"Coach, I want to go back to the youth academy. I think I still need more time."
Ocho opened his chat with Klopp. That sentence had been sitting in the text box for a very long time. His finger reached for send, then pulled back again.
Ocho had been hesitating for half an hour before Leo Lin and Rodri knocked on his door.
There were some things Leo Lin could not say to the fans, because most of them were simply joining in the mockery. Of course he knew Ocho had not played well. Part of it was because his current ability was not enough yet, but another part was connected to Liverpool's midfield.
Jones could not hold the right side of midfield, and behind him was Ocho playing right center back. Without proper protection in front of him, a center back's weaknesses would be magnified without limit.
It was a chain reaction. But the fans had already turned mocking Ocho's performances into entertainment, and that would definitely damage a young player's mentality.
"Lin, I want to go back to the youth academy. I don't think I'm ready to survive in the first team yet."
Ocho and Lin sat together, with the phone in front of them. Leo Lin glanced at the message Ocho wanted to send Klopp, but he did not stop him.
"Ocho, I won't stop you. You need to do what you think is best for you right now."
"But I want you to understand one thing. Klopp has never misjudged a player."
"He believes you have the ability to play for the first team. That's why he called you up."
"We all doubt ourselves sometimes. Like I said before, there will always be countless people jumping out to say you're not good enough, that you're a failure. But you can't lose confidence in yourself."
Beside them, Rodri patted Ocho on the shoulder without saying anything. He knew that in moments like this, Ocho could only truly grow if he got through it himself.
"Turn off your social media. Before you prove yourself, none of those voices matter."
Leo Lin and Rodri had brought dinner with them, and the three of them ate together in Ocho's hotel room.
Ocho and Jones were not the only ones receiving malicious comments. Even Robertson and Wijnaldum, whose performances had dipped because of extreme fatigue, faced varying degrees of doubt.
That was the world of football. When you played well, all the praise came flooding in. But when you did not play well enough, the doubts, abuse, and mockery soon followed.
The vast majority of Liverpool fans still stood firmly behind the team, but support did not mean they were not worried.
November 24, the 14th round of the Premier League. A clash between two giants.
More importantly, if Liverpool lost this match, the gap between them and Manchester City would grow to five points.
Five points was far too much to give a Manchester City side that was extremely good at league football. They had the ability to keep expanding that lead to seven points, nine points, eleven points, and eventually make Liverpool completely lose hope of competing for the Premier League title.
For Liverpool, this was a match they absolutely could not lose.
Everyone understood how important this match was for both sides. Klopp's good news was that Leo Lin had officially returned from injury.
Matip had also returned, but he was not ready to start yet. He could sit on the bench as a backup option.
In the end, Ocho did not send that message. He decided to give himself one more chance.
He shut down his social media and worked even harder in training. He also joined Rodri's extra training group. Ability might have to be built slowly over time, but rebuilding confidence could absolutely improve a player's performance on the pitch.
Leo Lin officially returned to first team training, and the Captain's armband would be worn on his arm.
Klopp drew up a comprehensive tactical plan aimed at Manchester City's style of play this season.
Mané had been given a full rotational rest in the previous match against Watford, while Firmino had also received 45 minutes of rest. Add in Leo Lin's return, and Klopp had the confidence to go toe to toe with Manchester City.
On November 22, the Premier League's official preview show put the top of the table clash in the prime 8 p.m. local time slot. More than a hundred European media outlets alone had already released live broadcast previews.
"According to the Premier League's official title probability forecast for this season, Manchester City are first with a 57 percent chance. Liverpool have dropped to 19 percent, while Arsenal are second at 30 percent."
"The day after tomorrow, the Premier League's battle for first place begins. Manchester City face Liverpool. City have no injury concerns at all, and Mahrez has gradually integrated into the team, showing even greater energy."
"The good news for Liverpool is the return of Lin and Matip from injury, but their exact condition remains to be seen."
Scholes looked at Liverpool, who were now trapped in difficulty. He understood that injuries would always be a team's greatest enemy.
"We'll come back," Gerrard said, looking at Liverpool's predicted starting lineup.
"We'll come back. We'll end this four match winless run and take those precious three points!"
Beside him, Cantona snorted in disdain.
"How is this Liverpool supposed to beat Manchester City? You really dare to say that."
"They should be thanking the heavens if they can hold on for a draw and take one point. The chances of beating Manchester City are too small."
"Lin may have returned from injury, but it's no use if he's fighting alone on the pitch. One man can't change the team."
As the King of Manchester United, Cantona found it hard to choose between Manchester City and Liverpool. After all, both clubs were complicated presences for Manchester United. But from an objective point of view, he favored Manchester City.
There was no doubt that the outside world was still writing Liverpool off.
As the team bus slowly drove into Anfield, both starting lineups were ready and had entered the tunnel.
For the first time in his career, Leo Lin wore the Liverpool Captain's armband. Holding the Liverpool team flag, he stood at the very front of the line.
In the official broadcast booth, Scholes spoke.
"Premier League fans!"
"You are now watching the top of the table clash in the 14th round of the 2018 to 19 Premier League season!"
"Manchester City are away to Liverpool, and both sides have submitted their starting lineups!"
"Manchester City have no injury concerns at all. They are sending out their full strength lineup, packed with stars!"
"Goalkeeper: Ederson!"
"Defenders: Mendy, Laporte, Stones, Kyle Walker!"
"Midfielders: David Silva, Fernandinho, Bernardo Silva!"
"Forwards: Sterling, Agüero, Mahrez!"
"As for Liverpool, Leo Lin has returned from injury, is back in the starting lineup, and will serve as the on field captain!"
"Goalkeeper: Mignolet!"
"Defenders: Robertson, Van Dijk, Ocho, Arnold!"
"Midfielders: Wijnaldum, Leo Lin, Rodri!"
"Forwards: Mané, Firmino, Shaqiri!"
Referee Mel Jones led the players from both teams onto the pitch.
Leo Lin did not notice it at first. But as he strode quickly onto the field, a huge portrait suddenly appeared before him.
Liverpool fans had made a giant portrait of him to honor his first time leading the team as captain.
Beneath the portrait, an enormous banner slowly unfurled from left to right across Anfield's North Stand:
"You won't fight alone, because we are all behind you!"
The song ringing in Leo Lin's ears echoed for a long, long time.
"You'll never walk alone."
"You'll never walk alone!"
...
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