Pellegrini Tried to Use Maradona's Move on Me? Tang Long Saw Right Through It and Made His Move!
Anfield Stadium, Sky Sport studio.
When Gerrard saw the picture of him holding his daughter in the players' tunnel, touching the Liverpool crest with his left hand, he was overwhelmed with emotion, and his eyes welled up with tears.
"Ah, to be honest, even though I've retired, every time I see this picture, my deep love for this club always wells up inside me. And don't laugh at me, just yesterday I dreamt that I was running on Anfield Stadium and even scored two goals!"
After saying that, Gerrard rubbed his eyes with a smile.
Gary Neville, a Manchester United legend who played for the Manchester United for 19 years and made 602 appearances, handed Gerrard a tissue.
"Stefan, I really feel sorry for you," Neville said indignantly. "If it weren't for that UEFA Europa League match where Don, who was playing for Inter Milan at the time, injured your ankle, I think you would have played for Liverpool for at least another season instead of retiring so abruptly!"
Carragher, who played for Liverpool for 17 years and made 737 appearances, also felt indignant on behalf of Gerrard.
"Stefan has only made about 20 fewer appearances for Liverpool than me. If it weren't for Don's malicious foul, Gerrard would definitely have surpassed me and become the second most capped player in Liverpool's history if he had played another season. I can say that without a doubt!"
After hearing these two absolute titans of England football both criticize Tang Long, Gerrard quickly waved his hand and explained:
"That's not how it works. Let me explain. I already had an ankle injury, and it was just a normal diagonal shot. Any player would have done that. Besides, I feel my body can't support Liverpool for another season. Retiring and leaving the future of Liverpool's midfield to the younger generation of 90s players like Henderson has always been my idea."
Carragher snorted and said, "I thought people were always so magnanimous, but if you ask me, Manchester City is no good. These Middle Eastern oil tycoons think they can do whatever they want just by waving their checks. Although I'm a true Liverpool native, I'd much rather Manchester United win the title than Manchester City!"
"Haha, I second that!" The man on the other end laughed and turned around to give Carragher a big high five.
At this moment, the on-site director reminded them that the match was about to begin, and the three of them ended their casual conversation, sat up straight, and quickly got into work mode.
"Good evening, viewers. Welcome to Sky Sport for the live broadcast of the 6th round of the 2015-2016 England Premier League season Liverpool hosting Manchester City. This match will be commentated by Neville, Carragher, and Gerrard."
"Now I'll quickly introduce the starting lineups for both sides..."
Home team Liverpool: 4321
Firmino
Milner / Coutinho / Lallana
Lukas / Henderson
Moreno / Lovren / Skrtel / Clyne
Mignolet
Away team Manchester City: 4231
Iheanacho
Sterling / Tang Long / Navas
Fernando / Yaya Toure
Klich/ Ranocchia / Demichelis / Sagna
Caballero
Seeing Manchester City's starting lineup, Carragher smiled inwardly, thinking that defeating their opponent in this match would be a piece of cake.
"It seems that Manchester City captain Kompany's minor thigh strain during training the day before yesterday was not a smokescreen. Demichelis replaced Kompany in the starting center-back position for this match," Carragher said.
Gerrard said, "Demichelis and I are the same age, we're both 35... It remains to be seen whether he can adapt to the high intensity of the Premier League."
"Liverpool's squad is relatively complete; at least in terms of personnel, Liverpool still has a certain advantage."
Perhaps realizing he was also leaning towards Liverpool, Gerrard quickly added:
"However, although Manchester City is short-handed, we cannot overlook their number 9, Don!"
"I experienced his prowess firsthand when we played against Inter Milan in the UEFA Europa League last season. He is an exceptional player, under 20 years old, but his understanding of the game, especially his anticipation of the next move, is sometimes even better than mine."
"His performance since moving from Serie A to the Premier League has proven why Manchester City spent over 70 million euros to buy him from Inter Milan."
Gerrard spoke in a very tactful and polite manner.
