green showman

Chapter 972
From the first second of the game, the singing in the KOP stands never stopped, and the Liverpool players on the field never let up in their strict defense against Sun Wu.

In fact, Sun Wu chose the 343 formation. The biggest advantage lies in the midfield. It looks like there are four midfielders, but Lucas and Coleman on the two wings can widen the width. Griezmann and Bernardo Schill Wa will retreat from the rib position to support the midfielder, and even the left and right central defenders will press forward in due course.

There are only three players in Liverpool's midfield, Nzonzi, Henderson's double midfielder, and Coutinho, who plays the midfielder in name but actually stands to the left.

But in fact, Coutinho was completely a central midfielder in the first half, and Gotze and Depay on the two wings also retreated deeply, which directly led to Manchester United not having an advantage in the midfield.

In the 32nd minute, Liverpool played the most threatening offensive in the first half. Coutinho cleverly got rid of Sun Wu, and after Kante rushed forward, the Brazilian sent a cross.

Firmino, who received the ball, resisted Phil Jones who was jumping up, and then sent a penetrating oblique ball with his right foot. Gotze took the ball from the wing and made a cross immediately.

"Gotze... cross!"

"Peripheral... Depay... oh, Coutinho shoots from long distance!"

"Crossbar, Anfield's crossbar rejects Coutinho!"

A huge sigh sounded over the court, Coutinho covered his face with his hands but then put them down, and gave Gotze and Depay a thumbs up.

Sun Wu, who stopped halfway back to the defense, watched the ball hit the crossbar and flew out of the baseline panting. He reacted immediately, and Klopp grabbed the weakest link in Manchester United's lineup.

The advantage of Manchester United's 343 formation lies in the midfield and the number advantage. In the offense, it emphasizes the wings and ribs, but the center is a loophole.

On the one hand, this loophole lies in the offense. Because of the lack of a central player, Sun Wu had to assume the position, and even rushed into the penalty area to grab points to share the pressure on the center.

On the other hand, because of Sun Wu's positional premise, the single midfielder Kanter is under great pressure. Even if Kanter is currently recognized as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League, it will be difficult for him to block this gap.

This is why in the same 343 formation, Conte arranged for Matic and Schneiderlin's double midfielders, and abandoned Fabregas.

Mike Phelan turned his head and glanced at Klopp. This guy has a thorough study of Manchester United's 343 formation. Firmino retreated to attract Phil Jones, and Gotze's cross was deliberately sent outside the penalty area. .

Depay, who came in, and Coutinho, who was plugged in from the back row, both appeared outside the penalty area. The former chose to miss the ball under the pressure of Kanter, and the latter even had time to adjust twice before taking a shot. If it was not luck Well, United have conceded.

Want to change?

This question circled in the minds of Sun Wu and Mike Phelan.

Will they change?

This doubt also exists in Klopp's mind.

Sun Wu made a motionless tactical gesture to Mike Phelan, and then ran back by himself.

In the remaining 10 minutes of the first half, Sun Wu chose to retreat and form a double midfielder with Kanter. In this way, it is difficult for Liverpool to find another opportunity, but it is also difficult for Manchester United to organize an effective offensive.

In the end, the first half ended 0-0.

"It's a bit dull." Mortensen said with a smile: "Steve, if you're not on the court, the Double Red Club seems to be missing something."

"No, no, no." Gerrard shook his head and said, "I think the wonderful things will happen in the second half, even until the last quarter of an hour."

"Manchester United's physical fitness is indeed a disadvantage." Mortensen reminded: "But you must know that Best gave up the League Cup, and none of them appeared on the field in that game..."

"It can't be counted like this." Gerrard smiled happily, "I flew to Japan to play the Club World Cup, such a long flight back and forth, and then there was the Christmas schedule immediately, and the schedule was intensive in January, which means more than a month. Inside, Manchester United hardly has any rest time, and the long-term intensive schedule will have a great impact on physical fitness, and it will be reflected in the last quarter of an hour."

Gerrard's analysis is very reasonable. Dr. Swell has already issued a warning to Sun Wu. The latter also observed in the coaching system that although they have been rotated, most of the players' physical reserves are close to the critical value.

How to deal with all this is the biggest challenge to Sun Wu's coaching work this season.

