The players from both sides glared at each other in the tunnel.
Even national team teammates like Firmino and Fernandinho just made eye contact and nodded, and that was considered a greeting.
On the field, the noise was deafening.
The songs of the fans from both sides poured in from the tunnel entrance, as loud as thunder.
And then, led by the head referee, the players from both sides walked out of the tunnel, holding the hands of the mascots.
The cheers of the entire stadium erupted.
Isagi Yoichi, in the stands, was startled.
This was a completely different feeling from watching it on TV.
Manchester City set up in a 4-3-3 formation.
Goalkeeper: Ederson.
Defenders: Danilo, Stones, Kompany, Laporte.
Midfielders: Bernardo Silva, Fernandinho, De Bruyne.
Forwards: Sané, Prince, Agüero.
Liverpool was not intimidated, also deploying an aggressive 4-3-3 formation.
Goalkeeper: Alisson.
Defenders: Robertson, Van Dijk, Lovren, Alexander-Arnold.
Midfielders: Henderson, Tendou, Fabinho.
Forwards: Salah, Firmino, Mané.
Both teams had players returning from injury for this match. For Manchester City, it was the Belgian superstar De Bruyne. For Liverpool, it was the important summer signing, the versatile Brazilian holding midfielder.
In such a crucial battle, both sides, as if by prior agreement, chose to go all out, dispatching their strongest lineups.
Alexander-Arnold was moved back from the holding midfield position to the defensive line.
This would, to some extent, reduce the strength of Liverpool's defense, but Klopp wanted Arnold's ball-playing ability more.
And besides, with Van Dijk and Robertson next to him, "Highway 66" would not be so easy to pass through.
When the Manchester City players' names were announced, the applause was thunderous.
When it was the Liverpool players' turn, a huge wave of boos rained down.
The boos Tendou received were the fewest.
After coming onto the field, he even noticed that there weren't many racist posters targeting him, nor any specific insults.
The people of Manchester clearly don't understand how great I am. This is outrageous.
Tendou was annoyed by the Manchester crowd's lack of perception.
The forgetful people of Manchester had obviously forgotten how their brothers, Manchester United, had been thrashed by him.
On Sky Sports, Gerrard would naturally not miss this crucial battle for his old club.
"Hey, Steven, it seems your little brother isn't getting much attention from the Man City fans."
The host said with a smile, looking at Gerrard.
Gerrard also smiled and said, "TJ will make everyone who underestimates him pay the price. I have long felt a spiritual connection with TJ, even though we don't live far apart, we have never had the chance to meet."
"Is that so? Then I think you two will have a lot of common topics. The Liverpool fans now think TJ has a chance to be the next you."
"That's my honor. From what I've seen, TJ's talent is better than mine. His future achievements will be greater than mine."
Gerrard was being very modest.
How could he not see what the fans could see?
In his view, Tendou's talent was absolutely historic.
Plus, his old club, Liverpool, was not like it used to be. They had ample funds, and the squad was at a world-top-three level.
For Tendou to come to Liverpool at this time, he was destined to soar. It would be hard for him not to succeed.
"You're too modest, Steven!"
"Alright, the referee has blown the whistle. The match has begun."
The host sat up straight. Gerrard stared intently at the pitch.
If you looked closely, you could find that his gaze was constantly following Tendou's movements.
The match on the field quickly began.
Manchester City, in their sky-blue jerseys, attacked from left to right first.
There was no probing.
Right from the start, they poured into Liverpool's half like a tide.
The Belgian superstar, before the defender could get close, sent out a brilliant "Ground Rainbow" pass.
The ball went through the Liverpool defense to Sané, who then passed it to Prince on the wing.
The world's number two followed up with a powerful shot to kick things off, but it was blocked by Alisson's fists.
Liverpool's possession. Manchester City immediately pressed high.
Arnold just booted the ball forward, but he used too much force, and the ball flew out of bounds.
"Calm down, Crown Prince."
Tendou patted his shoulder.
With a win greatly increasing their chances for the title, it was natural for a young player like Arnold to be nervous.
He nodded at Tendou. "If we win the match, I'll take you to the best nightclub. My treat."
Tendou was stunned for a moment.
The Liverpool Crown Prince clearly saw him as an older brother figure. Little did he know that Tendou's sights were already set on Salah and the others.
He planned to wear Liverpool's number 10 next year.
That was the number of the team's core.
...
Arnold?
He could only be his little brother.
Manchester City took the throw-in.
De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Fernandinho made several passes. Agüero received the ball near the edge of the box and took a powerful shot.
The ball hit Van Dijk's shoulder and bounced out, landing right at Tendou's feet.
Tendou immediately turned.
Without any hesitation, he strode forward.
Zzzzt~
His special effects were maxed out. With lightning at his feet, he charged forward like the God of Thunder.
De Bruyne and the other Man City players, who were too far forward from the attack, desperately tracked back.
But they found they couldn't quickly close in on Tendou.
His speed was too fast, making it impossible for them to catch up.
Unlike Loki's speed, which was so fast he couldn't control it, Tendou could control his own speed very well, man and ball as one.
...
Ahead, Salah, Mané, and Firmino were making runs, pulling the Man City defensive line apart.
The roars of the Man City fans in the stands were deafening, putting pressure on Tendou.
The Liverpool fans, on the other hand, had all stood up, watching Tendou fly like a meteor.
On Sky Sports, Gerrard shouted excitedly, "Man City's midfield is out of position! TJ is very fast with the ball! A golden opportunity!"
...
On the pitch, Tendou had already crossed the center circle. He only looked forward, but the runs of all his teammates were being sketched out in his mind in advance.
Salah sprinted forward, then suddenly stopped.
Kompany and Bernardo Silva, who were following him, overran and hurriedly stopped to turn back.
Just as the two of them had a momentary pause in their center of gravity and hadn't picked up speed again, Tendou's through pass arrived as if it had traveled through time.
Swoosh!
The ball pierced through the Man City defense and arrived at Salah's feet. The Egyptian Pharaoh received the ball and, with one touch, broke through between the two defenders.
A one-on-one!
If he scores this!
Liverpool can turn the tables!
The hearts of the Manchester City fans were in their throats. Ederson quickly charged out. On the other side, Mané had also made a run. Salah, not being greedy, made a horizontal pass, and Mané tapped it into the empty net.
0:1!
The away team, Liverpool, had turned the tables, taking the lead right at the start of the game.
The Manchester City players immediately complained that Salah was offside when he received the ball.
But the referee blew the whistle, communicated with the VAR team, and his finger pointed firmly to the center circle.
The goal stands!
...
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