This is also related to his kind and generous personality.
Gary Neville, whose commentary style is always sharp and sarcastic, chuckled.
"I've noticed that neither of you has hit the nail on the head. Neither Kompany nor Tang can be the key player in deciding the outcome of this match."
"Manchester City's key to scoring lies with Agüero! Their key to not conceding lies with Joe Hart! With both of them sidelined at the start and end of the game, Manchester City will likely struggle to withstand Liverpool's relentless attacks at Anfield!"
"As for Tang, to say something Manchester City fans won't like to hear, without a striker to partner with him, he'll just be sitting on the pitch in jail."
At that moment, the director's voice came through Neville's headset.
"Let's create some entertainment! You three, predict the score!"
Neville first shared his predictions with the two men.
He said Liverpool would thrash Manchester City 3-0 at home and secure three points cleanly.
Liverpool legend Carragher laughed. He immediately agreed, believing that Liverpool should have little trouble beating a depleted Manchester City at home, although a three-goal margin seemed a bit excessive.
"I predict Liverpool will win 2-0!"
Gerrard's prediction was relatively conservative, stating a score of 2-1.
Upon hearing this, Gerrard's two commentary partners exchanged a knowing smile.
"Stefan, you're overestimating Manchester City's strikers. You know, last round they barely managed to score a goal at home against Southampton. Do you think they can break through at Anfield? I don't believe it!"
"Look at their starting striker, it's Iheanacho, who was still in the youth team last season. He's probably not even as good as Bony missed three one-on-one chances last round!"
He watched as Neville and Carragher laughed dismissively.
Gerrard simply nodded slightly, offering no comment.
He is the only one among the three in the studio who has actually faced Tang Long on the court.
This Liverpool legend has truly experienced Tang Long's prowess firsthand.
After that UEFA Europa League against Inter Milan, Gerrard was convinced that Inter Milan would not be able to retain this young player after the end of this season!
As expected, Manchester City used a record-breaking cheque to bring him to the Premier League, a bigger and more dazzling stage.
Liverpool's bottom line this season is to secure UEFA Champions League spot for next season. However, with the arrival of international powerhouse Milner, their midfield depth has been greatly enhanced, and some within the club have already made bold statements, declaring that they will compete with Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United for the Premier League title this season.
Gerrard certainly hopes Liverpool can thrash their opponents at home, and the absence of Agüero and Joe Hart has boosted his confidence.
However, whether it's Hart or Agüero —two old rivals whom Gerrard has faced countless times in the Premier League—he believes that neither of them poses a threat to their opponents as much as Tang Long!
Gerrard, however, harbored a vague and unspoken expectation:
"It would be even better if Tang were the one suspended..."
In this match, Manchester City used their usual 4-2-3-1 formation, and Tang Long remained in the starting attacking midfield position.
During pre-match training, Tang Long proactively suggested to head coach Pellegrini that he could move up to the forward line.
"Boss, I have some experience playing as a striker temporarily at Inter Milan, and it worked pretty well. Do you want to give it a try?"
Tang Long had played a few games as a striker for Inter Milan. Pellegrini had noticed this detail when he was scouting Tang Long in the transfer market and had discussed it with COO Begiristain.
However, Pellegrini rejected Tang Long's proposal without hesitation.
He was pleased that Tang Long was trying out a new position, but then explained to Tang Long that the Premier League was not the same as Serie A.
The pace of Serie A matches is slower, and the players follow the tactics set by the head coach step by step. The physical confrontation between players is not very intense. If you play as a striker at Inter Milan, you have plenty of time to think and anticipate after receiving the ball.
However, the Premier League is a fast-paced and highly physical league, far surpassing Serie A in both the speed of play and the physical strength of its players!
He even brought up Tang Long's previous back injury while playing as an attacking midfielder to prove to him that he should just play attacking midfielder and that Tang Long's physique was not strong enough for the striker position. He suggested that the stronger Iheanacho should take over.
Due to the shaky defense and Agüero's suspension, Pellegrini adopted a defensive strategy at Liverpool's home ground.
