Super Coach

On January 17, after a week's rest, the Premier League resumed. Liverpool challenged Tottenham Hotspur away. As a result, Yang Cheng's team drew 1:1 with Tottenham Hotspur away from home.

There are two reasons for the draw. First, the midfield is chaotic and lacks tacit understanding with each other. Second, the impact of the lack of Hyypia is exposed. Neither Carragher nor Agger is the kind of central defender who can reassure people, at least for the time being. no.

But for Liverpool, the good news is that Manchester United unexpectedly lost to Wolves in an away game, which caused Arsenal to reverse the Red Devils and climb to the top. Liverpool also caught up and was only 1 point away from Manchester United. Chelsea was tied 0:0 at home by Birmingham. , there are signs of falling behind.

After 22 rounds, the Premier League was suspended, and the cup competition was mentioned as the focus of the schedule.

On January 20, in the semi-finals of the League Cup, Liverpool welcomed Aston Villa at home. Yang Cheng sent out all his main players to play and won the opponent 5:2 at home. As the main player in the cup, Ronaldinho played in this game The performance was good, but Robben and forward Drogba on the left were given a rest by Yang Cheng, and Kuyt, who returned from injury, was the starting forward.

By winning against Aston Villa with such results, Liverpool can almost say that they have one foot in the final.

In another game, Arsenal defeated Middlesbrough 1:0 at home. Wenger also played half the main team and half the substitute lineup in this game. The game was very difficult, and the Gunners' substitute lineup was always weak. Much criticized.

On January 24, in the FA Cup round of 32 knockout round, Liverpool challenged Northampton away. Liverpool, still playing with most of the substitutes, defeated Northampton cleanly 3:0 in the away game and successfully advanced to the top 16.

Yang Cheng didn't attach much importance to England's cup competition. He even felt that if he hadn't been in conflict with Steve Mianwei, he would have arranged for more youth team players to play in the cup competition so that they would have more opportunities. Getting used to the atmosphere of a professional game will be of great benefit to their growth.

The substitute lineup plays the leading role, while the main lineup is preparing for the second half of the league. Their focus is on the league and the UEFA Cup.

These two major battlefields are what Yang Cheng pays close attention to!

After he came to Europe, he won the Cup Winners' Cup, the Super Cup, the Champions League and the Club World Cup, but he never won the UEFA Cup. This made him a bit regretful. If he could win the UEFA Cup, then He is the European Grand Slam.

On January 28, in the League Cup semi-finals, Liverpool, who were sure of victory, arranged a starting lineup of substitutes. Except for the former main player Dudek as the goalkeeper, the other positions were all substitutes and young players. As a result, they lost at Villa Park. It was a 1:2, but in the end, with a total score of 6:4,

Successfully advanced to the finals.

Arsenal won Middlesbrough 2:1 away from home and met Liverpool in the final.

If everyone didn't pay attention to the cup before, then once they reach the crucial semi-finals, no one will ignore it. After all, being able to win a championship can at least prevent a loss this season, so Wenger is also interested in the League Cup. They are also determined to win, not to mention that the opponent is Liverpool, the rival for the championship.

Everyone at Liverpool has a very special feeling for the League Cup, they both love and hate it.

During Houllier's tenure at Liverpool, the Red Army won the League Cup in 2001 and 2003 respectively. In 2001, they also won the UEFA Cup, League Cup, FA Cup and the Community Shield in the new season. They are known as the Four The championship was lost to Inter Milan led by Yang Cheng in the European Super Cup.

But looking at the four major cup championships that Houllier is proud of, none of them are pursued by wealthy teams.

The UEFA Cup has long lived up to its influence, and the League Cup and FA Cup have even declined. The role of the Community Shield is more like a warm-up match, so the champions of these four major cups can only be regarded as a fig leaf for Liverpool's failure to win the league championship. .

So much so that many Liverpool fans shouted back then that they would rather exchange all their cup titles for a league championship trophy!

It is not difficult to see from this point that Liverpool is tirelessly and persistently pursued by the league champion.

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In Liverpool, when it comes to Sutton Bar, it’s impossible for anyone not to know it.

