Five chapters!
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The Red Army fans in the Anfield stands were confused. Everyone whispered to each other uneasily.
They saw Liverpool constantly using long balls to attack Arsenal's defensive line. It was a typical English style of play. But if Liverpool wanted to defeat Arsenal in this way, then why would they need Benítez? Any British-style coach could make the team play like this, and maybe it would be better than the hoist tactics designed by Benítez!
Arsenal's offense on this side seemed a little fragmented. Liverpool's overall consistency in defense was commendable. If Pires or Ljungberg were on the flank, they would be easily cut off and isolated by the opponent. If they leaned towards the middle, this area would be more concentrated and difficult to play.
After the offense hit the flank, it was difficult to turn back to the middle. Qin Xiong and Vieira's cooperation in the middle was very tacit. They constantly tried to penetrate Liverpool's penalty area with long shots or wall collisions.
In the 58th minute of the game, Qin Xiong and Vieira consecutively made a one-two combination in the front field. Qin Xiong ran horizontally in front of the penalty area to dribble away Alonso. Vieira sent a good pass to Henry in front of Harman.
Henry gently pushed the ball horizontally in front of Carragher in the penalty area. He only flashed out a small angle before he raised his leg to shoot. It was a shot that focused on the element of surprise.
In order not to be destroyed by the opponent, Henry did not use his strength. The angle was very tricky. The football rolled in the direction of the lower left corner of the goal. But Dudek moved two steps to save and blocked the ball out of the end line with one hand.
Three minutes later, Liverpool's strategy of attacking the ball was still unsuccessful.
Seizing the opportunity when Qin Xiong tried to pass a straight pass to Pires but was cut off by Finnan, Alonso received his teammate's pass in the backfield and directly urged a long ball to counterattack.
Baros bravely rushed to the landing spot of the football in the penalty area, but he was obviously not Campbell's opponent. However, under the interference of his close pressing, Campbell's forward header was disrupted and the football flew between Silva and Vieira. At this moment, there was a big gap between the defensive midfielder and the fullback because the two defensive midfielders were fighting for the second landing spot.
Qin Xiong's first task as he jogged back was to mark Alonso. Although Alonso was running forward, he did not show any signs of going deep into Arsenal's half of the field. This gave Qin Xiong more energy to observe his teammates' defense.
After taking a closer look, an ominous premonition arose in his heart.
Liverpool was unwavering in their strategy of rushing forward. They probably did not expect a long pass and a header to directly break through the goal!
If that was the case, why didn't they send two center forwards?
That would obviously be more efficient.
Arsenal's defense against high flying balls was not invulnerable. At this moment, the header to clear the siege seemed stable, but there were occasional mistakes in the handling of the following situation.
Qin Xiong saw Gerard rushing forward from behind to between Silva and Vieira. He kicked off the ground and rushed forward, using his chest to take the football away from Campbell's header. Silva and Vieira were a little caught off guard.
Gerard used his chest to head the ball forward and rushed forward two steps after he landed. At this time, he was one meter outside the penalty area and had a good view in front of him. There was a gap between Campbell and Touré, but Gerard did not intend to dribble anymore. Following the most suitable height for the football to bounce up, he directly lifted his leg and volleyed in the air!
The football was like a flash of lightning across Arsenal's penalty area and rushed into the goal with the force of a thunderbolt!
Anfield suddenly erupted!
"Gerard's long shot breaks the goal! Liverpool is ahead of Arsenal again! Liverpool is getting stronger and there is no doubt about it. They have the ambition to end Arsenal's unbeaten record at home! "
Benítez looked up at the field from the technical area. His expression was calm, as if everything was within his expectations.
Gerard roared passionately and rushed to the front of the Kop stands to accept the worship of the Red Army's die-hard fans.
Arsenal's side felt aggrieved. They might not be able to feel Liverpool's strength, but they blamed themselves for not handling the ball well.
However, Liverpool's perseverance in playing with the drop tactics in the second half should not be ignored. They were waiting for Arsenal's headers to create a second attack opportunity.
Qin Xiong had seen many managers, but there were not many who could engrave and leave a deep impression on him.
Benítez was obviously one of them.
He guessed that Benítez had done more research on Arsenal than other managers. He put all the weaknesses and flaws of the opponent that could be exploited into the tactical adjustment of the match.
