When the 15th round of the Premier League was just around the corner, unexpected news came from Liverpool: Gerard was accidentally injured by a teammate on the training ground!
The young player, Insua, collided with Gerard during training, causing Gerard to sprain his ankle. This caused Gerard to suddenly drop out of the squad list for the weekend game against Tottenham Hotspur.
Comain was already numb to the team's constant injuries.
What he could not avoid was the transfer rumor that Liverpool was interested in bringing in Gareth Bale.
At the press conference before the expedition to North London, Comain had no choice but to admit Liverpool's interest in Bale in the face of Fleet Street's relentless questioning.
"Gareth Bale has grown into an excellent player. After our consideration, we believe that if he can join Liverpool, it will be a good improvement for the team's strength. However, we have not started negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur. Now is not a good time. We are now preparing for the Club World Cup next month."
"Tottenham Hotspur is asking for 60 million pounds. Does Liverpool have enough cash to complete the transfer?"
"This price is outrageous!"
"But Tottenham Hotspur's owner, Levy, claims that Bale will not leave for less than this price."
"We are still at the stage of observing Bale. We have not reached the stage of substantive negotiations."
"Apart from Bale, do Liverpool have any other targets?"
"This is not the theme of our press conference today. Do you have any questions about the game?"
"How long will Gerard be out?"
"The team doctor told me that Steve will return to us healthy in ten days."
.....
Over at Tottenham Hotspur, the old Redknapp firmly denied that Tottenham Hotspur would sell Bale at the press conference, declaring that Bale was not for sale.
Perhaps it was because the Champions League group stage was coming to an end. The prospects of the Premier League's strong teams were good, which allowed the strong teams to focus more on the league.
Arsenal played an exciting game at Villa Park, defeating Aston Villa 4: 2.
Manchester United went all out at Old Trafford, sweeping Blackburn Rovers 7: 1.
Only Chelsea, who were in a slump, were forced to a 1: 1 draw by Newcastle United at St James' Park.
It was the fifteenth round of the League Tournament's closing battle, which was also the focal battle of this round.
Tottenham Hotspur welcomed the reigning champions, Liverpool, to White Hart Lane.
Due to the transfer rumours between Bale and Liverpool, this game was more explosive than usual.
Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool were obviously not on the same level. Tottenham Hotspur had no chance to compete for the title, while Liverpool was the protagonist in the game of kings. But now Liverpool wanted to poach Tottenham Hotspur's star player, which naturally made White Hart Lane hostile to Liverpool.
In the players' tunnel, the Liverpool players could not help but look at Bale, as if they were getting to know him all over again. Perhaps only Insua held his head high and seemed determined to prove that he could be the Liverpool's main left back.
In fact, the Liverpool players lived in the United Kingdom and were surrounded by various football media all day long. Of course, they could hear reports and news about Bale.
In the eyes of the Liverpool locker room, Bale, who had shot to fame in the past year, perhaps his joining was indeed a positive stimulus. It was undeniable that Aurelio was old. A more impactful Bale could make the team stronger. Plus, he did not have to worry about adapting to the Premier League, so everyone was naturally welcoming.
Bale stood in the players' tunnel, waiting to play. He could not help but look at Liverpool's lineup, hiding the envy in his eyes.
Liverpool's jersey seemed to symbolize honor. The stage that Liverpool fought on, the goals that they pursued, were all what he longed for.
Being able to get the attention of Liverpool was a good opportunity for him to leap forward in his career.
But now could be said to be the worst opportunity.
The winter transfer left too little room for the clubs and players to operate on transfers.
Now there were fans at White Hart Lane who put up signs to persuade Bale to stay, hoping that he would stay in the team. He lived in North London and tirelessly listened to countless voices that wanted him to stay.
This naturally disturbed his thinking.
But he really wanted to go to a bigger stage!
Liverpool came to White Hart Lane today to take away the victory, and at the same time to break through the last layer of window paper and tell Bale: We want you. Do you want to join us? Or, first, experience the team strength of the Red Army!
Comain lined up in a 4-3-3 formation today.
Goalkeeper: Reina.
Defenders: Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Insua.
Midfielders: Mascherano, Alonso, Meireles.
Forwards: Raúl, Torres, Qin Xiong.
Meireles temporarily replaced Gerard, who could not play, and the captain's armband was worn on Alonso's arm.
Tottenham Hotspur's starting lineup: 4411.
Goalkeeper: Gomez.
Defenders: Hughton, Kaboul, Gallas, Hector.
Midfielders: Lennon, Palacios, Modric, Bale.
Forwards: Van Der Vaart, Crouch.
Once again, Qin Xiong and his old teammate, who was also his old friend, met each other on the court.
Van Der Vaart performed well after coming to Tottenham Hotspur, but he was no longer the first European Golden Boy winner who was highly anticipated by the outside world.
Tottenham Hotspur did not defend to the death at home. Instead, they used both wings as their main tactic.
Liverpool's midfield control slipped significantly today. Gerard was not present, and Meireles still could not replace Gerard's role. But fortunately, Liverpool's midfield creativity was still very strong.
Compared to Tottenham Hotspur's main method of breaking through from the flanks, Liverpool's team cooperation in the front field was flourishing.
At White Hart Lane, Tottenham Hotspur took the lead. Lennon broke Insua in a quick attack from the flank, then cut into the penalty area and passed the ball back to the top of the penalty area arc. Van Der Vaart, as a shadow striker, plugged in from behind and directly volleyed Reina's ten fingers.
Tottenham Hotspur took the lead with one goal!
Five minutes later, after Meireles and Raúl in the front field, Raúl moved diagonally to the other side of the penalty area. Qin Xiong stopped the ball in the penalty area and looked like he was going to shoot. Kaboul raised his leg to block Qin Xiong's shooting path, but Qin Xiong clipped the ball under his foot and brushed past it.
Qin Xiong pushed the ball from the far corner of the goal from the line of the penalty area and succeeded.
1:1
Tottenham Hotspur's flank offense was indeed strong. Modric's midfield maneuvering was like a master. Bale and Lennon caused a lot of trouble for Liverpool on the two flanks.
Unfortunately, Crouch missed a few opportunities.
Before the end of the first half, Torres received Qin Xiong's pass from the line of the penalty area and bypassed Gallas before he raised his leg to shoot. The goalkeeper, Gomes, punched the ball out with both fists.
The bounced football fell at the feet of Meireles, who passed the ball short to Qin Xiong on the left in front of the penalty area.
Before the Tottenham Hotspur team could react, Qin Xiong's cross kick over the top assisted Raúl's volleyed shot from the far point of the penalty area to break the goal!
Liverpool completed a comeback in the first half!
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