For this city that regards football as a belief, Sutton Bar seems to be the birthplace of their city's belief, because here, two of Liverpool's furniture Qi Sai Without Watermark and Qi Sai Without Watermark were born ” Department, Liverpool and Everton.

Regarding the distant history of more than a hundred years ago, it doesn’t matter who is who and what is wrong. What is important is that Everton never set foot in Sutton Bar. They found themselves at Goodson Park not far away. ’s home, and Sutton’s Bar became a favorite haunt across Liverpool.

Every day, after finishing their busy work, fans are used to going to the bar; whenever there is a home game, they will go to the bar to have a drink first, and then go to Anfield Stadium to cheer for their team. To cheer, according to them, if you don't drink, you won't have enough energy to shout.

But there will also be many fans who cannot go to Anfield Stadium to watch the game due to various reasons. They will choose to go to the surrounding bars, order a glass of beer, and watch the live TV broadcast with like-minded P's around them. Cheer, cheer together.

When Liverpool scores a goal, they raise their glasses high and shout loudly.

Fuck Everton, long live Gerrard!

Then a group of people started laughing and drinking beer, and then there was the sound of empty glasses hitting the bar, one after another shouting for another drink.

The bartender behind the bar will be busy in front of Carlsberg's light cabinet at this time, refilling a full glass of beer for every customer who requests.

But not everyone will be so excited. At least some people are watching TV and looking at the cheerful guy pointed at the live camera, and he has the urge to smash the wine glass in his hand.

Every day, after finishing their busy work, fans are used to going to the bar; whenever there is a home game, they will go to the bar to have a drink first, and then go to Anfield Stadium to cheer for their team. Come on, cheer, according to what they say, if you don’t drink, you won’t have enough energy to shout.

But there will also be many fans who cannot go to Anfield Stadium to watch the game due to various reasons. They will choose to go to the surrounding bars, order a glass of beer, and watch the live TV broadcast with like-minded people around them. Cheer together, cheer together.

When Liverpool scores a goal, they raise their glasses high and shout loudly.

Long live Everton without him!

Then a group of people started laughing and drinking beer, and then there was the sound of empty glasses hitting the bar, one after another shouting for another drink.

The bartender behind the bar will be busy in front of Carlsberg's light cabinet at this time, refilling a full glass of beer for every customer who wants it.

But not everyone will be so excited. At least some people are watching TV and looking at the cheerful guy pointed at the live camera, and he has the urge to take out the wine glass in his hand.

There's no watermark on the voyage! There's no such thing as a bomb! Steve Mianwei cursed angrily.

The person in charge of the bar is called Orrell, a bald middle-aged man who has been working here for many, many years and is very respected by Liverpool fans. After hearing what Steve Mianwei said, he smiled and stood opposite him. Sat down.

Don't say that, Steve, they will be unhappy! They were obviously the young fans in the bar who were chasing Yang Cheng.

Do I care if they are happy or not? Steve Mianwei turned his head and glanced at the group of Liverpool fans who were shouting Caesar's name excitedly, and felt a pain in his heart, They are all already They have forgotten their ancestry, and they have even forgotten the pride we had in the past and the humiliation we suffered!

Haiwei said through gritted teeth, obviously suppressing his anger in his heart at this moment.

Who is Caesar? He is just a kid who has risen in recent years. What qualifications does he have to ask us, Liverpool, to change the tradition and pride that we have upheld for so many years?

Aurel smiled bitterly and patted Steve Mianwei's hand, As a person, you have to take a long-term view. I am also learning to accept some brand-new things now.

After a pause, he pointed to the TV camera and continued: At least he has the possibility of bringing us the championship trophy, isn't he?

Having said this, Haiwei was speechless and right.

All Liverpudlians long for the title, and they all dream of it, because only the title, only honor, can help them wash away the humiliation they have suffered in the past and fill the injustice in their hearts.

But after so many years, they never got it and lived in torment forever.

Steve Mianwei raised the glass of beer in front of him and drank it all in one breath. Like all Liverpool fans, he knocked it heavily on the bar with beer foam still on his lips, I'm afraid of him. Another Souness!

