Chapter Summaries

Yang Yang challenged Liverpool’s designated free-kick takers and showed how much he had improved by scoring from a difficult position. The chapter left his teammates and Benitez stunned by his first attempt.

• Carragher organized bets on the free-kick contest, while Mascherano and Kuyt backed Yang Yang.
• Benitez and the coaching staff came over to watch Yang Yang compete against Gerrard, Aurélio, and Xabi Alonso.
• Gerrard, Aurélio, and Xabi Alonso each took three free kicks without scoring.
• Yang Yang studied Reina and the wall before taking his turn from the far-left position.
• Yang Yang curled the ball toward the far post, where it dipped past Reina and into the net.

Yang Yang won Liverpool’s free-kick contest after months of practice and impressed his teammates with his consistency and attempts to use both feet. With the full squad reunited, Liverpool prepared for the new season, and Yang Yang publicly set his sights on helping the club win the league while improving on his personal goal tally.

• Yang Yang outperformed Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, and Aurélio in a five-position free-kick contest, scoring three times and creating the most threats.
• Gerrard and Xabi Alonso asked Yang Yang how he had improved, and he explained that he had studied videos and practiced for two months.
• Benitez began Liverpool’s final preparations for the season, with an away match against Aston Villa opening their campaign.
• Manchester United defeated Chelsea on penalties to win the Community Shield, prompting media discussion of the so-called Community Shield curse.
• Yang Yang told Liverpool’s official website that the team aimed to win the league and that he hoped to score more than thirty Premier League goals.

Yang Yang made his first appearance of the new season as Liverpool faced Aston Villa, creating several chances but failing to score. Liverpool won 2–1 through goals from Kuyt and Gerrard, while Yang Yang left concerned about Finnan’s struggles on the right flank.

• Benitez started Yang Yang in Liverpool’s strongest lineup against Aston Villa at Villa Park.
• Yang Yang missed two early chances, then forced Taylor into a save that Kuyt turned into the opening goal.
• After halftime, Yang Yang continued to threaten but was unable to score before Benitez substituted him in the eightieth minute.
• Aston Villa targeted Liverpool’s right flank, and Barry equalized from a penalty after Carragher was penalized for handball.
• Gerrard scored the winning free kick and celebrated by thanking Yang Yang for reminding him to practice his free kicks.
• Liverpool won 2–1, and Yang Yang received praise for his performance despite feeling disappointed that he had not scored.

Liverpool struggled to break down West Ham United despite controlling the match, so Benitez sent Yang Yang on as a substitute. Yang Yang quickly created a dangerous breakthrough, leaving him one-on-one with goalkeeper Green as the chapter ended.

• West Ham United started aggressively, but Reina caught Noble's shot and Liverpool gradually took control of the match.
• Liverpool created chances without scoring, and the first half ended 0–0 as fans called for Yang Yang.
• Benitez sent Yang Yang on for Voronin in the fifty-ninth minute after supporters' calls grew louder.
• Yang Yang nearly reached Benayoun's overhit pass, then controlled Benayoun's chipped ball past Upson and raced through one-on-one against Green.

Yang Yang came on as a substitute against West Ham United and scored a hat-trick in half an hour, turning Liverpool’s attack into a rout. Liverpool left the match with a commanding lead, while Yang Yang’s performance strengthened his pursuit of the season’s highest honors.

• Yang Yang came on as a substitute and scored Liverpool’s opening goal with a deft touch and a right-footed shot past Robert Green.
• Yang Yang created further chances, then headed in Riise’s cross to give Liverpool a 2–0 lead.
• Benitez brought Gerrard on for Xabi Alonso as Liverpool continued attacking and West Ham United made defensive substitutions.
• Yang Yang broke free of Upson’s grip and volleyed Pennant’s cross into the upper-right corner to complete his hat-trick.
• Yang Yang celebrated in front of the KOP stand as commentators praised his form and called him a European Heavenly King Superstar.

Yang Yang came off the bench against West Ham United and scored a hat-trick in thirty minutes, helping Liverpool win 4–0 and move to the top of the Premier League after two rounds. The chapter ended with newspapers, West Ham coach Kubischlie, and commentator Andy Gray praising Yang Yang as an unstoppable forward.

