In 2010, in Liverpool's first official game, Comain did not send any of his main players. Even the goalkeeper was rotated out. Qin Xiong, Torres, Alonso, and Gerard did not appear in the squad list for the third round of the FA Cup.
On January 3, at the New Industrial Stadium, Comain sat in the technical area with a heavy heart. Everyone knew that the strength of Liverpool's substitute lineup was too different from the main lineup.
However, Koeman still had nowhere to vent the anger in his heart that he had nowhere to vent his frustration when facing a lower league opponent.
Reading forced Liverpool to a 1: 1 draw at home. In fact, if Reading had not missed a great opportunity, Liverpool might have been defeated at the New Industrial Stadium today.
The impact of this game on Comain was that he really realized that Liverpool's future construction was not only to strengthen the main lineup, but also to strengthen the substitute lineup.
At the beginning of the season, the substitute lineup could be used as an excuse to play in the EFL Cup that they had not yet gotten into shape. But after half a season, the substitute lineup, which did not have much experience in actual combat, had not made any qualitative progress. This made Comain feel very disappointed. He also realized that the problem of Liverpool's bench was actually more serious than he thought.
He had to take better care of the main lineup!
Otherwise, the almost unreliable substitute lineup could ruin all of Liverpool's efforts so far in future battles.
Liverpool was criticized by Fleet Street. It was obviously related to Liverpool's "negative" attitude towards the FA Cup.
The fans were also a little disappointed. Comain could only bear the pressure and stick to his position.
The main lineup must be well-rested at the right time.
After ten days or so of fatigue relief, Liverpool's elite players were ready to play in the 21st round of the Premier League with full spirit and exuberant fighting spirit.
Liverpool would be the final game in this league tournament. The game against Tottenham Hotspur would be the highlight of this round.
Arsenal, who made their debut first, was forced to a 2: 2 draw by Everton at the Emirates Stadium!
Next up was Manchester United, who went on an away expedition against Birmingham City. The result of the game was also a draw, 1: 1.
Chelsea, who played before Liverpool, went to Hull City's home ground. After 90 minutes, Chelsea could only regretfully get a draw in an embarrassing situation with no one available. The score was also 1: 1.
The Red Army fans were exhilarated when the finale of the current round arrived!
The other three direct competitors in the Big 4 had all lost 2 points in this round!
This meant that as long as Liverpool defeated Tottenham Hotspur, they could further expand their lead over all three competitors at the same time!
After sufficient rest, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur began a fierce battle at Anfield!
When Qin Xiong scored his second goal in the 78th minute of the game, the score on the scoreboard became 4: 1.
Anfield's cheers soared into the sky. The commentator, Martin, shouted excitedly, "Qin Xiong has sealed the victory for Liverpool! In this round, Manchester United is a draw, Chelsea is a draw, and Arsenal is a draw! Liverpool can get a victory, and it was against Tottenham Hotspur, who is ranked fifth in the league!
Liverpool will expand their lead in this round!
Although the league tournament is only halfway through, the increasingly strong Liverpool is on their way to their first Premier League title! "
At the end of the game, the cheers that erupted from Anfield shook the stadium. The team song echoed in the stadium for a long time. The Liverpool players hugged each other, high-fived and roared, celebrating their further consolidation of their lead.
At the end of the 21st round, Liverpool led Manchester United by 6 points, and led Chelsea and Arsenal by 8 points!
Qin Xiong gave his jersey to the fans in the stands before leaving the field. Almost all the fans nearby said similar words to him in a pleading tone.
"Hold on to this performance, don't give Manchester United and Chelsea any chance!"
It seemed that the Red Army fans did not think that Arsenal would be a threat to the title race.
Qin Xiong was brimming with pride and kept nodding to the fans. He also hoped that everyone could maintain this momentum and not give the pursuers any chance.
Fleet Street congratulated Liverpool on their eighth consecutive league win and also looked forward to the third round of the FA Cup replay, believing that Liverpool could easily pass it.
"With a huge six-point lead over the second place, Liverpool can send enough strength to beat Reading in the FA Cup!"
But the fact was that when the FA Cup replay came in the middle of the week, Comain sent out the same starting lineup as the one at the New Industrial Stadium in the last round!
Even the substitute list was the same!
Most of the main players did not make the squad list, and those who should rest went to rest.
Comain told himself that he would never make the mistake of being unable to take care of both sides.
The domestic cup in England was up to fate!
In fact, the Liverpool coaching staff was very puzzled at first. After all, it was the FA Cup, not the EFL Cup.
Comain's explanation was that in the Premier League and the Champions League, we can't implement rotation. We can't even do rotation for individual main players!
There was only one qualified substitute for the two center backs. After the injury of the full back, Johnson, Degen's appearance was not satisfactory.
Did Aurelio have a substitute?
Mascherano was fine, Lucas could be rotated.
But did Alonso have a substitute? Gerard? Qin Xiong? Torres?
Liverpool had to do their best to play in the Premier League and the Champions League, so the main lineup's consumption would be greater than other teams!
While other teams could make local adjustments according to the progress of the game and the strength of the opponent, could Liverpool do the same?
Anyway, Comain dared not take the risk!
Because of this, he could no longer let the main players consume their stamina in the domestic cup.
If they continued to play like this, if the FA Cup passed, it would be the fourth round, the fifth round, the quarter-finals, and the semi-finals. It seemed that there were not many games, but don't forget that the knockout stage of the Champions League would start in the second half of the next month.
How could Liverpool have the capital to withstand the huge pressure and consumption brought about by fighting on three fronts?
Liverpool's coaching staff was convinced after listening to Comain's explanation.
In Anfield, the substitute lineup played against Reading. From the New Industrial Stadium to the Anfield Stadium, Liverpool's substitute lineup did not perform better. Instead, they made the same mistakes at home.
After 90 minutes, the score was 1: 1.
The game went into overtime.
After 120 minutes, the score was still 1: 1.
The game dragged into a cruel penalty shootout.
At this time, Liverpool, playing at home, was under more pressure. Coupled with the huge mental pressure of not being able to take down the opponent, Liverpool played abnormally in the penalty shootout.
Only one of the five penalties was scored, while Reading made two of the four penalties. They eliminated Liverpool in Anfield and advanced to the next round of the FA Cup!
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