After finishing speaking, he got down from his seat without saying anything, pulled up his clothes, and walked out of Sutton Bar.

Oriel looked at Steve Mianwei's back and sighed deeply.

Only people from Liverpool who have experienced those years can understand the persistence, perseverance and contradictions between him and Haiwei and other people of this generation. He believes that Rick Parry also understands why Haisheng is so persistent and stubborn, even at the risk of quarreling with Yang Cheng. turn.

Because he is afraid, very afraid!

He is afraid that one day, the tradition and pride of the old Liverpool will disappear; he is afraid that one day, Liverpool will become a football product that he cannot understand at all; he is afraid that one day, Liverpool will gain glory but lose it. own spirit and tradition.

Sometimes Orrell also laments that he has met all kinds of Liverpool fans in Sutton Bar. The older generation are better, but for the new generation of fans, they have forgotten what Liverpool has experienced in the past. , they are just complaining about the club, the coach, and the players.

They become victory-oriented. They love Liverpool just because they live in this city and live in an atmosphere that loves Liverpool. But if you ask them, why do they love Liverpool? What do you love about Liverpool?

They were speechless!

Steve Mianwei is right. He won the crown but lost his most precious thing. Is it worth it?

But today’s football is no longer what it used to be. With the establishment of the Premier League, more and more established clubs have declined, and more and more new giants have emerged. Today It is a money-based football. If Liverpool cannot adapt to this environment, sooner or later it will decline like Nottingham Forest and other down-and-out giants.

It’s difficult for David Morse. He is a very traditional Liverpool man at heart, but as the operator of the club, he is very aware of the current trend of the times. Cruel, so no matter what he did, he was in a dilemma.

There have long been rumors that many investment consortiums want to acquire Premier League teams, and Liverpool is the hottest among them.

Orrell even heard a rumor that if Yang Cheng fails to bring about a turnaround for Liverpool, David Morse will consider selling his shares because he has had enough. He has suffered for Liverpool for so many years. , he can no longer support it.

If it is really acquired, how much of the Liverpool people's things will be left?

Judging from the current situation, Yang Cheng may lead Liverpool to success, but with his series of reforms, how much of Liverpool's tradition will be left?

When all the fans are immersed in the joy of winning the championship, who will remember their past?

People are always forgetful animals!

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In the 23rd round of the league, Liverpool played at home and sent out all their main players. They won their fourth enemy Everton 3:1. The yangcheng team continued to chase Manchester United and Arsenal in the standings, and the latter two teams also They all won one after another.

In the 24th round of the league, Liverpool defeated Bolton 2:1 away, Manchester United defeated Everton 4:3 away, and Arsenal defeated Wolves 3:1 away. The three teams continued to lead the standings, followed by Chelsea. thereafter.

In midweek, in the 25th round of the league, Liverpool defeated Manchester City 2:0 at home, and Manchester United was defeated by Middlesbrough 2:3 at home. With this game, the Reds reversed Manchester United and climbed to second place in the Premier League standings.

After this round of competition, when Yang Cheng was interviewed by the media, he said excitedly, I will not give Ferguson's team another chance, we will crush them under our feet, because I feel like my players are getting better and better lately and we have enough quality to do that.

I want to remind Arsenal, you better run faster, we are catching up!

The entire English football world felt the fighting spirit from Yang Cheng, while Wen Ge said that he would not pay attention to Liverpool's threat from behind, We only care about our opponents in the next round!

Ferguson said that his team would chase behind and wait for Liverpool and Arsenal to make mistakes.

The real test has just begun!

In the top 16 of the FA Cup over the weekend, Manchester United used all its main players to defeat Manchester City 4:2 and win the Manchester derby in the FA Cup, while Liverpool defeated Portsmouth 1:0 away from home. Naze defeated Chelsea 2:1 at home.

But a week later, Manchester United lost points again. In their home game against Leeds United, Scholes opened the scoring for Manchester United in the 6th-4th minute, but Alan Smith equalized for Elland Road 3 minutes later. The score was maintained until the end of the game.