After taking the lead again, Liverpool's morale was greatly boosted. Whether it was offense or defense, they were stronger than Arsenal in terms of momentum!
Arsenal, on the other hand, appeared to be under too much pressure and revealed a slightly nervous and anxious side.
Pires's willful pass was intercepted, Ljungberg was shown a yellow card for knocking down Kewell in a scramble. Vieira was also a little afraid of the opponent and did not dare to easily step forward to participate in the attack. Henry took the initiative to pull to the side, but it was obvious that he could not perform a one-off, and there was a lack of support in the penalty area.
At this time, Qin Xiong took the initiative to slow down the pace and calmed his teammates with a smooth pass.
Perhaps for other teams, charging forward and attacking ferociously could make a name for themselves. But for a team like Arsenal, which was particular about passing and cutting on the ground and team coordination, it was difficult to create miracles with just passion. Their philosophies were different, and their explosiveness was also different.
Liverpool were unforgiving. They almost scored another goal in the 71st minute.
Kewell cut inside on the flank and broke through Lauren, attracting Touré's attention. He almost sent a babysitter to Baros, but Baros's shot was blocked by Lehmann, who abandoned the goal and went out with his body!
Every Liverpool player had an incomparably firm belief at this time. They worked harder than before and seemed to be more motivated.
End Arsenal's unbeaten streak!
Qin Xiong restricted Alonso from crossing the half of the field to plug in. Alonso was also wary of Qin Xiong.
It looked like Qin Xiong was a little exhausted.
But this did not affect Alonso's appreciation of Qin Xiong.
He had done a good job, working hard to stabilize Arsenal's offensive system, and also created opportunities for his teammates. He also personally used his personal ability to form a restraint. He was excellent, but one person's excellence was not enough for the team to win!
Liverpool's overall excellence, and the success of their on-field skills and tactics, would bring about victory!
The game time was getting shorter and shorter. Just when everyone thought that Arsenal could not play any more threatening offense, in Anfield Stadium, there was a sudden clap of thunder!
In the 81st minute, Qin Xiong leisurely dribbled the ball in the front field. He once again came in front of Alonso, and then seemingly casually moved to the right front, lifting his leg to pass the ball to Ljungberg.
Alonso's center of gravity only changed slightly, but Qin Xiong used his right foot to kick the ball back behind him, stopped suddenly, and turned sharply!
Alonso was already prepared. He immediately moved horizontally to block Qin Xiong's route of breakthrough.
But what really surprised him and Harman was that after Qin Xiong kicked the ball back, he did not cross it diagonally, but dribbled it horizontally!
He quickly dodged Alonso and Harman's continuous interceptions. If he still wanted to break through the two players, he would have to make a big detour, which would obviously delay the opportunity.
In fact, Qin Xiong did not intend to bypass the opponent's defensive midfielder. It was too difficult. Even if he did, there was not much room for the next step.
What he wanted was just a passing vision!
At this time, after dodging Alonso and Harman horizontally, Qin Xiong glanced at the front line and suddenly lifted his leg to pass the ball. In a calm posture, the outer instep of his right foot rubbed against the left edge of the football, and then the football left his foot and flew into Arsenal's penalty area.
The moment Qin Xiong kicked the ball behind him, all the players in Liverpool's defensive line knew that he would not pass the ball to Ljungberg.
And now there were only two possible options for him to pass the ball, Henry or Pires.
At the moment the football flew out, considering Qin Xiong's position and the direction the football was flying, Carragher calmly pointed to the right side.
He was reminding Finnan to keep an eye on Pires!
And Pires was also running inside. He was entangled with Finnan, and Carragher was ready to fill in at any time to assist in the defense.
But halfway through the football's flight, Carragher's thinking took a huge turn!
F-U-C-K！
It was a curveball, an inside spin!
The football bounced to the ground in front of his right. The strong rotation brought about an arc that was very obvious. At this time, Carragher went forward to try to control the ball, but it was obviously too late!
The football went around his right side and rolled behind him!
Carragher turned his head to look and saw that Henry had taken the lead to run to control the football. At the same time as he was about to shoot, Hyypia shoveled. However, Henry feinted to pull the ball away from Hyypia and faced Dudek alone!
Henry calmly pushed the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal, the dead corner!
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