In the locker room, the players were resting or getting some fruit. Sun Wu, Mike Phelan, and Rolf were discussing tactics for the second half in the corner.

"The 19-game winning streak is an accessory, and it has no value except to look good." Sun Wu first came to this conclusion, "Klopp thinks we will do our best to win, but we can tolerate a draw."

"This is a draw, and we are 2 points behind Manchester City with the same number of rounds." Rolf nodded in agreement, "Acceptable."

"No change?" Mike Phelan understood Sun Wu's implication, "No change?"

"Well, I will retreat and let Griezmann go behind Falcao and connect the frontcourt to attack. He has this ability." Sun Wu nodded, "If there is no accident, let Harry Kane play before 70 minutes. "

Mike Phelan thought for a while without rebutting, and turned to explain to the players, while Rolf asked in a worried whisper: "Best, if Liverpool press high, Lucas and Coleman on the two wings will be pressed back, It is difficult to open the gap in the frontcourt attack."

Will Liverpool press high in the second half?
I am very sure of that!
But the key is when to make a high-position press... Sun Wu doesn't quite guess Klopp's thinking. It may start in the second half, or it may last until the 75th minute when Manchester United's players are exhausted.

After 10 minutes, returning to the court, Sun Wu felt that Klopp was too thieves.

When seeing that Sun Wu's position was still retreating sharply, Klopp yelled loudly on the sidelines, and Liverpool immediately pressed forward to press high.

In fact, this is the most dangerous moment for Liverpool. Both Sun Wu and Bernardo Silva have the ability to send deadly passes. Falcao and Griezmann have strong personal abilities, and they can pass and shoot each other. There is also a tacit understanding.

But Sun Wu was mentally prepared. Both Coleman and Lucas retreated to defend. Although Coutinho, Gotze and Henderson all got shot opportunities, they were not very threatening.

Then...Liverpool retreated, Klopp gave up the high press, and the front line retreated to the midfield and waited for Manchester United to press forward.

Klopp couldn't believe it anymore. In the face of a record 19-game winning streak in the league, can Sun Wu bear to give up?
In fact, although Sun Wu is not too obsessed with the 19-game winning streak, he really wants to win this game, because if he wins, he will be able to tie Manchester City in points.

But what happened in the next 10 minutes disrupted all Sun Wu's deployment during the intermission.

In the 54th minute, Liverpool's midfielder intercepted the ball and immediately started the game. Although Depay was surrounded by Coleman and Alderweireld, he got a corner kick.

Coutinho took a corner kick, and De Gea made a rare misjudgment. He failed to get the ball...

"De Gea error... Nzonzi... and... Gotze!"

"Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooal!"

"Mario Gotze's goal gives Liverpool a 1-0 home lead!"

Gerald jumped up, "Super Mario, well done!"

The former golden boy did not move to Bayern along the trajectory of the original time and space, but followed his idol Guardiola to Manchester City, but just like the original time and space, Gotze became mediocre under Guardiola.

But in the second season, Gotze returned to Klopp's hands. Although his performance could not be said to be top-notch, he is an indispensable role for Liverpool today.

Sun Wu scratched his chin and watched Gotze and Klopp celebrating ecstatically on the sidelines, wondering whether he should change his team next.

From a certain point of view, Klopp is more aggressive than Guardiola. In the case of a 1-0 lead, Klopp will often be polarized, continue to attack and expand the lead, or make a large recovery to prevent the defense .

Sun Woo decided to take a look first.

But Sun Wu hadn't figured out what was going on. Just 20 seconds after the re-kick-off, another accident occurred.

Sun Wu picked a pass to the frontcourt, Matip made a header to clear the siege, and Bernardo Silva and Nzonzi on the periphery took off at the same time...

"Di!"

A sharp whistle sounded.

Sun Wu, who was far away, couldn't see it very clearly, but the referee immediately signaled the team doctor to the Manchester United coaching bench.

"Wow, Silva's head...was cracked and bleeding." Zhan Jun grinned and said, "It must have been an elbow blow, right?"

"Looking at the replay... Nzongzi jumped very high, and hit Bernardo Silva's head with his right elbow." Zhang Lu sighed: "It happened that the house leaked in the rain all night, the ball was lost, and another player was injured. Sun Wu is in big trouble this time!"

(End of this chapter)