Ferguson was furious after the game and denounced the team's poor performance, believing that the players were not focused enough.

But in fact, the most fundamental problem is that Manchester United has problems with their ball advancement. Without Beckham and mid-to-long passes, Manchester United began to rely too much on Giggs on the left. At the same time, the midfielder must pass through. Make up for the lack of depth in the passing game by running the ball more.

This situation is not obvious enough at the beginning of the season. Coupled with Ferguson's tactical planning and his familiarity and understanding of Premier League opponents, this can be filled in very well. However, as the schedule progresses, as the Premier League teams face Manchester United Familiarity, coupled with the increase in injuries and player fatigue, this problem began to be magnified.

Looking back at Liverpool, the midfielder of Carrick, Davis and Gerrard is getting better and better, and the cooperation between Robben and Drogba is getting better and better. Although Ronaldinho plays more as a substitute, But every appearance allows people to see his progress, which makes Liverpool's overall combat effectiveness not weakened after the winter break, but has been strengthened.

Defeating Portsmouth 3:0, Liverpool continued to put pressure on Arsenal in the standings. The opponents defeated Chelsea 2:1 away from home. Ranieri's team sadly became a strong team this season. The object of ravage.

In mid-week, Liverpool sat at home and ushered in the first leg of the UEFA Cup round of 32. The opponent was Sofia Levski of Bulgaria. With the goals of Kuyt and Murphy, Liverpool won 2:0 at home. opponent.

After this game, the Liverpool team went south to prepare for the League Cup final on February 29.

But at the same time, Arsenal played all their main players away from home in the European Champions League. They defeated La Liga powerhouse Celta Vigo with 3:2, winning a crucial away victory and entering the top 8 with one foot. .

It can be seen from the media reaction after the game that Liverpool played with a substitute lineup, but Arsenal played with the main lineup. All the media began to worry about Arsenal's trip to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

At the same time, according to the principle that northern teams enter the north dressing room and southern teams enter the south dressing room, Liverpool naturally enters the north dressing room, while Arsenal enters the south dressing room. room.

This has caused the entire British media to start to speculate, thinking that Arsenal is likely to continue to suffer from the curse of the Millennium Stadium's south locker room, because almost all games played in this stadium are in the north locker room. The team mainly wins, and the only two times South Korea did not win without a dressing room. Coincidentally, the winning teams in these two times were Arsenal, in the Community Shield and FA Cup finals.

But that was already last season. In this season's Community Shield Cup, Arsenal met Manchester United and failed in a penalty kick. Southampton's curse of no dressing room came true again, which also caused the media to speculate wildly before the game. To see the end To break the fate, or to continue the curse.

When the media asked this question to Yang Cheng, the Chinese coach said with a smile, I am happy to respect Arsenal's wishes. If they feel that using Nan Geng is If the dressing room will make them feel bad, that's totally fine. Is it going to be a draw? I can even generously give up the dressing room to the North Guard, so that they won't use this excuse to doubt this after losing. A game!”

As for the so-called curse, I have never believed in it. I firmly believe that the team that is more eager to win can win the final championship!

Yang Cheng's words may seem generous, but they are actually provoking the opponent, because if Arsenal chooses to draw lots or takes the initiative to get the dressing room in Beijing, then they will undoubtedly be at a disadvantage in terms of momentum. Who is willing to compete? Lose a piece before starting the fight?

Therefore, when Weng Ge was interviewed, he said that he was not afraid of Nan Geng's dressing room curse and declined Yang Cheng's so-called kindness.

For this game, the 27th round of the league between Arsenal and Liverpool was postponed, but the other games were all played on the 28th. Chelsea defeated Manchester City 1:0 away from home, and Manchester United tied with Fulham 1:1 away.

The devastated Ferguson pointed the finger at the referee after the game, but highly praised Fulham's goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, believing that the Dutch goalkeeper showed outstanding strength and ensured that Fulham scored points at home.

As a result, the top two in the league have not changed much. Arsenal and Liverpool continue to lead the standings, while Manchester United has shortened the distance with Chelsea, and the two teams are closely behind.

The Premier League battle and the League Cup final are on stage!