He, Too, Could Dominate the Match

The second half began quickly, and cheers once again rang out at Etihad Stadium as the two sides switched ends and resumed battle.

From high above, the stands of the entire Etihad looked like a blue ocean, with only a small patch of red stubbornly swaying amid the waves in one corner.

The score was 2:1, with Manchester City temporarily ahead, but Liverpool had not lost heart.

In the second half, Klopp clearly strengthened the midfield defense, looking to cut off Manchester City's attacks right at their source.

Henderson, Keita, and Rodri no longer each handled their own area as they had in the first half. Instead, they tightened into a compact triangle, blocking Manchester City's passing lanes.

Rodri was the core of that triangle.

Chen Anno also began dropping back frequently, linking up with the iron triangle.

The 48th minute.

De Bruyne received the ball in midfield. He had just looked up toward the attacking third, hoping to find Benjamin Mendy advancing down the flank.

Rodri immediately closed in, while Chen Anno followed at the same time, ready to form a trap.

Rodri did not rush into a tackle. Instead, he used his body to seal off the passing route.

De Bruyne hesitated for a moment.

At that instant, Rodri stuck out his foot.

The ball was poked away cleanly and decisively.

Chen Anno did not stop the ball. Instead, he flicked it with his heel, sending it back in front of Rodri.

Before De Bruyne could counterpress, Rodri sent a diagonal pass straight to the right.

"Beautiful pressing!"

"Look at Salah's pace, toward the far post..."

"Perisic!!"

"It hit the side netting!"

The Blue Moon supporters in the stands broke out in a cold sweat as well.

"Hehe... this is standard Liverpool attacking football. As long as they