Chapter 537: Digging a Hole

Aguero helped Manchester City test Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson first by grabbing the ball, and then Li Qing responded with a long shot. Taking advantage of the opportunity when Arnold was about to take a corner kick, the on-site director gave Aguero and Li Qing a close-up shot of their faces.

Aguero, who was the first to show his power, had a solemn face, and Li Qing, who was trying to shock the opponent, had a normal face as usual, and was not affected by the fanatical atmosphere of the game at all.

"aoaooaoaoooooooo——"

Accompanied by the huge cheers from the sky above Anfield, Arnold took an offensive corner kick on the right side. Li Qing, who tested Ederson half a minute ago, appeared on the broadcast screen again. He suddenly stopped in place while running and jumped up, overpowering Stones and De Bruyne to head the ball into the goal.

Ederson, who was standing in the middle of the goal, failed to react in time. Just as the Manchester City players' hearts 'clicked', the football brushed the outside of the left goal post and went out of the bottom line.

"wowoowowoowoooooo——"

The Manchester City fans who traveled with the team burst into a lingering cry of shock.

If Li Qing's header could go a little further, Manchester City would have lost the ball away from home.

In the past three seasons, Manchester City has not tried to win the game against Liverpool. In the League Cup final last season, they were three goals ahead, but in the end... Li Qing still saved the day.

"What a pity!"

The broadcast screen showed Li Qing who looked a little regretful. He Wei, the commentator of Tianchao Channel 5, changed the subject: "Although Li Qing did not help Liverpool take the lead, his two shots were very close to scoring. It is not difficult to see that his condition is really excellent. If Manchester City's defenders fail to defend Li Qing in the next game, Manchester City will most likely lose the ball first."

Liverpool coach Klopp cursed "damn luck" secretly. Manchester City coach Guardiola excitedly rushed to the edge of the command area and shouted to the players on the field almost crazily: "Focus on the game! Focus on the game! The game is a 90-minute battle. There is no need to be too impatient! Just play according to the tactics formulated before the game, OK, OK?"

After three shots close to scoring in the early stage of the game, it gradually became ordinary. There was no shot that threatened the opponent's goalkeeper. Liverpool's star player Li Qing attracted the attention of many Manchester City defenders, so that it was difficult for him to directly attack with the ball or send a surgical knife-like precise pass.

Manchester City suppressed Liverpool's most threatening attacking point, but because of too many defensive forces, it was difficult to put pressure on Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson on the offensive end.

In a blink of an eye, ten minutes into the first half, the scoreboard still showed 0:0. The fanatical atmosphere over Anfield did not drop because of this. On the contrary, the cheers were higher and higher, constantly encouraging the players on the field.

"aoaooaoaooooooo——"

The goal did not appear. The players on both sides gradually became a little bigger in the fanatical atmosphere of the game, especially Manchester City, which was relatively passive in defense. They kicked down Li Qing and Salah in the process of switching from offense to defense, and De Bruyne received a yellow card first.

However, there was also good news for Manchester City. The fouls were all 30 meters away, which was completely out of Li Qing's range.

Despite this, Manchester City coach Guardiola still paced back and forth in the command area, commanding the players on the field to fight through body movements from time to time, and winning space in some places.

Time passed by second by second, and the score on the scoreboard never changed. He Wei, the commentator of Tianchao Channel 5, said loudly: "If Manchester City wants to get out of Anfield unscathed, they should keep defending Li Qing while threatening Alisson's goal. The attack should be more decisive."

"Guardiola seems to have no confidence in Liverpool's loss."

Commentary guest Xu Yang smiled and said: "His team is now focused on defense. Aguero, Sterling and Mahrez on the offensive end are isolated and helpless. Van Dijk and Joe Gomez are cooperating more and more perfectly. Basically, when the football reaches them, the ball changes hands. Alisson rarely needs to come forward. If the offensive level is increased at this time, Alisson's goal guarding will definitely be tested."

As a front midfielder, Li Qing's job is more about transition and ball handling. He did not send out fatal passes or long shots under the attention of the fans in the stadium. He seemed to be an outsider, but fans who know him well know that he is just lurking now!

Once he exerts his strength, he will score a goal!

In the 17th minute, Liverpool had a great chance. Li Qing broke through De Bruyne and David Silva and sent a penetrating straight pass in the middle of the attack. The ball rolled along the ground towards the defensive gap between Laporte and Mendy. Mendy, who was in front of Salah, had no choice but to commit a foul.

"Beep~"

The referee Michael Oliver blew his whistle decisively, indicating that Mendy had committed a foul and gave him a yellow card.

Manchester City coach Guardiola angrily shook his arm, venting his strong dissatisfaction. Before the game, he had told Liverpool countless times not to give them a set-piece opportunity within 30 meters.

Although Li Qing's pass was very imaginative, the player's concentration was not particularly high after all. He did not cut off the passing line between Li Qing and Salah. In the final analysis, the defensive player was distracted.

Mendy, who committed the foul, was also helpless, spreading his hands. Who would have thought that Li Qing would suddenly pass the ball when no one expected it?

The broadcast screen gave a meaningful close-up shot of Li Qing's face. He Wei, the commentator of Tianchao Channel 5, smiled and said, "The on-site director obviously knows football. Li Qing created a world record of four free kicks in the last round against Tottenham Hotspur. I didn't expect Manchester City to dare to commit a foul in the 30-meter area. This... is no different from giving away a penalty."

"It's an exaggeration to say that it's a penalty. Mendy had no choice but to foul. If he let Salah go, he would most likely lose the ball. Now using a foul to prevent Liverpool from scoring a goal is a good deal."

Commentary guest Xu Yang changed the subject: "But as we all know, Li Qing's direct free kick ability is super strong. If he finally scores, then Mendy's yellow card can only delay his death..."

"aooaoaooaooaooaoooooo——"

The huge cheers of Liverpool fans like a tsunami rang out over Anfield.

In the fanatical atmosphere, head coach Klopp waved his arms in an incitement, stirring up the excitement of the home fans in the audience. The momentum was so loud that the cheers from Anfield could be heard in the city center.

The broadcaster gave Mendy the direct distance from the goal to the foul - 26 meters.

Goalkeeper Ederson was very depressed. Before the game, he was most worried about his teammates digging a pit...

"Beep~"

The whistle sounded, and Li Qing started to run up. The fanatical atmosphere of Anfield Stadium dropped significantly, as if they were afraid that any sound would affect Li Qing's super performance.

The foul site was less than 30 meters away from the goal. Li Qing took a small three-step run-up. The first two steps were very short, and the last step was only about 80 centimeters away. The right foot supported the ball, and the left foot hit the left side of the football like a whip.

The football rose up from the ground with a clear arc, like a rainbow across the sky. None of the Manchester City players who jumped up could hit the football. Goalkeeper Ederson, standing in the far corner, quickly moved to the near post, stepped out with his left foot, and rushed out like a spring that was squeezed to the extreme.

"Oops!"

Ederson stretched his body to the extreme but still didn't touch the football, his eyes were full of despair.

In a flash, a muffled "bang" sound came spontaneously, resounding throughout Anfield Stadium.

"Oh-My-God!"

Sky TV commentator Andy Gray exclaimed: "It didn't go in! The Anfield goalpost prevented Lee from scoring his fifth consecutive direct free kick in the league!"