Who Can Stop Him?

March 4, the 28th round of the Premier League.

Liverpool comfortably defeated the Black Cats Sunderland 2–0 at home, with Kuyt and Benayoun scoring two goals in the second half.

Yang Yang never took the field during the entire match, instead sitting on the bench. This was not because the Head Coach had frozen him out, but rather because they were considering the several crucial high-profile matches coming up.

Before the match, Benitez had clearly told Yang Yang that they probably would not need him against Sunderland.

And the facts proved that Yang Yang indeed had no need to take the field.

Three days later, in the FA Cup quarterfinal, Liverpool faced Middlesbrough.

Just before the end of the first half, the defense made an uncharacteristic mistake, allowing Middlesbrough to score first.

After the sides switched ends in the second half, Liverpool still showed little improvement.

Benitez began making substitutions in the sixtieth minute, but they still could not produce any threatening attacks.

It was not until the seventieth minute, when Yang Yang came on as a substitute, that the team finally broke the deadlock. First, Yang Yang assisted Gerrard in scoring, and afterward, Yang Yang set up another attack that allowed Gerrard to assist Crouch.

In the end, Liverpool came from behind to defeat Middlesbrough 2–1 and smoothly advanced to the semifinals.

Coincidentally, Chelsea defeated Coventry 2–0, Manchester United crushed Fulham 4–0, and Arsenal defeated Hull City 2–1. The Premier League's Big Four had basically all fielded their strongest lineups, leaving their opponents no chance whatsoever and successfully meeting in the FA Cup semifinals.

After the draw, Liverpool were paired with their old nemeses Manchester United, while Chelsea were drawn against Arsenal in a London derby.

Once the results were announced, the entire British media erupted.

Liverpool