Chapter Summaries

Yang Yang ended his two-month goal drought with a late winner against Middlesbrough, helping Liverpool return to the top of the Premier League and easing his concerns about his form. As Liverpool prepared to face Inter Milan, Mancini studied the goal and planned a defensive lineup focused on stopping Yang Yang.

• Yang Yang scored a last-gasp winner against Middlesbrough, securing Liverpool three points and sending them back to the top of the league.
• The Liverpool Echo praised Mascherano's role in creating goals and highlighted Liverpool's defensive problems, while Sky Sports and Andy Gray admired Yang Yang's winning finish.
• Yang Yang told The Times that his holiday had helped him relax, but said he was still not satisfied with his condition and planned to rebuild his form gradually.
• Mancini watched highlights of Yang Yang's goal with Fernando Orsi and Furio Salsano and warned that Yang Yang was still short of his best form.
• Mancini decided to use Cordoba instead of Burdisso and add Zanetti to a three-man defensive midfield to strengthen Inter Milan against Yang Yang and Liverpool.

Liverpool traveled to Milan for the Champions League round-of-sixteen first leg against Inter Milan, amid media attempts to provoke Yang Yang and Materazzi. Liverpool prepared without Xabi Alonso, whose newborn son kept him in England, leaving Lucas Leiva to fill the midfield role as the teams took the field.

• Benitez, Gerrard, and Yang Yang described the away match as difficult, while Inter Milan players voiced their determination to win at home.
• Materazzi declared that Yang Yang was not among the world's top attacking players and said Liverpool remained dangerous even without him.
• Yang Yang calmly agreed with Materazzi, praised his Liverpool teammates, and denied the media a chance to stir up trouble.
• Xabi Alonso's wife gave birth to their son Jon, and Alonso stayed in Liverpool on paternity leave, leaving Lucas Leiva to replace him against Inter Milan.
• Television analysts discussed Inter Milan's plan to contain Yang Yang and Liverpool's weakened midfield before both teams emerged from the tunnel to the roar of the crowd.

Liverpool weathered Inter Milan’s early pressure before Yang Yang’s solo attack against two defenders forced the hosts to slow down. Benitez pushed Liverpool’s formation forward, leaving Inter’s attack increasingly ineffective as the match continued.

• Inter Milan attacked aggressively, and Ibrahimovic struck the crossbar while Liverpool struggled to contain the pressure.
• Benitez ordered Liverpool’s midfield to press forward, while Yang Yang stayed up front as Inter committed players to attack.
• Kuyt sent Yang Yang behind Materazzi, and Yang Yang dribbled past Materazzi and Cordoba before forcing Cesar to save his shot.
• After Yang Yang’s chance rattled Inter Milan, Benitez pushed Liverpool’s attack, midfield, and defensive line higher up the pitch.
• Liverpool’s pressing disrupted Inter’s passing through midfield and forced them to rely on long balls toward Ibrahimovic and Cruz.

Liverpool controlled the tempo against Inter Milan and targeted the space left by Maicon’s defending. After Cordoba was injured while stopping Yang Yang and Materazzi was booked for pulling him down, Liverpool continued to threaten down the left as the first half neared its end.

• Liverpool pushed its formation forward, limiting Inter Milan’s attacks and forcing them to rely on long balls.
• In the twenty-eighth minute, Aurélio and Yang Yang combined down the left, but Cordoba blocked Yang Yang’s cross and conceded a corner before going down injured.
• Inter Milan replaced Cordoba with Chivu and moved Materazzi to the right side of defense.
• Benitez instructed Yang Yang to attack Materazzi’s side and Aurélio to support him with forward runs.
• In the forty-second minute, Materazzi pulled Yang Yang down as he chased a second ball and received a yellow card.

Yang Yang scored the only goal as Liverpool beat Inter Milan 1–0 away in the first leg, then Materazzi’s red card helped Inter retreat into a defensive block. After the match, Yang Yang celebrated with his former teammates and planned to visit the injured Cordoba.

• Yang Yang scored in first-half stoppage time after Crouch poked the loose ball his way, and Liverpool’s players celebrated Xabi Alonso’s child’s birth.
• Benitez urged Liverpool to keep attacking Materazzi’s defensive area, and the team continued its high press after halftime.
• Materazzi fouled Crouch and received a second yellow card, leaving Inter Milan with ten men and prompting Mancini to bring on Burdisso and switch to a deep defensive formation.
• Liverpool struggled to break through Inter Milan’s defense but held on to win 1–0, with Yang Yang replaced by Benayoun in the seventieth minute.
• Yang Yang celebrated with Ibrahimovic, Maicon, and Maxwell, then decided to visit Cordoba in the hospital.

