After school, Tendou took Amanai Riko to Salah's villa.
He wasn't late, but the Liverpool players and their families had already arrived.
Riko didn't have any trouble fitting in. The girl had a social butterfly personality and started actively communicating with people in her broken English as soon as she walked in.
"Who did you learn your English from? A Japanese person?"
"Who else?"
Tendou rolled his eyes so hard they almost reached the heavens. Learning English from a Japanese person, no wonder her accent was so special.
No time to dwell on it. Salah had already come out to greet him.
"I didn't bring you a gift, Mohamed. I haven't been paid yet."
"No problem. How's the University of Liverpool?"
"I've suddenly thought of a gift for you. How about a medical dictionary?"
"Hahahahaha..."
Salah burst out laughing, draping an arm around his shoulder and leading him inside.
This wasn't a party, but a team gathering specially arranged to welcome Tendou.
"She's very young."
"I'm also very young."
"Haha, I know. I'll have Magi show her around later. It can be intimidating to be alone in a foreign country."
Salah took Tendou to the balcony, holding a wine glass.
Magi was his wife, whom he had met when he was in school. She was a devout Muslim and known as a breath of fresh air among the football WAGs.
Tendou nodded and did not refuse.
He felt quite guilty towards Amanai Riko; the time he spent with her was very short.
That's why he had brought her directly to England.
"Just focus on playing. Liverpool is a very good platform."
"Thanks."
Tendou was genuinely grateful and was about to raise his glass to drink when Mané stopped him.
"TJ, you haven't reached the legal drinking age yet."
Tendou's face darkened again. These bastards were constantly amusing themselves at his expense.
"Fuck you, Sadio!"
"Hahahaha..."
...
Three days later.
Premier League, Matchday 18. Liverpool hosted Manchester United at home.
The world-famous Double Red Derby was about to kick off at Anfield.
In the Premier League this season, Liverpool was in second place in the table, nipping at Manchester City's heels, while Manchester United was hovering in the European qualification spots.
Above the Red Devils were Arsenal and Tottenham. It would not be easy to break into the top four.
However, no matter the time or the rankings, the Double Red Derby always becomes the focus of the world. It is a battle of the century, comparable to the Spanish El Clásico.
Klopp had confirmed the starting lineup for this match a day ago.
"We need his creativity and interception in the midfield. He can attack and defend. His performance in the last match was perfect!"
The man Uncle Scum was talking about was, of course, Tendou.
Liverpool's midfield had too many injuries right now, which was why Tendou had the opportunity to start in the Double Red Derby.
But before the match, he also warned Tendou to be careful.
The intensity of the Double Red Derby was no joke.
At the pre-match press conference, the new manager of the Red Devils, ten Hag, gave his usual performance.
"They are second this season, and we were second last season. We have no pressure at all for the match against Liverpool."
"TJ?"
"He's excellent, but he's only played one professional match. The data sample is too small. We won't pay too much attention to him. We just need to do our own job."
In the press conference, ten Hag didn't seem to care about Tendou at all.
There was truth and falsehood in his words. He always liked to use this kind of rhetoric to disrupt the opponent's mentality.
For both Liverpool and Manchester United, the Double Red Derby was a match that absolutely could not be lost.
Ten Hag clearly knew that if he could win this match, he would gain the support of the Manchester United fans and solidify his position.
Yes.
Mourinho had left Manchester United. His relationship with Pogba had reached a freezing point.
Mourinho had even gone so far as to bench the World Cup winner Pogba, leaving him on the bench for three consecutive matches.
And then, Pogba and his agent started to cause trouble.
The media even specifically interviewed Manchester United fans in Manchester, asking them who they would choose if they had to pick one.
The Manchester United fans answered without hesitation, "Of course we want Pogba. He's a world champion."
Ed Woodward and the other senior executives at Manchester United also chose Pogba.
Because the current Manchester United was not the Manchester United of the Ferguson era. The current Manchester United only had Pogba as a superstar to help them attract fans to buy tickets.
Little did they know, the Magic Bird had said in an interview a year ago that "leading Manchester United to a second-place finish in the league was one of the greatest achievements of my career."
Back to the Double Red Derby.
The enmity between the two teams began many years ago, stemming from the trade and culture of the two cities, and escalating to economic and social construction, with friction and conflict in all aspects.
In the modern era of peace, malicious warfare is no longer the correct way to compete, so the battlefield has shifted to the green pitch.
Over time, the atmosphere has built up to the point where every time the two teams meet, a fierce battle is bound to erupt.
The players on both sides go into the match with a must-win mentality, playing with the determination that they absolutely cannot lose to their opponents.
When things get heated, a football match can even turn into a WWE match!
Therefore, the attention on the Double Red Derby is incredibly high. The number of fans who have pre-booked to watch the live broadcast has exceeded two million.
"I promise you, I would rather lose the Champions League final than lose to those bastards from Manchester United!"
After the pre-match press conference, Klopp walked into the locker room with the players.
He was always full of passion, the kind of head coach who loved to motivate his team.
"I will make adjustments based on your performance. Everyone will have a chance to play. I promise you."
"So every single one of you, whether you're in the starting eleven or sitting on the bench, I need you to be ready."
"I believe in you all completely. I need you to do one thing: show the greatest courage, the most passion and imagination, and execute our tactics!"
"Win this match!"
"Make those sons of bitches from Manchester United leave Anfield with tears in their eyes!"
"This is our turf! We call the shots here!"
Meanwhile, in the Chinese broadcast room, Zhan Jun was already chatting about the game with his co-commentator in his signature "Liverpool" accent.
"Fans, you are now watching the blockbuster match of the 18th round of the Premier League, the Double Red Derby!"
"Liverpool versus Manchester United!"
"The stadium appearing on your screen is Liverpool's home ground, Anfield."
"One of the oldest and most prestigious stadiums in the history of England!"
At this moment, looking down from above the live broadcast, red smoke was drifting through the air at Anfield.
It was set off by the Liverpool fans.
The FA has clear regulations prohibiting actions that interfere with the match, such as setting off fireworks, flares, smoke bombs, etc.
But whether it's the Liverpool fans or the United fans, whenever they face their mortal enemy, they just can't help it.
They use this kind of action to vent their hatred for the enemy!
...
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