Chapter Summaries

Plot points and events

• Liverpool’s 6–0 away win over Porto virtually guarantees their place in the Champions League quarterfinals. Other English clubs also have promising results: Manchester City win 4–0 away, Chelsea beat Barcelona 2–1, Manchester United draw 0–0 with Sevilla, and Tottenham draw 2–2 with Juventus.
• British media and fans celebrate the Premier League’s strength, predicting that several English clubs—and perhaps the eventual champion—will reach the latter stages.
• Liverpool return to domestic competition in excellent form: they lead the league by seven points after 27 rounds, have gone 67 matches unbeaten, and have won 23 in a row. Chen Anno continues to score or assist nearly every game.
• With an FA Cup match against Southampton approaching and Liverpool well placed in the Champions League, Klopp intends to rotate the squad and carefully manage player fitness.
• Away from football, Chen spends a sunny day at home with his pregnant partner, Nicolas, and Second Aunt. He talks to the unborn baby, jokes about the baby’s kicks, and takes a photo to preserve the moment.

Character developments and interactions

• Chen’s sporting confidence contrasts with his tenderness at home. He eagerly imagines introducing his son to football and taking him to Anfield, but ultimately says he will support the child whatever interests he chooses.
• Nicolas gently teases Chen about his singing and his assumptions about their son, while expressing concern that Chen works too hard. Their affectionate conversation shows their closeness and shared excitement about becoming parents.
• Second Aunt’s cooking and quiet presence help make the home feel warm and secure; she is pleased to see how much happiness the pregnancy has brought.
• Chen values his identity as a husband and future father as much as his fame on the pitch. Nicolas reinforces this by reminding him that at home he is simply their partner and child’s father.

Significant themes

• Footballing dominance and ambition: Liverpool’s exceptional form and the Premier League’s success create confidence about pursuing major honors.
• Family and domestic happiness: The calm family scene offers a contrast to the pressure and spectacle of elite football.
• Unconditional parental love: Chen hopes his son will share his interests but promises to support him regardless.
• Balance and perspective: Trophies and sporting achievements matter, but Chen finds his deepest contentment in family life.

Plot points and events

• Liverpool beat Southampton 3–1 in the FA Cup fifth round despite resting Chen Anno and several other first-choice players. They later drew Championship side Wigan Athletic in the quarterfinals, prompting jokes and accusations that Liverpool had received an unusually easy path.
• On February 24, Liverpool crushed West Ham 6–1. Chen Anno scored five goals, extending his run of league hat tricks to six consecutive matches and surpassing Josef Bican’s record cited in the chapter.
• Liverpool then defeated Newcastle United 3–0, with Chen Anno, Salah, and Mané each scoring.
• Liverpool’s 6–0 first-leg lead over Porto made the Champions League return match seem routine. The chapter ends by building anticipation for Liverpool’s upcoming trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.

Character development and interactions

• Chen Anno’s extraordinary scoring run establishes him as the era’s leading player. His performance draws messages from Neymar, Aubameyang, former teammates Griezmann, Reus, and Hummels, coach Simeone, and stars including Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Mbappé. Their reactions range from disbelief and teasing to admiration.
• Away from football, Chen Anno becomes increasingly focused on fatherhood as Nicolas’s due date approaches. He arranges round-the-clock medical care, spends time with Nicolas, learns newborn care, and asks Klopp to reduce his training commitments. Klopp supports his request.
• The upcoming Manchester United match is framed as a major personal and managerial showdown: Chen Anno versus Cristiano Ronaldo, and Klopp versus Mourinho.

Significant themes

• Dominance and recognition: Chen Anno’s record-breaking form earns him worldwide acclaim.
• Balancing ambition with family: Despite his success on the pitch, Chen Anno’s priorities shift toward preparing for his child.
• Rivalry and anticipation: Liverpool’s progress sets up a high-profile clash with Manchester United.

Plot points and events

• Liverpool and Porto field heavily rotated, reserve-heavy sides in the Champions League round-of-16 return leg. The match ends 0–0, and Liverpool advance 6–0 on aggregate.
• The quarterfinal draw pairs Liverpool with Bayern Munich. The other ties are Chelsea–Manchester City, Manchester United–Roma, and Real Madrid–Juventus.
• The draw brings back memories for Chen Anno: Bayern was the opponent against whom he first made a major impression in Europe with a hat trick.
• Bayern’s players and coach Carlo Ancelotti take Liverpool seriously. Ancelotti urges the squad to prepare, while James Rodriguez privately sees the tie as a chance to prove himself by defeating Anno.
• Liverpool prepare for the Northwest Derby against Manchester United, but Anno leaves training after learning that Nicolas is in labor. At the hospital, he meets his newborn son, Chen Qiaoyi, whom he calls Joy.