Liverpool defeated Inter Milan 1–0 away in the Champions League and then beat Chelsea 1–0 at Stamford Bridge, with Yang Yang scoring in both matches. The chapter ended with Liverpool heading straight to the League Cup final after extending their winning run.

• Yang Yang visited the injured Cordoba in hospital after Liverpool's win over Inter Milan, while Inter Milan confirmed Cordoba would miss the rest of the season and Materazzi would miss the second leg.
• Benitez praised Yang Yang's dangerous first-half runs, and Yang Yang told the Liverpool Echo that Liverpool's victory had come from detailed preparation and the whole team's efforts.
• Liverpool's Premier League rivals Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea all drew their Champions League first-leg matches, leaving Liverpool with the strongest result among the English teams.
• Liverpool controlled much of their away match against Chelsea, and Yang Yang scored from Kuyt's cross in the eighty-fourth minute to secure a 1–0 victory.
• Liverpool left to compete in the League Cup final immediately after beating Chelsea.

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur were tied 1–1 late in the League Cup final when Zokora fouled Yang Yang just outside the penalty area. Yang Yang recovered and prepared to take the resulting free kick, determined to score in front of Zokora.

• Gerrard gave Liverpool the lead after Yang Yang set him up in the first half, but Berbatov equalized from a penalty in the seventieth minute.
• Liverpool pressed for a winner as Tottenham Hotspur defended deep, and Zokora knocked Yang Yang down in the eighty-eighth minute without receiving a second yellow card.
• Mark Waller examined Yang Yang, who soon stood up with Gerrard and Xabi Alonso's help as the stadium applauded.
• Yang Yang claimed the free kick, and Gerrard encouraged him while Xabi Alonso offered to draw the defenders' attention.
• Yang Yang spotted Zokora in Tottenham Hotspur's wall and resolved to score in front of him.

Yang Yang scored a last-minute direct free kick to give Liverpool a 2–1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup final. Liverpool celebrated their first trophy of 2008, while Yang Yang looked ahead to the Premier League and Champions League campaigns.

• Yang Yang scored a direct free kick in the ninetieth minute, putting Liverpool ahead 2–1.
• Yang Yang celebrated with Xavi Alonso and his teammates as Liverpool secured the League Cup title.
• The referee blew the final whistle, and Liverpool celebrated their first League Cup win in five years.
• Yang Yang was named Man of the Match after scoring one goal and assisting another.
• Yang Yang told reporters he believed Liverpool could challenge for the Premier League and Champions League titles.

After Yang Yang helped Liverpool win the League Cup, the team celebrated with fans at Anfield as club leaders promised to pursue more trophies. Before Liverpool hosted Newcastle, a takeover bid from the DIG Consortium faltered, leaving the club’s future uncertain.

• British media praised Yang Yang’s goal and assist in the League Cup final, while Liverpool returned to a jubilant welcome at Anfield.
• Rick Parry, Benitez, and Gerrard promised fans that Liverpool would fight for the league title and give everything in upcoming matches.
• Yang Yang was moved by Liverpool supporters’ passion and resolved to win trophies for the fans who had backed him.
• Before Liverpool’s match against Newcastle, DIG Consortium raised its offer to £400 million, but Hicks refused to sell his stake and the bid stalled.
• Liverpool fans displayed banners demanding that Hicks and Gillett leave as Yang Yang wondered whether the DIG Consortium could be trusted with the club’s future.

Liverpool defeated Newcastle 3–0 as Yang Yang orchestrated all three goals and was named Man of the Match, while Michael Owen struggled and reflected on his decline. The chapter ended with Cristiano Ronaldo moving within one goal of Yang Yang in the scoring race and publicly challenging him for the Premier League Top Scorer title.

• Yang Yang assisted Crouch and Kuyt before combining with Gerrard for a third goal as Liverpool beat Newcastle 3–0.
• Yang Yang was named Man of the Match, and Michael Owen congratulated Liverpool’s players before encouraging Yang Yang.
• Yang Yang watched Owen leave and resolved to plan his own career carefully, valuing Raiola’s guidance.
• Benitez praised Yang Yang’s performance, while Dalglish called him Liverpool’s key hope for a new era and urged the club not to sell him.
• Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice against Bolton to reach twenty-three league goals, one behind Yang Yang, and declared that he would challenge for the scoring crown.
• Ferguson backed Ronaldo as the league’s most dangerous scorer, and bookmakers made the close race between Ronaldo and Yang Yang a major focus.

