CHAPTER 1071: CHAPTER 344: HOW A BAD GUY IS MADE

Coaching Liverpool was actually not as comfortable as his initial experience with Valencia.

Liverpool lacks the sort of aggressive players like Vicente and Gonzalez, leaving his 4-2-3-1 without wings to exploit.

So he could only rely on the center.

Xabi Alonso was the organizational core, Gerrard was the attacking core, Mascherano was responsible for midfield sweeping, and the defense line was pushed forward to reduce the distance between the midfield and backfield—this was Liverpool’s foundation.

But Alonso’s departure turned Liverpool into a team of Gerrard and Pato.

Without an organizational core, Liverpool indeed became significantly weaker than before.

Even if the club promised to provide recruitment funds, he could not find a midfielder on the same level as Alonso, who could organize, defend, and deliver a great long pass.

This was just an objective constraint.

It’s not that he couldn’t beat Chelsea.

When Liverpool began to retract, the match became dull but effectively stifled Chelsea’s attack.

As a master of cup games.

Benitez was particularly adept at playing cup-style matches where outcomes are decided in one or two games.

He treated today’s match as a cup game, seeing Chelsea as a cup opponent, and soon had a new perspective to approach this game.

As time passed, he brought Gerrard to the sidelines during a dead-ball opportunity.

"Coach."

Gerrard said.

"It’s almost time, next we look for a chance to counterattack and score a goal."

Benitez said: "I don’t know why Carvalho is not playing, but that Brazilian (Alex) is Chelsea’s weakness. Today, you need to exploit his side, look for opportunities to break through Chelsea’s goal."

"I got it, coach, but what about Kevin?"

Gerrard asked.

If Liverpool scores one goal, Chelsea will score three.

Then it might be better not to press forward and just counterattack.

"Let Dirk defend, switch the wings to the center, they don’t need to be pivots, as long as they can facilitate attacks that’s enough."

Benitez rubbed his forehead and said.

Gerrard nodded, returned to the field, and once again conveyed Benitez’s tactical arrangements.

Even though the two had conflicts.

When the team’s performance was poor, external pressure indeed dissolved the tension between them.

After all, both of them hoped Liverpool could achieve good results.

Ashley Cole threw out the ball from the sidelines, De Jong immediately charged up to press Huntelaar.

Huntelaar opted again to pass back to Huang Kaiwen, only to be intercepted by Mascherano.

"This time Huntelaar’s passing intention was too obvious."

"Yes, it feels like his decision-making while handling the ball was not good, overly reliant on Huang Kaiwen, this predictable way of handling the ball easily allows opponents to see through it. This interception was a typical example."

"Kuyt didn’t join the counterattack, he’s at odds with Huang Kaiwen again."

"Right, Benitez must have realized it’s not working without anyone specifically marking Huang Kaiwen, so he let Benayoun defend, but Benayoun couldn’t do it, so had to let Kuyt on the wing. Actually, when setting up the lineup today, there was a bit of an issue. Ngog is sitting on the bench, he could go to the center as a pivot, and Kuyt on the wing marking Huang Kaiwen would be better."

"The ball reached the front, passed to Gerrard’s feet, he shot directly!!! Goal! Steven Gerrard’s long shot helped Liverpool pull one back, Gerrard at the critical moment!"

"This is the team’s pillar, Gerrard’s goal was crucial, pressed by Chelsea for almost half the match, finally finding a chance to score, this goal also greatly helps the team’s morale."

"Haha, yes, Chelsea’s defense was intact this time, still couldn’t stop Gerrard’s long-range shot."

Gerrard ran towards the south stand below, raising his arms, his excited teammates ran towards him.

"Steven!"

"Steven!"

"Steven!"

Anfield erupted with excited cheers.

Fans wearing red jerseys displayed fiery passion.

Though celebrating while behind may seem inappropriate.

Gerrard had his own thoughts.

On one hand, celebrating the goal could delay time a bit, aiming to maintain this score until halftime, giving the coach a chance to adjust.

On the other hand, it could also lift the team’s spirits.

Honestly, if quickly resumed play.

Gerrard was a bit worried the next goal might go to Chelsea instead of Liverpool.

As the captain of Liverpool.

He even felt that maintaining this score until the end wasn’t unacceptable.

Losing by one goal looks better than losing several goals.

At some point, facing Huang Kaiwen’s team, Gerrard’s mentality shifted from striving for victory to winning by losing less.

Just losing one goal would be deemed a win.

"Haha, I know you guys are happy with scoring, but the celebration should end."

Referee Mike Riley came to the sidelines and reminded.

Liverpool’s celebration lasted over two minutes.

The fourth official on the sidelines had already raised the added time sign, any further delay, it would directly be halftime.

"Alright, sir."

Gerrard nodded and said.

Walking back with his teammates, Gerrard loudly said: "Now we’re just one goal behind, the period right after scoring is the most dangerous, so let’s stabilize our defense first, find a chance to equalize in the second half."

"You scored, you decide!"

"Listening to you, mate."

The Liverpool players saved face for their captain.

Gerrard’s goal also cleared away the heavy atmosphere earlier.