Character developments and interactions

• Anno’s memories of past battles establish Bayern as both a familiar rival and a source of confidence. Neuer, Robben, and Muller recall how difficult it has been to face him; Ancelotti shares their concern.
• James’s frustration at his stalled career and comparison with Anno fuel an obsessive determination to use the quarterfinal as a proving ground.
• Anno’s anxious wait for the birth gives way to overwhelming tenderness. He thanks Nicolas, holds their son carefully, and realizes that becoming a father matters more to him than football honors.

Significant themes

• Rivalry and ambition: Bayern prepare for a formidable opponent, while James seeks recognition and redemption.
• The weight of reputation: Anno’s past performances shape how rivals remember and fear him.
• Family and personal fulfillment: The chapter’s emotional climax contrasts sporting success with the deeper joy Anno finds in fatherhood.

Key plot points and events

• Chen Anno celebrates the birth of his son, sharing the news with Neymar, his second uncle, and his Liverpool teammates. Neymar is sincerely delighted and promises to visit after his match; Anno’s uncle plans to tell Anno’s late father.
• Teammates and Klopp congratulate Anno in the group chat. Anno promises to treat the team when his son turns one month old.
• In Manchester, anticipation builds for the second Northwest Derby of the season. United and Liverpool supporters fill the streets and Old Trafford, where the heavily outnumbered Liverpool fans loudly back their team.
• The broadcast introduces the starting lineups: United, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, use a 4-2-3-1; Liverpool, with Trent Alexander-Arnold back from injury, use a 4-3-3 featuring Anno, Salah, and Mané.
• The commentators highlight Ronaldo versus Anno and the Pogba–Rodri midfield contest. Referee Craig Pawson blows the whistle, and the match begins.

Character developments and interactions

• Anno’s joy at becoming a father brings out his closeness with Neymar, his uncle, and his teammates. Their warm congratulations make him feel supported and connected to the team.
• Neymar sets aside his usual joking manner to share Anno’s happiness, while Anno’s uncle responds with deep emotion and remembrance of Anno’s father.
• Klopp frames fatherhood as Anno’s “greatest victory,” and the team welcomes him into the fathers’ club.

Significant themes

• Family and new beginnings: Anno’s son’s birth is a personal milestone and a source of joy.
• Friendship and team bonds: The affectionate messages show how Anno’s relationships extend beyond the pitch.
• Rivalry and belonging: The derby turns Manchester into a battleground of red against red, with both fan bases fiercely loyal despite their unequal numbers.
• Legacy: Anno’s uncle links the new baby to family memory, while the broadcast places the match within the clubs’ long history.

Chapter 805: “There Was No Stopping Him”

Key plot points and events

• Manchester United begin the Northwest Derby at Old Trafford with an aggressive, high-tempo assault, hoping to avenge recent losses to Liverpool. Cristiano Ronaldo creates two early chances, but Alisson saves his first attempt and the second goes just over the bar.
• In the eighth minute, Pogba makes a reckless sliding tackle on Chen Anno. The referee gives Pogba only a warning, and the two players square up until Van Dijk and the referee intervene.
• Liverpool stay composed and pass through United’s press. United’s opening intensity fades, with fatigue—following their Champions League tie—contributing to mistakes. Liverpool’s players, better rested after an easy European fixture, grow increasingly comfortable.
• In the 35th minute, Rodri intercepts a misplaced United pass and feeds Chen Anno near the penalty arc. Spotting De Gea off his line, Chen fires a powerful first-time shot into the top-right corner. De Gea gets a fingertip to it but cannot stop the goal.
• Chen celebrates by rocking his arms like a cradle, dedicating the goal to his newborn child. His teammates join the celebration, while Liverpool’s Klopp cheers and United manager Mourinho watches grimly.

Character developments and interactions

• Chen Anno stays controlled after Pogba’s foul, answering the provocation with a cold stare rather than an outburst. He later demonstrates his composure and striking ability with the decisive goal, then celebrates in a personal tribute to his child.
• Pogba brings the derby’s hostility to the fore with his dangerous tackle and confrontational response to Chen.
• Van Dijk quickly steps in to protect Chen, while players from both teams and the referee work to prevent the argument from escalating.
• Alisson organizes Liverpool’s defense after Ronaldo’s early chances, urging his teammates to concentrate.
• Rodri reads United’s midfield error and launches the counterattack that creates Chen’s goal.
• Klopp and Mourinho provide contrasting touchline reactions: Klopp celebrates exuberantly, while Mourinho appears furious and silent.