Yang Yang answered Cristiano Ronaldo’s challenge for the Premier League Top Scorer title and helped Liverpool eliminate Inter Milan from the Champions League. Liverpool then drew Barcelona in the quarterfinals, leaving them with the toughest possible opponent.

• Aurélio and Kuyt discussed Cristiano Ronaldo’s scoring form, while Liverpool’s teammates urged Yang Yang to compete for the Top Scorer title.
• Yang Yang publicly welcomed the contest with Ronaldo and identified Liverpool’s upcoming match against Manchester United as decisive for the league title.
• Liverpool’s 2–0 win over Inter Milan, secured by an own goal forced by Yang Yang and a Gerrard strike, eliminated Inter 3–0 on aggregate.
• The Champions League quarterfinal draw paired Liverpool with Barcelona.

Liverpool drew Barcelona in the Champions League quarterfinals, creating a grueling run of fixtures that raised doubts about the club’s chances in both the league and Europe. Benitez, Rick Parry, Gerrard, Carragher, and Yang Yang debated whether to prioritize one competition, but Yang Yang and the captains backed fighting on both fronts as the chapter left Liverpool facing a risky choice.

• Manchester United’s players celebrated Liverpool’s draw with Barcelona, while Cristiano Ronaldo saw the difficult schedule as a chance to beat Yang Yang in their wager.
• The European football world reacted to Liverpool’s draw, and bookmakers lowered Liverpool’s title chances as the club faced Everton, Barcelona, Arsenal, and Blackburn in quick succession.
• Benitez and the Liverpool leadership met to discuss whether the team should prioritize the league or the Champions League amid the demanding schedule.
• Rick Parry argued that Liverpool should focus on winning the league, while Gerrard said the team should not give up before the battles began.
• Yang Yang proposed trying to build an advantage against Barcelona at home, and Gerrard and Carragher supported continuing to compete on both fronts.

Liverpool continued their Premier League title chase through wins over Reading, Tottenham Hotspur, and Everton, with Yang Yang scoring repeatedly as he pulled ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in the league scoring race. The chapter ended with Liverpool preparing for the Champions League and Arsenal while Ronaldo vowed to become the best player in the world.

• Henry Winter and other commentators argued that Liverpool should prioritize the league over the Champions League, intensifying debate over Benitez's strategy.
• Liverpool came from behind to beat Reading 2–1, as Yang Yang scored and assisted and Mascherano scored his second professional goal.
• Yang Yang scored twice in Liverpool's 2–0 away win over Tottenham Hotspur, while Manchester United beat Wigan Athletic 2–0 and Ronaldo scored his twenty-fifth league goal.
• Liverpool rested several players but beat Everton 1–0 in the Merseyside Derby after Yang Yang scored from Kuyt's cross.
• Manchester United defeated Aston Villa 4–0, with Ronaldo scoring and assisting three times before declaring that he wanted to become the best player in the world.

Barcelona’s internal conflict intensified as Ronaldinho was pushed toward the exit and Rijkaard’s departure was reported, while Messi’s injury kept him out of the Liverpool tie. Jorge explained to Messi that the club’s power struggle had made Ronaldinho a scapegoat, leaving Messi fearful that the same turmoil could eventually reach him.

• Catalan media reported Ronaldinho’s injury and Rijkaard’s impending departure, while rumors blamed Ronaldinho, the club, or his lack of discipline.
• Messi suffered another muscle strain and learned he would miss both Champions League quarterfinal legs against Liverpool.
• Messi told Jorge that Barcelona’s leadership and Cruyff-aligned officials wanted Ronaldinho gone under the [De-Ro Plan].
• Jorge explained that Laporta’s conflict with Rosell had fueled a campaign that isolated Ronaldinho and turned Barcelona’s fans against him.
• Jorge warned Messi that Barcelona’s internal turmoil could claim others and predicted the team would struggle against Premier League opposition.

Liverpool exploited Barcelona’s poor form to dominate the Champions League quarterfinal first leg at Anfield. Yang Yang scored twice in the opening twenty minutes, leaving Liverpool with a 2–0 lead.

• Benitez sent Liverpool out with an attacking lineup and their usual high press against Barcelona.
• Yang Yang noticed Barcelona looked out of rhythm as Liverpool pressed forward from kickoff.
• Yang Yang scored in the eleventh minute after Crouch cushioned Xabi Alonso’s chipped pass into his path.
• Liverpool kept up their attacks, with Valdes saving Xabi Alonso’s long-range shot and Zambrotta and Abidal conceding free kicks.
• Yang Yang headed in Gerrard’s free kick in the twentieth minute to complete his brace and give Liverpool a 2–0 lead.