• Yang Yang replaced Voronin against West Ham United and scored soon after coming on, giving Liverpool the lead.
• Yang Yang scored twice more, completing the Premier League season's first hat-trick, and Gerrard scored shortly afterward as Liverpool won 4–0.
• The Telegraph reported that Liverpool had reached the top of the league, while Yang Yang led the scoring charts after two rounds.
• The Guardian praised Yang Yang's speed, finishing, and improved physical strength, and quoted Kubischlie calling him a nightmare for defenders.
• Andy Gray described Yang Yang as an unstoppable Liverpool killer who could become one of the Premier League's most fearsome forwards.

The chapter focused on Mourinho’s concerns ahead of Chelsea’s decisive match against Liverpool, as injuries weakened his defense and Yang Yang’s form threatened to overwhelm them. Mourinho decided to seek Terry’s return, rely on a team defense against Yang Yang, and push Chelsea to sign Daniel Alves.

• Mourinho dismissed the media’s praise of Liverpool’s two opening wins and recalled how Liverpool had faltered after the same start in a previous season.
• Mourinho learned that Carvalho would miss the match and rejected Boas’s suggestion to trust Alex, deciding that Chelsea needed the injured Terry to play alongside Ben Haim.
• Boas raised the problem of stopping Yang Yang, and Mourinho concluded that Essien could not reliably mark him alone, so Chelsea would have to defend as a team.
• Mourinho chose not to attend the pre-match press conference so Chelsea could remain calm before the match.
• Mourinho urged Chelsea to accelerate their pursuit of Daniel Alves to strengthen the right flank.

Liverpool prepared for their crucial match against Chelsea as FIFA announced its World Footballer of the Year shortlist and bookmakers made Kaka the favorite over Yang Yang. Yang Yang resolved to keep proving himself despite the perceived disadvantage faced by players from footballing minor nations, while Liverpool learned John Terry would play and adjusted its tactics.

• Benitez named Abramovich as Chelsea’s biggest contributor and said Carvalho’s absence improved Liverpool’s chances, while Mourinho skipped Chelsea’s press conference.
• FIFA announced a thirty-player shortlist that included Yang Yang for the third consecutive year and Messi for the first time, while Shevchenko missed out.
• Bookmakers installed Kaka as the favorite for World Footballer of the Year, ahead of Yang Yang, prompting Liverpool’s players to debate the odds at breakfast.
• Gerrard reassured Yang Yang, who said he would focus on performing well and leave the award’s outcome to fate.
• Liverpool’s coaching staff learned John Terry would start despite his injury, adjusted the attack, and kept Yang Yang, Crouch, and Kuyt as the forward line.

Yang Yang felt the weight of Chinese fans’ support and resolved to answer those who underestimated him with his performances. Before Liverpool’s match against Chelsea at Anfield, Benitez explained how to exploit Chelsea’s slow center-backs and instructed the team to press and attack at a high tempo; the teams then emerged to a roaring crowd as the battle began.

• Yang Yang saw Chinese students at Liverpool University raise the Five-Starred Red Flag and drew strength from their support, resolving to prove himself through his play.
• Benitez identified Chelsea’s center-backs as vulnerable to speed, especially with Carvalho injured and Ben Haim and Terry slow to turn and recover.
• Benitez warned Liverpool that Mourinho would defend cautiously and counterattack through the wings, and he ordered the team to raise the tempo and draw Chelsea forward.
• Benitez told Yang Yang to remain patient when Essien pushed forward and set out Liverpool’s plan to attack down both wings with Crouch up front and Kuyt pinning Ashley Cole.
• Rob Styles led Liverpool and Chelsea onto the pitch at Anfield, where the home crowd roared and the match was about to begin.

Liverpool pressed Chelsea early before Benitez shifted their attack toward the middle and the space behind the defense. Crouch’s flick sent Yang Yang through to score, giving Liverpool a 1–0 lead as the match continued.

• Chelsea and Liverpool battled for possession around the halfway line, while Terry repeatedly stopped Liverpool’s early attacks.
• Benitez instructed Liverpool to reduce their wing attacks, draw Chelsea’s defense forward, and look for openings through the middle.
• Xabi Alonso sent a long pass forward, and Crouch flicked it behind Terry for Yang Yang to run onto.
• Yang Yang beat Čech with a feint and guided the ball into the far corner to put Liverpool ahead 1–0.
• Yang Yang celebrated beneath the KOP stand as commentators noted Chelsea’s defensive errors and urged Mourinho to adjust.