They are not without resources or Liverpool's possession.
However, without Agüero's presence and movement in the attacking third, Pellegrini's confidence in the team's passing and control was clearly diminished.
He believes that since Iheanacho can't fill Agüero's role, we should just play a more relaxed style and let him cross from the wing.
Iheanacho's physical strength is an advantage, and perhaps in the midst of a chaotic battle, the young player can launch some unexpected attacks on Liverpool's defense.
Pellegrini's goal for this match is simply to secure a draw.
He believes that as long as Manchester City can weather this difficult period, they will definitely make a strong comeback once Agüero returns.
In the few matches without Agüero, it's best to play it safe against strong opponents like Liverpool!
As a result, Liverpool, playing at home, took the initiative from the start and quickly gained possession of the ball.
25-year-old Henderson, a player from the middle generation, has inherited Gerrard's mantle in midfield.
The 1.87-meter-tall, 80-kilogram England midfielder not only shares a similar physique with Gerrard, but also a similar playing style.
He frequently used long passes from his defensive midfield position, flicking the ball back and forth between the two flanks.
"Clyne, your location!"
Henderson delivered a precise long pass, finding right-back Clyne making a high-speed run down the right flank from the edge of the penalty area.
This long pass instantly widened the pitch, drawing applause from Gerrard in the studio!
After controlling the ball, Clyne faced Sagna, a left- Sagna with extensive defensive experience.
Clyne wasn't sure if he could get past Sagna, and hesitated for a moment. Just as he was about to muster the courage to drive hard, he heard Henderson shout, "Don't rush, watch me!"
He immediately passed the ball sideways to Henderson, who had made a run into the box.
Henderson made a long pass from the edge of the penalty area to Clyne made a run into the box and received the pass back. It only took seven or eight seconds, but it covered the entire half of the field!
Such formidable running ability made Tang Long, who was marking him in the attacking midfield position, extremely cautious. He chased after Tang Long all the way back to his own penalty area.
Henderson looked up to receive the ball and broke through the defense, and Tang Long and Henderson engaged in a one-on-one duel!
"Henderson, get past him! Get past this China guy!" Carragher shouted.
"A powerful run! Tang's physique definitely can't withstand Henderson's!" Neville was also cheering for Liverpool.
Gerrard stared intently at Henderson, saying nothing. He wanted to see if his junior midfielder's dribbling skills had improved after a summer training camp and five rounds of the league.
Perhaps it was because it was just the beginning of the game, or perhaps it was because he was facing off against the opponent's key player, Tang Long, Henderson was in a very positive mood. He wanted to warm up his game and also wanted to have a match with Tang Long.
As Henderson dribbled closer to Tang Long, about 1.5 meters away, he first stepped to the right with his right foot, then lifted his right foot again and took a high diagonal step in the opposite direction, crossing his right foot over the ball to the left.
This crossover move is Maradona's signature technique, which he frequently used.
The only difference is that Maradona is used to using his left foot, while Henderson used his right foot this time.
However, Tang Long saw through Henderson's intentions at a glance.
With the continuous advancement of AI training, Tang Long's match rate with Maradona's ball control has reached 71%.
He was all too familiar with Henderson's feint, which mimicked Maradona's move.
Compared to the Argentina football legend who used this move with unparalleled skill, Henderson's movements appeared somewhat clumsy.
Perhaps due to his tall stature, Henderson's center of gravity is too high. His step-back feints, whether in terms of step frequency, body swing, or the deceptiveness and suddenness of the movements, are far inferior to those of the King of Football. Instead, they have a stiff feeling of feinting for the sake of feinting, and he tries to imitate a tiger but ends up with a dog.
As soon as Gerrard made that step, he saw that Tang Long hadn't been faked out, and immediately felt that the outcome was not good.
As expected, Tang Long, without making any move, took advantage of the opening revealed by Henderson's step, quickly pulled out his toe, and poked the ball hard, knocking Henderson to the ground with the ball!