After the end of the FIFA match day, Comain observed the physical condition of the players who returned to the team. He got poor medical and training data. Most of the team's main players were not in good physical condition.
Considering that the first leg of the Champions League 14 final would be next week, he would freeze the key players.
Liverpool visited The Hawthorns to challenge Hodgson's West Bromwich Albion in the 31st round of the Premier League.
Liverpool, who sent a lot of substitute players to play, performed badly at The Hawthorns.
Suarez turned in the data of one in ten shots. In the end, Liverpool lost 1: 2 to West Bromwich Albion in the away game. It was a big upset.
Comain did not criticize the team after the game. Instead, he reassured the players and said it was just a normal loss.
Before he attended the post-match press conference, he held a 20-minute team meeting in the locker room to analyze the reasons for the loss with the players.
Including the freeze of the main players, most of the team's national footballers were exhausted during the FIFA match day. For example, Suarez went back and forth between South America and Europe. Not only did the journey consume a lot of energy, but he also had to adjust to the jet lag. It was understandable that his body was not in good condition.
The only thing that worried Comain was that Kuyt was injured in the game. His diagnosis was not out yet. The future games would be very crucial. Comain did not want the team to lose any more players.
At the post-match press conference, Comain took the responsibility for the loss, but also said the team now valued the Champions League game more. It was a "rational choice that must be paid for the price!"
Liverpool wanted to go all out in the Champions League and maintain the winning momentum in the league. Sorry, the intensity of the Premier League was unimaginable. Things would never develop as expected.
In the same round of the game, Manchester United defeated West Ham United 4: 2 in the away game and smoothly took all three points.
Chelsea was forced to a 1: 1 draw with Stoke City in the away game.
Arsenal put on a terrible performance of zero in 22 shots at the Emirates Stadium and finally made up with Blackburn Rovers 0: 0.
Manchester City beat Sunderland 5: 0 at home.
In the fight for the Champions League qualification, Manchester United was already considered to be able to get a ticket to next season's Champions League. The remaining two tickets would be contested between Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City.
Without a Champions League mission, Arsenal's continuous loss of points made the Gunners' fans worried. It was understandable that Chelsea's focus had shifted to the Champions League. Ancelotti's team was about to fight an English civil war.
Manchester City only had the domestic front, the FA Cup, to worry about. Their primary goal was to focus on the league and win a ticket to the Champions League.
After 31 rounds, the competition between the third and fifth places in the standings was still fierce. Tottenham Hotspur had a chance to take a step forward this round, but they missed the best opportunity after their 0: 0 draw with Wigan Athletic in their away game.
Liverpool 75 points.
Manchester United 63 points.
Arsenal 59 points.
Manchester City, 57 minutes.
Chelsea scored 56 points.
Tottenham 50 points.
.....
The first leg of the Champions League 14 final arrived as scheduled. The news of Shakhtar Donetsk's arrival in Liverpool did not cause too much of a stir.
They were not a traditional strong team in the Champions League. They were now more like a dark horse.
The day before the game, Comain emphasized at the pre-match press conference, "Shakhtar Donetsk's ability to reach the top eight represents their strength. Liverpool's goal is to defend the Champions League title. Now we have to get our mentality right. Shakhtar Donetsk, Manchester United or Chelsea, and then the final. If we want to go to the final, there are only two opponents left to stop us. This is not the time to compare the team's history and the strength of the team's lineup. The simple reality is that whoever stands in my way, I will get rid of them!"
Comain, who had been humble and low-key for most of the season, suddenly became tough. It was as if he saw that Shakhtar Donetsk were weak and easy to bully, so he put on a stance. In fact, Liverpool also needed such a stance. Liverpool was not afraid of any opponent, so they had to be more flamboyant in their external attitude!
The Shakhtar Donetsk manager also said at the pre-match press conference, "Liverpool is very strong. They are one of the three strongest teams in Europe. It is unfortunate that we have drawn Liverpool. But in football, everything is possible. Just as no one expected us to advance from the group stage, we have advanced. No one expected us to break into the top eight. We have come to Anfield, and tomorrow we will do everything we can to win!"
The next night, the sea breeze of the spring night made Liverpool particularly enchanting. The sky full of stars and moonlight shone on the city, making it stand out and charming. Anfield was full of people. The enthusiasm was like fire, as if summer was coming and the heat was suddenly attacking.
The starting players of the two teams, Liverpool and Shakhtar Donetsk, walked into the stadium together. The deafening noise stirred up everyone's hearts.
Lined up in the stadium, the camera swept across each player with a different expression. For example, Qin Xiong had an indifferent expression, but his slightly raised chin made him stand out in terms of temperament.
"Welcome to England's Anfield Stadium. This is the live broadcast of the first leg of the Champions League 14 final. We will be live broadcasting the first leg of the Champions League 14 final between Liverpool and Shakhtar Donetsk at the home of the defending champion Liverpool.
The defending champion Liverpool's double victory over AC Milan in the Champions League 18 final in two legs made the whole of Europe tremble!
Powerful offensive firepower and a variety of tactical changes. The topic discussed last year was still unanswered this year: How on earth should they restrain Liverpool?
Could Shakhtar Donetsk create a miracle?
They had just completed a magnificent feat against AS Roma, eliminating the traditional powerhouse AS Roma in the Champions League 18 final, and now they were at Anfield Stadium. It was really just out of the dragon's lair and into the tiger's den!
It was undeniable that Shakhtar Donetsk had a lot of talented and capable players. Their performances were worthy of people remembering the names of these players.
Let's take a look at the starting list for both sides.
The defending champion Liverpool, who was sitting at home, started with the 4-4-2.
Goalkeeper: Reina.
Defenders: Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Baines.
Midfielders: Alonso, Mascherano, Gerard, Meireles.
Forwards: Raúl, Qin Xiong.
Due to Kuyt's injury and absence, Liverpool lined up with a 4-4-2 formation. Today, Qin Xiong and Raúl joined forces to attack. It was not known whether Shakhtar Donetsk could withstand the powerful offensive firepower of the Red Army.
Shakhtar Donetsk started with the 4-3-1 formation.
Goalkeeper: Pyatov.
Defenders: Srna, Ishchenko, Rajitski, Rater.
Midfielders: Douglas Costa, Miksitarian, Judson, Fernandinho, Willian.
Forwards: Luis Adriano.
Shakhtar Donetsk almost relied on a group of South American players to prop up the attacking line, and then the Eastern European players to prop up the rear defensive line. They have performed amazingly since the beginning of the group stage this season. After advancing undefeated, they eliminated AS Roma in the Champions League 18 final with a total score of 6: 2 in two legs. Will there be a big offensive battle at Anfield today? Let's wait and see! "
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