Liverpool dominated Chelsea for much of the match, but Lampard equalized from a controversial penalty before referee Rob Styles failed to send off Essien for a second yellow card. The chapter ended with Liverpool preparing to take a dangerous free kick near Chelsea’s penalty area.

• Mourinho made two halftime substitutions, changing Chelsea to a 5-3-2 and sending Pizarro into attack, and Chelsea created two early chances.
• Liverpool weathered Chelsea’s opening assault and pressed hard, but Chelsea’s deep defense held firm.
• Malouda fell in the penalty area after contact with Finnan, and Styles awarded Chelsea a penalty that Lampard converted to make it 1–1.
• Benitez brought on Pennant as Liverpool intensified their attack, and Yang Yang was fouled by Ben Haim near the penalty area.
• Terry and Essien confronted Liverpool’s players after the foul, and Styles booked both of them without sending off Essien, who had already received a yellow card.
• Gerrard protested the missed red card as Anfield booed, while Liverpool prepared to take the resulting free kick.

Yang Yang took a free kick for Liverpool against Chelsea and sent a sharply dipping shot toward goal. Čech committed to his save, but the ball dropped beneath his hand, leaving him facing the free-kick technique he remembered as a “smile from the Grim Reaper.”

• Gerrard suggested that Yang Yang take the free kick, and his teammates encouraged him to try.
• Gerrard and the Liverpool attackers misled Chelsea’s wall and defenders, while Čech remained alert to Yang Yang as the taker.
• Yang Yang struck a curving, dipping free kick toward the far post.
• Čech dived right, but the ball suddenly dropped beneath his hand as he remembered Juninho’s infamous dipping shot.

Yang Yang scored a direct free kick to give Liverpool a 2–1 win over Chelsea, leaving Mourinho reflecting on his troubles at the club. After the match, Mourinho praised Yang Yang and said he hoped they would work together someday.

• Yang Yang scored his first professional direct free kick, putting Liverpool ahead 2–1 and completing his brace.
• Mourinho watched from the Chelsea bench and wondered whether he or the world had gone crazy as he considered the club’s problems and his loss of influence.
• Liverpool controlled the final twenty minutes, and the match ended 2–1; Mourinho comforted his players after the final whistle.
• Mourinho told Yang Yang he had underestimated him and believed he could become even better, then said he hoped they would work together someday.

After Liverpool beat Chelsea 2–1, British and European media praised Yang Yang’s decisive form, while managers and players argued over the officiating and Mourinho’s comments exposed tensions with Chelsea’s management. The refereeing committee admitted Styles had wrongly awarded Chelsea a penalty and said he would face disciplinary action, but the result stood.

• The Sun and Sky TV gave Yang Yang top ratings, praising his goals, free kick, and role in Liverpool’s three consecutive wins.
• Benitez criticized Styles’s penalty decision and praised Yang Yang, while Gerrard also condemned the officiating and explained that an injured foot had led him to let Yang Yang take the free kick.
• Mourinho defended Styles’s decision, accused Liverpool’s Spanish players of diving, and used an omelet metaphor to criticize Chelsea’s management for failing to provide the players he wanted.
• The refereeing committee said Styles had wrongly awarded Chelsea a penalty after reviewing the footage, but upheld the match result and announced disciplinary action and an apology to Liverpool.

Fleet Street newspaper leaders discussed Yang Yang’s prominence in the Premier League and the campaign by Italian media to promote Kaka for the World Footballer of the Year award. They agreed to coordinate their coverage in support of Yang Yang, while watching for rival campaigns from Italy and Catalonia.

• Editors from major British newspapers gathered near Canary Wharf and joked about The Sun’s favorable coverage of Liverpool players.
• Henry Winter argued that Yang Yang was the Premier League’s most influential star and that the league had never produced a World Footballer of the Year.
• Henry Winter said Italian media were united behind Kaka, prompting the editors to compare Kaka’s record with Yang Yang’s and discuss the award’s voting influences.
• Evans said Liverpool would fully support Yang Yang’s bid for the award.
• The editors agreed to maintain their internal rivalries but share the goal of promoting Yang Yang, and they identified Catalan media’s support for Messi as another campaign to monitor.

