Chapter 473: The First Step Toward Closing the Gap: Beat Manchester City!
Chapter 473: Chapter 474: The First Step Toward Closing the Gap: Beat Manchester City!
“Manchester City aren’t the same team they were a few years ago. Guardiola has truly found his formula at City, which is why, even during Liverpool’s peak over the past few seasons, Manchester City still managed to take a Premier League title away from them.”
“And now, after the first 16 rounds of this Premier League season, Manchester City have 15 wins and two draws. They’re comfortably top of the table, with even second-place Arsenal seven points behind!”
December 22. Premier League Matchweek 17 was about to begin, and Scholes was actually quite pleased with Arsenal’s performances this season.
“Since Arteta left Guardiola to become Arsenal’s manager, he hasn’t just helped them win a cup. He’s also made Arsenal competitive in the league again!”
“At least now, when people talk about Arsenal, they don’t call them a team that only fights for fourth place. Arsenal can finish third, second, or even challenge for the Premier League title. And in the other cup competitions, they have a chance of winning trophies too!”
Scholes looked toward Rivaldo. His commentary in the previous match had actually gone down pretty well with Premier League fans.
“Rivaldo, I’ll give you a chance to predict the winner between Manchester City and Liverpool. Ever since Ferguson left Manchester United, these two have been the fiercest rivals in the Premier League.”
“Now they’re about to meet again. What do you think Liverpool’s chances are this time?”
Rivaldo raised two fingers and waved them in front of Gullit.
Gullit immediately translated for him.
“Rivaldo means Liverpool have a 200 percent chance of winning. I knew you’d support Liverpool, Rivaldo. I knew I hadn’t misjudged you!”
Rivaldo silently lowered his two fingers.
“Is there any chance I meant 20 percent? Gullit, you can support Liverpool all you want, but don’t drag me into it.”
Hearing “20 percent,” Gullit thought it sounded strangely familiar.
“I seem to remember that when Leo first broke into Liverpool’s first team, fans also thought Liverpool had very little chance against Manchester City. But if I remember correctly, Liverpool beat City in that match.”
Rivaldo disagreed.
“How long ago was that?”
“Gullit, look at last season. Manchester City won four trophies. What did Liverpool win?”
Gullit laughed and answered in the exact same tone Rivaldo had just used.
“Last season?”
“How long ago was last season?”
“What does last season have to do with this one?”
Rivaldo suddenly understood why Ashley Cole had left the commentary team.
Wanting to spend more time with his family was probably just an excuse.
The real reason was most likely that he couldn’t stand Gullit anymore.
“Just wait and see what happens tomorrow, Gullit. There’s no point arguing with you.”
Scholes supported neither Liverpool nor Manchester City, so caught between the two of them, he was the only commentator still capable of looking at the match objectively.
Meanwhile, over at Liverpool’s training ground, Klopp had just finished the team’s final session.
“That’s it, boys. We’re definitely beating Manchester City tomorrow.”
Gakpo and Núñez, both relatively new to the team, had never faced Manchester City before.
They were especially curious about Foden, currently City’s best-performing winger.
“Captain, everyone says Foden is an incredible dribbler. They say he can beat several players in a very short space of time. Is that true?”
“Captain, they say whenever Foden gets the ball out wide, he can always create chances for his teammates through his dribbling. Is he really that good?”
Leo thought about their questions very seriously.
In particular, he recalled the results of all his previous head-to-head encounters with Foden.
Then he answered.
“I don’t know.”
“I’ve never really paid attention to how Foden plays when he’s on the other side against me.”
“And I don’t think I’ve ever lost a match with Foden on the opposing team.”
“Club or country, it doesn’t matter.”
“Any year.”
“Even last season, when Manchester City took the title from us, both matches we played against them ended in draws.”
Gakpo and Núñez looked at each other, then shook their heads with bitter smiles.
Of course.
Why had they asked Leo of all people?
From his perspective, how different could any other player really be?
Phil Foden was currently the Premier League player who had faced Leo more times than anyone else.
Even back when he was still in Manchester City’s youth system, Foden had regularly come up against him.
Once he reached the first team, Manchester City had to face Liverpool with Leo at least twice every season.
And if the cup draws were unkind, Foden might have to face him three or even four times.
Every single time, Foden could still remember what it had felt like to play against Leo before.
Then came December 23.
Standing in the familiar players’ tunnel, Foden kept looking around until he finally made eye contact with Leo approaching from the other side.
It was December 23, 6:00 p.m. in England, a kickoff time that both English and Chinese fans liked and could comfortably watch.
Premier League Matchweek 16.
Manchester City, twelve points ahead of Liverpool, had sent out their strongest possible lineup.
Klopp, meanwhile, had adjusted Liverpool’s team based on the players’ performances in the previous match.
Rivaldo was handling the pre-match lineup announcement for the first time.
He looked slightly nervous at first, but quickly settled into it.
“Everyone, I’ll be announcing the lineups today instead of Gullit, so you can all take your hands off your ears now.”
Hearing that, Gullit silently covered both of his own ears.
Scholes watched the two of them with a smile.
“Manchester City’s lineup. Ederson remains in goal!”
“At left back is Cancelo, who’s been scoring quite often for City lately.”
“Kyle Walker starts at right back, with Laporte and Rúben Dias at center back!”
“In midfield: De Bruyne, Stones, and Bernardo Silva!”
“Foden, Grealish, and Jesus make up the front three!”
When it was time to announce Liverpool’s lineup, Gullit immediately uncovered his ears again.
This one he wanted to hear properly.
“Liverpool start with Alisson in goal. He and Ederson are also rivals for the national team!”
“Robertson at left back, Joe Gomez at right back, with Konaté and Van Dijk at center back!”
“Rodri as the holding midfielder, with Mac Allister and Leo ahead of him.”
“Díaz, Gakpo, and Núñez make up the front three!”
Inside the players’ tunnel at the Etihad, Foden was hugging Leo, while Grealish stood right beside them.
“Leo, you promised you’d go out to dinner with me after today’s match. Don’t forget!”
Leo nodded.
“Let me beat you first. I’ll score six goals, then I’ll treat your entire team to dinner.”
Foden burst out laughing.
“You’re joking, right?”
A moment passed.
“Come on. Say it.”
Then another long silence.
“Leo, come on. Just say you’re joking.”