, dragging the entire Liverpool shape with him.
Firmino timed his run to perfection, beating the offside line. Leo Lin slid a precise through ball into the channel.
"Great pass!"
"Firmino turns onto it!"
"The angle's tight—no easy shot here!"
Firmino considered forcing it, but the angle was too narrow.
A split-second hesitation—then a familiar voice from behind.
"Lay it back!"
It was Leo Lin, arriving late. Once again, his off-the-ball movement had shaken Fred off. In those explosive first steps, he was always quicker.
In an instant, Firmino pulled the ball back and flicked it neatly with his heel.
Brazilian flair in full flow.
The weight of the pass was perfect, leaving Leo Lin space to strike.
Kryvtsov launched himself into a desperate sliding block, trying to shut down the angle.
But the Howitzer skill was blazing.
Leo Lin swung his left leg.
His thigh snapped forward, his body following through as all the power focused onto his instep.
Contact.
"BOOM!"
A thunderous crack.
"SWISH!"
Goal!
As the ball hit the net, Leo Lin turned calmly toward the cameras, lifting his right hand to his ear.
Confidence. Authority.
"Hahahaha!" Jon Champion laughed.
"Two goals in one half!"
"What can they possibly say now?"
"Leo Lin is telling everyone—let the doubts get louder!"
"He won't be broken."
"Never!"
...
(60 Chapters Ahead)
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