Liverpool beat Sunderland 2–0 to win their first four league matches, but injuries to Hyypiä and Carragher left the team concerned. In Monaco, Raiola told Yang Yang that Kaka was gaining ground in the awards campaign and urged him to keep performing as the race continued.

• Yang Yang pressed Sunderland early and created chances, but Hyypiä was injured and replaced by Daniel Agger after a suspected nose fracture.
• Yang Yang set up Mohamed Sissoko for the opening goal, and Sissoko celebrated what the chapter framed as a challenge to Mascherano.
• Yang Yang scored Liverpool’s second after the break and was replaced by Kuyt, while Carragher later injured himself in a collision with Reina.
• Liverpool secured a 2–0 win, their fourth straight league victory, but post-match diagnoses confirmed Hyypiä’s fractured nose and Carragher’s more serious injuries.
• Raiola met Yang Yang in Monaco and said UEFA had moved Kaka into the midfielder category, leaving Yang Yang the Best Forward award while the Best Player result remained uncertain.
• Raiola said British media and Liverpool figures were supporting Yang Yang’s bids for major individual awards, and Yang Yang resolved to focus on scoring and keeping Liverpool unbeaten.

Liverpool's players attended the UEFA Champions League draw and awards ceremony in Monaco, where several players received individual honors and the group draw gave the defending champions a favorable set of opponents. UEFA President Platini then began to introduce the Best Player award, leaving the contest between Yang and Kaka unresolved.

• Liverpool's shortlisted players met Kaka, Maldini, Pirlo, Drogba, Čech, and other stars before the ceremony began.
• Čech won Best Goalkeeper, Maldini won Best Defender, and Kaka won Best Midfielder as Liverpool was placed in Pot One.
• Liverpool drew Porto, Marseille, and Besiktas, and Gerrard told Yang that the group was settled.
• Liverpool's Premier League rivals drew challenging opponents, while Platini praised Yang and Kaka before preparing to announce the Best Player winner.

Yang Yang won UEFA’s top award at the Grimaldi Forum, defeating Kaka after a successful Champions League season. He celebrated with his teammates, thanked those who supported him, and looked ahead to Liverpool’s campaign and future awards.

• Yang Yang and Kaka exchanged confident smiles as Platini prepared to announce the award winner.
• Platini named Yang Yang, who celebrated and embraced Kaka before accepting congratulations from his teammates, Benitez, and Ari Van Eeden.
• Yang Yang accepted the trophy, thanked his family, friends, coaches, and teams, and said he hoped to return to the podium many times.
• Yang Yang discussed his Champions League performances in an interview and said Liverpool aimed to finish first in their group and defend their title.
• Yang Yang praised his friendship and rivalry with Kaka and said he was confident about future individual awards while prioritizing trophies with Liverpool.

The European media argued over whether Yang Yang or Kaka deserved the season’s top honors while Liverpool prepared for the European Super Cup against Sevilla. At Stade Louis II, Daniel Alves focused on impressing Chelsea by taking down Yang Yang, and Sevilla started aggressively through Alves’s attacking runs.

• British and Italian media traded arguments over Yang Yang’s and Kaka’s Champions League performances and their chances of winning major awards.
• Spanish media discussed Real Madrid’s decline and Barcelona’s hopes for Messi, who had yet to score or assist that season.
• Daniel Alves expected to join Chelsea before the transfer deadline and planned to prove his worth by outperforming Yang Yang in the Super Cup.
• Sevilla started quickly, with Alves beating Aurélio to cross for an attack that ended in Renato’s off-target volley.
• Liverpool steadied their defense despite missing Carragher, while Alves continued surging forward down Sevilla’s right flank.

Yang Yang scored twice as Liverpool and Sevilla traded goals in the European Super Cup, giving Liverpool a 2–1 lead just before halftime. The chapter ended with Liverpool ahead after Yang Yang beat former Ajax teammate Escudé and struck past Palop.

• Five minutes into the match, Yang Yang finished a quick counterattack with Crouch to put Liverpool ahead 1–0.
• Reina missed a corner, allowing Renato to head Sevilla's equalizer into the goal.
• Reina made another error, but Hyypiä cleared Renato's shot off the line, and Benitez adjusted Liverpool's defense.
• In first-half stoppage time, Gerrard sent Yang Yang through, and Yang Yang feinted past Escudé before scoring to make it 2–1.