Significant themes

• Rivalry and pride: The match is presented as a clash between two cities and two eras, not merely a contest for points.
• Composure versus aggression: United’s emotional, frantic start gives way to Liverpool’s calm, coordinated play.
• Fatigue and preparation: United’s exertions in Europe contrast with Liverpool’s rest, shaping the teams’ performance.
• Individual brilliance: Chen’s decisive strike embodies the chapter’s central claim that, when he is in form, “there’s simply no stopping him.”

Key plot points and events

• After Liverpool take the lead, José Mourinho urges Manchester United to attack aggressively. Ronaldo becomes United’s main source of hope, but Van Dijk closely marks him and repeatedly frustrates his attempts to turn or win free kicks.
• United create two major chances: Ronaldo heads Rashford’s cross just wide, then forces a powerful shot that Alisson tips over the bar. Liverpool clear the resulting corner.
• In the 43rd minute, United’s attempt to play out from the back breaks down. Henderson intercepts Smalling’s weak pass and sends a precise through ball behind the defense.
• Chen Anno beats the offside trap, draws De Gea into a dive, and calmly chips the ball over him for his second goal. It is his 50th league goal of the season, putting Liverpool 2–0 ahead.
• Chen celebrates by holding up two fingers toward the away stand, provoking loud boos from United supporters. Liverpool reach halftime with the advantage in possession and shots.

Character developments and interactions

• Cristiano Ronaldo grows increasingly frustrated as Van Dijk shadows him and Alisson denies his best effort. His usual control over a match seems to elude him.
• Van Dijk establishes himself as Ronaldo’s effective foil, while also helping Liverpool’s defense repel United’s attacks. He embraces Alisson after the goalkeeper’s crucial save.
• Alisson reinforces Liverpool’s defensive confidence with his stop of Ronaldo’s powerful strike.
• Henderson turns United’s defensive error into a decisive counterattack with his interception and through ball.
• Chen Anno displays composure and clinical skill in his one-on-one finish, then openly celebrates his brace in front of the opposing crowd.
• Mourinho responds to Liverpool’s first goal by urging United forward, but his team’s pressure fails to break through.

Significant themes

• Composure under pressure: Chen’s calm chip contrasts with the growing desperation around him.
• Defensive resilience: Van Dijk and Alisson repeatedly deny United, showing how a strong defensive partnership can withstand sustained pressure.
• Risk and punishment: United’s attempt to build from the back ends in a costly mistake and Liverpool’s second goal.
• Momentum and confidence: United’s attacking urgency gives way to frustration, while Liverpool’s growing control leaves the home crowd stunned.

Chen Anno scored a spectacular hat trick as Liverpool overwhelmed Manchester United at Old Trafford, then Salah made it 4-0. With the match still underway, Manchester United had collapsed and many home fans were leaving early.

• Manchester United pushed forward after halftime, but Van Dijk cleared Sanchez's cross before Cristiano Ronaldo could head it.
• Chen Anno dribbled past Pogba, Matic, and Smalling before scoring his third goal against De Gea in the 50th minute, putting Liverpool 3-0 ahead.
• Smalling confronted Chen Anno after the goal, and a fight between the teams ended with Pawson booking Smalling and Pogba.
• Salah cut inside past Ashley Young and curled a shot into the far corner in the 60th minute to give Liverpool a 4-0 lead.
• Manchester United supporters began leaving or chanting for Mourinho to be sacked as Liverpool's fans celebrated, while the match continued.

Liverpool overwhelmed Manchester United at Old Trafford, with Sadio Mane making it 5-0 before Chen Anno scored a spectacular bicycle kick for his fourth goal and Liverpool’s sixth. The match continued as Liverpool’s away fans chanted for one more goal.

• Alisson tipped Rashford’s shot over the bar as Manchester United struggled to respond.
• Chen Anno sent Mane forward, and Mane beat Valencia before firing past De Gea to make it 5-0.
• Mourinho brought on Martial while Klopp substituted Salah and Henderson to rest key players.
• Martial beat Arnold and shot, but Alisson collected the ball.
• Van Dijk launched a long pass, and Chen Anno scored with a bicycle kick from outside the penalty area, completing his fourth goal and making it 6-0.
• Liverpool’s away fans celebrated and chanted for one more goal as the match continued.

Liverpool beat Manchester United 7-0 at Old Trafford, with Chen Anno scoring four goals in a historic Northwest Derby. The chapter ended with Liverpool celebrating on the pitch as Chen Anno and the away supporters raised seven fingers.

• Rodri scored Liverpool's seventh goal with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area, making it 7-0.
• Pogba argued with Pawson over a foul call, received two yellow cards, and was sent off.
• Pawson blew the final whistle without stoppage time, sealing Liverpool's record 7-0 victory.
• Klopp embraced Chen Anno as Liverpool's players and supporters celebrated the historic win.
• Chen Anno raised seven fingers toward the camera, and the Liverpool fans in the away stand did the same.