The moment William blasted the ball into Liverpool's goal, the Anfield Stadium was silent for a moment.
Only the cheers from the visiting fans' stands were not loud.
The Liverpool fans looked at each other in disbelief. Maybe it was a joke!
In the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, Liverpool was the first to concede a goal at home!
Let the away team get a golden away goal?!
How could it be?
William ran to the sidelines to celebrate, while the Liverpool players were enraged like beasts that had been offended!
"Wow, wow, Shakhtar Donetsk scored first! William became the team's hero. He received a pass from his Brazilian compatriot, Costa, in the penalty area and scored with a powerful shot!
This goal was scored by Shakhtar Donetsk using a counterattack opportunity to break through to Liverpool's goal. It was not an accident that Shakhtar Donetsk was able to break into the top eight. Their counterattack was very sharp. Srna sprinted from the right flank for more than 40 yards before he passed the ball to William. William immediately sent a straight pass to Costa. After the pass, William immediately ran towards the empty space in the penalty area. At this time, Shakhtar Donetsk's offensive coordination could be seen. Judson cut into the middle, while William crossed with him to run. Shakhtar Donetsk's counterattack was skillful!
Liverpool is behind 0: 1 at home. Fortunately, there is still plenty of time. They don't have to panic at all. It's just that Shakhtar Donetsk got an away goal, which is an absolutely unfavorable thing. "
Before the restart, Gerard directed the midfield to make defensive adjustments and let Alonso's position retreat slightly to play as both defensive midfielders!
This was a decision made based on the situation on the field, especially the opponent's offensive routine. Liverpool must compress the space in front of the penalty area.
After the adjustments, Liverpool kicked off.
Shakhtar Donetsk took the lead in the score. They were even more determined to play defensive counterattack in Anfield.
Liverpool did not press on the attack in a moment of hotheadedness.
They had plenty of time. There was no need to cut off all means of retreat. That was too risky.
It was time for the team to show some real ability.
In the 21st minute of the game, Qin Xiong cut across the middle in front of the penalty area. He and Gerard completed a vertical two-one pass.
Gerard was originally in the middle. After Qin Xiong ran over, Gerard ran to the right front.
Meireles's pass was sent to Qin Xiong's feet. Before Miksitarian could intercept the ball, Qin Xiong poked the ball to Gerard, and then he ran forward to position himself. Gerard kicked the ball out when Fernandinho was chasing. The football returned to Qin Xiong's feet. Qin Xiong kicked the ball diagonally, and Gerard plugged into Shakhtar Donetsk's penalty area and broke through the entire defensive line. However, he did not have an angle to shoot, so he swept the ball across the middle of the goal from a position parallel to the penalty area.
Raúl shook off the two center backs, Ishchenko and Rajitschki, and rushed forward.
However, the ball was too close to the goal. Raúl barely lifted his leg to shoot, but the goalkeeper, Pyatov, who had abandoned the goal and came in front of him, blocked it with his shoulder.
Raúl held his head and looked up to the sky, feeling extremely helpless. At the same time, he blamed himself. Because when he looked back, he saw Qin Xiong running to the back of the goal. If he had passed the ball, Qin Xiong would have had a chance to score an empty goal!
"Liverpool missed a good opportunity. The offensive coordination was really wonderful. Qin Xiong, Gerard, and Raúl completed an excellent offensive coordination in front of Shakhtar Donetsk's penalty area. Unfortunately, when Raúl finally shot, he was too close to the goalkeeper, Pyatov. Otherwise, it would have been a wonderful goal."
Shakhtar Donetsk played a whirlwind again in the 25th minute of the game.
Meireles' long shot in front of the penalty area was blocked by Ishchenko's body. Fernandinho took control of the football in front of the penalty area and ran horizontally, dodging Gerard's counterattack. Then, he sent the ball to the front field to Judson with a straight pass.
After Judson took control of the ball and turned around, he saw Alonso and Mascherano blocking in front of him. He did not force it, and directly passed the ball to Douglas Costa.
The Brazilian winger confidently led the ball directly to break through Baines. Baines stayed close to the inside line and did not give Costa a chance to break through, so Costa could only dribble the ball to the sideline and quickly complete a pass.
He had to play quickly to buy time. Otherwise, there would be more Liverpool defenders in the penalty area when Liverpool's midfield returned to defend.
However, his pass was directly snatched out of the air by Reina.
Reina got up from the ground and immediately rushed forward. He saw Qin Xiong, who had retreated from the front field to near the halfway line.
Then he threw the ball directly to Qin Xiong.
Shakhtar Donetsk's attack only had four players in the front field. Srna came behind Qin Xiong to prepare for a sneak attack, but Qin Xiong directly dribbled the ball to the middle after he took control of the ball. Srna immediately retreated when he saw that the situation was not good and did not give Qin Xiong a chance to break through and shake him off.
Qin Xiong dribbled the football forward and began to speed up.
The two defensive midfielders, Fernandinho and Miksitarian, were facing a formidable enemy. They knew that if they went forward to intercept Qin Xiong, they would most likely be directly broken through by Qin Xiong!
With his sharp eyes, Qin Xiong's momentum was shocking. Just like Kaka in the past, he could single-handedly turn the opponent's defensive line upside down.
After Qin Xiong came to the danger zone 40 yards away from the goal, Fernandinho and Miksitarian could no longer retreat. The two men were ready to complete the double-team defense, but Qin Xiong was one step ahead and passed the ball straight.
The football rolled between the two men, followed by Qin Xiong who rushed over at lightning speed!
Raúl received the ball with his back in front of the penalty area. After the football rolled over, he gently knocked the ball diagonally. Qin Xiong, who rushed past the two defensive midfielders, took advantage of the opportunity to regain control of the ball.
Shakhtar Donetsk's defensive line all withdrew into the penalty area and formed a tight defense. They looked at Qin Xiong as if they were facing a formidable enemy.
As soon as Qin Xiong stepped into the penalty area, Srna came to encircle and suppress him. Behind Qin Xiong, Fernandinho and Miksitarian chased after him. Qin Xiong suddenly pushed the ball horizontally. Raúl pressed on the two center backs and did not dare to move, forming an effective restraint.
Just as everyone was guessing how Qin Xiong would break through the Shakhtar Donetsk's dense defensive line next, Qin Xiong knocked the ball back with his heel.
The Shakhtar Donetsk's defenders looked back in amazement, only to see Meireles follow up. He received the ball and directly kicked the ground to send it straight out.
Gerard cut into the penalty area from the outside and received Meireles' straight ball, forming a single ball diagonally to the goal!
Without any hesitation, Gerrard kicked the door with a heavy kick!
Shakhtar Donetsk's goalkeeper, Pyatov, subconsciously made a save. Although his palm touched the football, the angle was not right. After the football was refracted, the football still blasted into the goal!
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