Chapter 413: Fancy Tricks
Mourinho studied Liverpool's games and noticed that Milner's attacks were often more active in the second half compared to the first. He wasn't sure if this was Klopp's strategy, but it was a fact.
Therefore, Mourinho felt that in the second half, Manchester United could exploit Milner's side more. When Milner moved up to support the attack, they should aggressively attack down that side.
On the other side was the young Arnold, who got his first Premier League start for Liverpool because Clyne was injured. Arnold didn't have much match experience, so he might also be a breakthrough point for Manchester United. However, their main focus remained on Milner's flank.
Klopp's teams relied heavily on wing attacks, but this also left gaps behind them. It was up to Manchester United to seize these opportunities.
...
The halftime break went by quickly.
The Manchester United players returned to the pitch, but there was no sign of Liverpool's players. They were still in the dressing room.
It wasn't until the last minute of halftime that Liverpool's players finally started to emerge from the tunnel, with Klopp walking out while still talking to his players. He even had his arm around Henderson's neck, whispering to him as they walked out.
"It looks like Klopp had a lot to say during halftime, using the full fifteen minutes and still not being finished," a commentator joked upon seeing this.
Another commentator had a different view: "Here we go again! This is one of Klopp's favorite tactics—letting the opposing team's players come out first during halftime, leaving them to wait on the pitch while his players come out last. It's very cold in England in January, haha!"
Klopp did like to play such psychological games. Though controversial, they were often effective, leaving opponents with no recourse.
There was no guarantee that Klopp wasn't playing some kind of psychological game with this move.
However, the Manchester United players didn't feel too affected this time, as Klopp hadn't taken it too far.
...
Once both teams were in position, the second half began.
Liverpool started aggressively, immediately launching attacks on Manchester United's goal, clearly wanting to score quickly.
Besides Sadio Mané, Lallana also performed well. Kanté was assigned to mark him but struggled, allowing Lallana to set up Liverpool's opening goal in the first half.
In the second half, Lallana became even more active, making it harder for Kanté to keep up.
Kanté worked hard to block Lallana's shots and continued defending.
Liverpool earned a corner kick.
Lallana was just one problem for Manchester United; the biggest issue was the highly active Sadio Mané.
Mané didn't directly match up with Bruno. Mané mostly operated on the wings, while Bruno was central, and both were more focused on attacking, rarely facing each other one-on-one in defense.
However, their rivalry was ongoing.
When Bruno made a brilliant pass, Mané responded with a dangerous breakthrough on the wing.
When Mané's shot in the box went slightly wide, Bruno almost scored with a header from a corner kick.
When Mané used fancy moves to outplay Manchester United's defenders, Bruno used simple upper body feints to get past Wijnaldum.
Both showcased their skills, displaying their best abilities.
Both had scored in this game, and each was a core part of their team's attacking system. Liverpool's offense heavily relied on Mané, while Manchester United's attacks were orchestrated by Bruno.
...
The commentators quickly noticed this core-to-core battle.
"Mané's abilities are exceptional; his speed, technique, and physicality are top-notch..."
"Bruno's vision is outstanding! His passes are always perfectly placed for his teammates, facilitating the attack!"
Although the score remained tied, Bruno truly enjoyed this type of match. Showing his best against a strong opponent and forcing them to do the same. Playing to the fullest, leading his team forward.
He didn't know if Mané enjoyed these matches, but Bruno had a smile on his face.
Mané, on the other hand, didn't smile but gritted his teeth and fought for every ball. It was hard to tell from his serious expression if he was enjoying the game, as he always wore that intense look until the final whistle.
For Mané, perhaps enjoying the game meant giving his all and fighting with every means necessary.
Both enjoyed the game in different ways, but one thing they had in common was their relentless pursuit of victory, never stopping until the final moment.
...
With both sides aiming for victory, the focus remained on attacking.
Both Manchester United and Liverpool had opportunities but failed to capitalize.
Origi tried hard to score, knowing the importance of this match for him. His impressive performances as a substitute had proven his potential. Now, he needed to perform well as a starter.
He didn't want to be seen as just a super-sub; he aimed to establish himself as a key player.
For Manchester United, Ibrahimović and Lingard also worked hard.
Both teams had strong midfields providing opportunities, but the goalkeepers were in great form, and the forwards lacked the finishing touch.
At the 60-minute mark, both Mourinho and Klopp made substitutions. Klopp brought on his ace, Coutinho, while Mourinho replaced vice-captain Carrick with captain Rooney and Mata for the hard-working but ineffective Lingard.
Both managers adjusted their offensive lineups.
...
Kanté fouled the newly substituted Coutinho, giving Liverpool a free kick thirty meters from the goal.
For Coutinho, this distance was perfect. He stood in front of the ball.
Bruno was called to arrange the wall, instructing everyone to tighten up and not give Coutinho any chance to shoot through it.
Not only did they stand close together, but they also stood on their toes, making the wall taller and more challenging for Coutinho to shoot over.
Ultimately, Coutinho's free kick failed to clear the wall, hitting Bruno's chest and bouncing back.
Mata picked up the ball, turning and pushing forward, and the wall, made up of mostly attacking players, received the signal and scattered, rushing forward.
Bruno, hit in the chest, wasn't affected and saw a chance to counterattack, sprinting forward.
Coutinho, initially complaining about the wall's distance, noticed Bruno speeding past and quickly turned to chase.
...
Manchester United's counter-attack failed as Mata's pass to Ibrahimović was too obvious. Liverpool's defender Milner intercepted the ball.
Liverpool launched their own counter-attack.
Bruno quickly ran back to defend, while Coutinho sprinted forward again.
Their stamina seemed endless, able to sprint back and forth in quick succession.
Coutinho moved from the center to the left wing, passing by Bruno.
Bruno followed him to the wing. Though he wasn't responsible for marking Coutinho, he couldn't just ignore him when they crossed paths.
Milner passed the ball to Coutinho, and as the Brazilian received it, Bruno was right in front of him.
This was their first face-to-face one-on-one encounter of the match.
Coutinho started to dribble with fancy footwork, performing elaborate tricks behind the ball.
Bruno remained unfazed, focusing only on the ball, lowering his center of gravity, maintaining his stance, and blocking Coutinho's inside line, preventing a straight breakthrough.
...
Coutinho performed a series of step-overs, but Bruno didn't bite. Meanwhile, Milner made an overlapping run behind him, so Coutinho decided to pass.
Standing still, Coutinho used his left foot to move the ball to the right, feinting a breakthrough while using Milner's run as a decoy.
Typically, defenders would fall for this and move to the right, leaving space for the pass.
Then, Coutinho planted his right foot, using his heel to flick the ball left towards Milner.
But just as quickly, Bruno, who had been standing still like a wooden post, lunged with a sliding tackle!
His left foot supported his body while his right foot extended to block Coutinho's passing lane. The ball hit Bruno's right foot and deflected out for a throw-in.
To outsiders, this defense seemed ordinary, not even regaining possession as Liverpool retained control. But to Coutinho, it was surprising.
He thought his fake moves were convincing enough, with both footwork and upper body shifts. Yet, Bruno's defensive move seemed like he anticipated the pass, blocking it in advance...
Bruno stood up, keeping his eyes on Coutinho, ready for the next move.
(End of the chapter)
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