Liverpool led Barcelona 3–0 when Yang Yang dribbled past six defenders and goalkeeper Valdes to score a remarkable solo goal. His fourth goal left Anfield stunned and Liverpool with an even larger lead.

• Gerrard scored Liverpool’s third goal after Yang Yang crossed the ball toward the edge of the box.
• Yang Yang intercepted the ball after Mascherano dispossessed Eto’o and dribbled past Xavi and Zambrotta.
• Yang Yang broke through Puyol and Yaya Touré before beating Milito with a Pendulum Dribble.
• Yang Yang feinted past Valdes, pushed the ball into the net, and scored Liverpool’s fourth goal.

Yang Yang scored a spectacular goal by dribbling past six Barcelona players, leaving Messi and the Anfield crowd stunned. Liverpool celebrated wildly, and Yang Yang’s teammates chased him after he joked that he had only meant to beat five defenders.

• Messi watched from the stands as Liverpool overwhelmed Barcelona and took a three-goal lead in the first half.
• Yang Yang dribbled past Xavi, Zambrotta, Yaya Touré, Puyol, Milito, and Valdes before scoring near the byline.
• Messi and the crowd sat stunned as commentators hailed Yang Yang’s goal as a historic Champions League moment.
• Gerrard, Reina, and Liverpool’s players piled onto Yang Yang in celebration, then showed him the replay confirming he had beaten six players.
• Yang Yang said he had miscalculated because he had meant to dribble past only five players, prompting his teammates to chase him after Gerrard ordered them to hit him hard.

Liverpool demolished Barcelona 5–0 as Yang Yang scored a hat-trick, including a spectacular goal after dribbling past six players, and Gerrard and Crouch added goals. After learning Liverpool would likely face Manchester United in the semifinals, Cristiano Ronaldo was stunned by Yang Yang’s performance and vowed not to lose again.

• Liverpool controlled the second half, and Crouch scored as the team completed a 5–0 victory over Barcelona.
• Yang Yang’s hat-trick included a goal after he dribbled past six players, prompting the Liverpool crowd and British media to celebrate.
• Manchester United beat Roma 2–0, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring his seventh Champions League goal of the season.
• Queiroz told the Manchester United players that Liverpool had crushed Barcelona 5–0 and that Yang Yang had scored a hat-trick and assisted Gerrard.
• Cristiano Ronaldo heard about Yang Yang’s six-player dribble, realized the gap between them had widened, and resolved not to lose again.

After Liverpool’s 5–0 win over Barcelona, media outlets praised Yang Yang’s hat-trick and celebrated his solo goal past six players. Sky Sports compared the goal with classic runs by Maradona and Messi, sparking a fierce exchange between British and Catalan media.

• The Guardian praised Liverpool’s performance and Yang Yang’s goals and assist, while blaming Barcelona’s disunity and poor defending for the rout.
• El País described the defeat as the collapse of Rijkaard’s Dream Team II and argued that Mourinho’s style would clash with Barcelona’s traditions.
• Sky Sports invited former stars to compare Yang Yang’s run past six players with Maradona’s and Messi’s goals, judging Yang Yang’s and Maradona’s the more spectacular and significant.
• Catalan media challenged claims about Yang Yang’s goal, and British media retorted that Messi should dribble past six players to match it.

Transfer rumors linking Yang Yang to Barcelona intensified amid Liverpool’s financial troubles, though Liverpool’s management denied plans to sell him and Yang Yang kept his options open. Liverpool then beat Arsenal 1–0 away to remain top of the Premier League.

• After Liverpool’s 5–0 win over Barcelona, reports said Mourinho wanted Yang Yang as Barcelona’s top transfer target and the club might offer a record €80 million.
• Benitez said Yang Yang was not for sale, while Rick Parry denied receiving offers; Liverpool fans feared the indebted owners would sell him.
• Yang Yang told The Times he would consider his future after the season, then assured his teammates he had no current plans to leave and would decide for himself.
• Wenger rested Arsenal’s key players ahead of their Champions League second leg against Schalke 04, while Liverpool fielded its strongest lineup.
• Crouch scored from a Reina long ball after combining with Yang Yang, giving Liverpool a 1–0 away win over Arsenal and keeping them atop the table.
• Manchester United beat Middlesbrough 3–2, with Little Ronaldo scoring twice to move within one goal of Yang Yang.