Fabregas seemed to see the confusion in Li Yufei's heart and took the initiative to explain:
"Our matches against Liverpool have always been like this. They always come out fighting fiercely."
"But don't worry. Liverpool can't keep playing this way for long. Their players usually run low on stamina by the second half."
"Then we can step up the pressure and finish the match."
"We just have to hold on through this stretch, and everything will be fine."
After hearing Fabregas's explanation, Li Yufei's eyes lit up.
He had to admit, that made sense!
Liverpool's style of play had always been like this—like a stubborn young bull, charging wildly as long as they still had the energy.
That style could be very effective against teams that relied on technical skill.
After all, using frequent physical challenges to disrupt a technical team's rhythm and force them into a physical battle with Liverpool was a brilliant tactic!
The 25th minute.
After enduring Liverpool's rabid opening twenty minutes, Arsenal finally began to take control of the match as Liverpool's players started to tire.
After several exchanges of possession in midfield, Wilshere suddenly played a through ball to Sagna, who had pushed up on the right.
Sagna collected the ball and carried it toward the byline. Then he made room and crossed toward Arshavin and Chamakh in the middle.
Unfortunately, Skrtel cleared the ball.
But as soon as it was cleared, Nasri met it with a volley.
The ball sailed just over the crossbar and into the stands.
Nasri's shot nearly gave Liverpool goalkeeper Reina a heart attack.
Watching from the bench, Li Yufei also got excited when he saw Nasri's shot.
If he remembered correctly, this was the season Nasri became Arsenal's main man.
He had even been named the 2010 France Football Player of the Year for his outstanding performances.
Although Nasri would transfer to Manchester City the following year after they came calling with their money, he was in outstanding form this season!
Thinking about it, Li Yufei wondered if he could convince his father to offer Nasri a lucrative contract extension.
After all, if they could keep a midfielder in his prime at Arsenal, why let him go to Manchester City?
Li Yufei clearly remembered that Nasri helped Manchester City win the first Premier League title in the club's history in his very first year there.
How could he let such a powerful ally strengthen a rival?
The 38th minute.
Nasri got another chance. Arshavin sent a cross toward him from the edge of the penalty area.
Nasri received it, made several feints, got past Carragher, and took another shot.
The ball struck the right post and went out over the byline.
Nasri threw his head back with a sigh. What a shame.
The 41st minute.
Wilshere brought Joe Cole down with a sliding tackle as the two battled for the ball.
The referee quickly showed him a yellow card.
But Wilshere's foul had infuriated Joe Cole.
Three minutes later, in the 44th minute, Joe Cole went in from behind with a kick that was almost like a flying kick the instant Wilshere received the ball.
The move instantly set off the whole stadium, and Liverpool and Arsenal players crowded together.
The referee frantically blew his whistle and hurriedly pushed everyone apart. Then he showed the instigator, Joe Cole, a red card and sent him off.
Seeing this, Li Yufei felt a weight lift from his shoulders. They had this in the bag!
Liverpool had a player sent off before halftime. How were they supposed to play now?
If Arsenal still couldn't win after this, Li Yufei would be speechless.
The halftime whistle blew, and the Arsenal and Liverpool players headed down the tunnel separately.
On the way back to the dressing rooms, players from both sides continued shoving each other.
If the assistant referees hadn't kept order, the two teams might have started a "match off the pitch" in the tunnel.
Back in the dressing room, Wenger didn't dwell on the mistakes from the first half. Instead, he focused on encouragement.
He also reminded everyone that the opposition were down to ten men and told them to relax. As long as they played normally, they would win comfortably!
The fifteen-minute halftime break passed in the blink of an eye.
The second half began.
Arsenal had originally planned to wear Liverpool down gradually. They now had eleven players against ten.
On top of that, Liverpool's "rabid" style of play was bound to take a toll on their stamina.
Arsenal's original plan was to control the game until the 65th minute.
Then they would step up the pressure and finish the match in the final thirty minutes!
But, as the saying went, plans never kept up with changes!
Who could have expected Arsenal to get caught playing with fire at the back right after the second half began, allowing Liverpool to score a lightning-fast goal?
The 46th minute.
As Diaby passed the ball back, Mascherano suddenly intercepted it. He immediately sent the ball between Arsenal's two defenders, who hadn't had time to close the gap.
N'Gog collected it and faced the onrushing Almunia. This time, he didn't miss, firing a low shot straight into the net.
"GOOOOOOOOOAL!!!"
"Number 24, N'Gog!!!"
"Liverpool were reduced to ten men just before halftime, but they haven't given up."
"Just one minute into the second half, Liverpool capitalized on an Arsenal mistake to strike first!"
"The pressure is on Arsenal now. What adjustments will Arsène make in this situation?"
"Let's wait and see!"
Conceding right after the second half began was clearly not something Wenger had expected.
Although he was taken aback, he pressed both hands down in a gesture that said, "Don't panic. Keep your shape."
Diaby deeply regretted his elementary mistake, and Wilshere quickly tried to console him.
After the restart, Arsenal tried to catch Liverpool off guard while they were still buoyed by their goal.
Maybe they could equalize in a flash!
Unfortunately, Liverpool didn't give them the chance.
After Gerrard's reminder, Liverpool's players didn't let their guard down.
When Arsenal realized they couldn't equalize quickly, they went back to Possession Control, looking to get the tempo under their control.
The 55th minute.
After a string of passes up front, the ball reached Wilshere.
Wilshere took a Long Shot from the edge of the penalty arc, but Reina made a brilliant save!
As time passed, Arsenal's players visibly grew anxious.
At last, Wenger made his first substitution.
Before you continue