Chapter 16 On the Field

Chen Hero didn't score in the match against Arsenal, and it seemed his good luck had abandoned him. He bottled up his frustration and vented it on the FA Cup, scoring another hat trick against West Bromwich Albion. His goals were back, and so was his luck.

Led by him, Liverpool's reserve team swept West Bromwich Albion, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, with a score of 5:1.

However, for O'Neill, this was not a cause for celebration.

Because with this victory, Liverpool had also entered the FA Cup quarter-finals. Just one more win and they would be in the semi-finals.

Wasn't this exactly the same situation as the League Cup?

Once they reached the semi-finals, would Liverpool fight for the championship or not?

Fighting for it would consume a lot of energy and stamina. Not fighting for it, after reaching the semi-finals, would they be willing to give up?

Martin O'Neill was deeply troubled. That Chen Hero, he was having a great time, scoring goal after goal, but he never thought about what I wanted!

※※※

In February, Manchester City's keyword was "Liverpool," because they would meet Liverpool twice in the league and the League Cup, and each match was crucial.

The first was at their home ground, in the league. Because it was their home game, Manchester City had bigger ambitions; they wanted to defeat Liverpool.

The second was at Wembley Stadium, in the League Cup final. Manchester City also wanted to defeat Liverpool and lift the League Cup.

Arsenal shrank back to defend at their home ground and then drew with Liverpool. This game had no reference value for Manchester City.

Martin O'Neill didn't have to worry about Manchester City following suit and using the same method to contain Liverpool's attack.

Because Manchester City couldn't let go of that posture and status, and even more so, they couldn't let go of the anger in their hearts.

They were different from Arsenal. Arsenal and Liverpool didn't really have any grudges other than the competitive relationship in football; they were purely opponents. They would fight to the death on the field, but once the game was over, everything went back to normal.

But Manchester City was different. In addition to the competitive relationship in football itself, Manchester City and Liverpool had many hatreds. For example, the old feud between Chen Hero and Richards, the grudges between Chen Hero and Manchester City fans, the two great opportunities to win the championship that were ruined by Liverpool at the last minute, and the century-old feud between the cities of Manchester and Liverpool.

These were the reasons that made the games between Liverpool and Manchester City so complicated.

In the past, Manchester City's strength was not strong enough to represent the highest level of football in Manchester, and there was naturally nothing to say about their matches against Liverpool. But as Manchester City's strength grew, they were no longer willing to always be behind. First, they wanted to be the top team in the city. Just defeating Manchester United was not enough; they also had to represent Manchester and compete with Liverpool.

Therefore, Manchester City's desire to defeat Liverpool had always been very strong.

With new hatred and old grudges, a contest between cities, and personal feuds, every match between these two teams would have many stories.

※※※

On February 16th, three days after the match against Arsenal, Liverpool went to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City.

Before the match against Arsenal, both sides were calm and there were no trash-talking wars.

But the match against Manchester City was different.

Almost immediately after the Arsenal game ended, the trash-talking war between the two sides began.

But this time, Wenger's Arsenal was caught in the crossfire.

The Manchester media ridiculed Arsenal for being frightened by Liverpool, choosing to defend to the death at their home ground, which was simply an insult to Arsenal's century-old reputation. Even if they managed to draw with their opponent, there was nothing to be happy about.

"...If Wenger had drawn with Liverpool away from home, we would have applauded and respected him, but what's the point of drawing with your opponent in this way at your home ground, and only getting one point?"

"Arsenal only had six shots in the entire game, and only one of them was on target. These stats are simply embarrassing!"

"Wenger said that this is what you need to do when facing Liverpool. I disagree. This is cowardice before the battle! If every team facing Liverpool is like this, it will only fuel their arrogance! So Wenger's approach is a shameful surrender!"

"Arsenal has really declined. Where is the Arsenal that went undefeated for a season and created the longest unbeaten record in the history of the English top league with forty-nine games? Where is the Arsenal that always played flowing attacking football and always held high the banner of attack? Is this still the Arsenal we know! Is it worth giving up so much for one point, for a draw?"

…

Wenger gnashed his teeth when he saw these media reports. At the post-match press conference, he desperately tried to downplay the media's criticism of his tactics, claiming that it was a temporary measure specifically designed to deal with Liverpool, in order to reduce the Arsenal fans' anger at the game.

This group of Manchester media were doing the opposite, constantly provoking the Arsenal fans as if they weren't angry enough.

Of course, he knew that this was Manchester City's psychological warfare, aimed at putting pressure on Liverpool, while also boosting their own morale, but why are you dragging me into your two teams' match? I've already kept a low profile!

Damn it!

Damn Manchester City!

Next time we meet, I'll show you the real Arsenal!

The pro-Manchester City media naturally didn't know that they had made another enemy for themselves...

They were still happily attacking Liverpool in their own territory under the pretext of criticizing Arsenal.

※※※

Liverpool certainly had to respond to Manchester City's provocation, and Chen Hero was now in charge of this task.

Although the Manchester City media didn't directly target Liverpool, but only criticized Arsenal's cowardly behavior, everyone knew what their real purpose was.

Arsenal's coach Wenger did not respond to the Manchester City media's criticism and ridicule. It was better for him to keep a low profile now.

But Chen Hero didn't care so much. He stood up, aimed at Manchester City, and started spraying!

"Those Manchester media are talking about Arsenal being cowards? I think they are the cowards themselves, because they are even hiding when waging psychological warfare and trash-talking with us Liverpool. They don't dare to come out and have a fair fight with me. What is this if not cowardice? They obviously want to target Liverpool, but they have to pull Arsenal out as a shield. What is this if not timidity? Let me analyze why they are doing this for everyone—actually, they are afraid of talking too much before the game, and then getting slapped in the face by me during the game and losing the game, which would make them lose face. But I want to tell the Manchester people that no matter what you say before the game, even if you kneel down and beg for mercy, I will still slap you. This has nothing to do with what you did before; this is our tradition."

These words were full of domineering spirit, and they also made many people grit their teeth in hatred.

Because it was too arrogant!

You say that Manchester City is afraid of talking too much, but isn't what you said too much? What you said is overflowing!

So, naturally, Chen Hero's words aroused a strong response from Manchester City.

"I will let him know whether he is a coward or not when the game comes!" Manchester City captain Kompany said with a gloomy face.

"Yes, yes, I will also let him know," Chen Hero responded.

Lavezzi: "A guy who only bluffs, his best skill is talking. I think as long as we treat what he says as farts, it won't have any impact on us."

Chen Hero: "Has someone forgotten how they were 'released' by Napoli in the first place?"

Aguero: "I don't think Chen Hero has enough respect for others!"

Chen Hero: "Heh—yawn—"

Finally, Mancini came out: "I'm tired of this kind of thing. Every time before we play them, Hero always jumps out and says some nonsense. This is definitely not normal!"

Chen Hero sneered: "Take a look at who is always eager to jump out and ask for a beating first! I'm just fulfilling their wishes. I'm the kindest person, and I like to satisfy other people's requests the most!"

Manchester City was like a coquettish and sensitive woman. As long as Chen Hero stimulated her a little, she would react violently. Her whole body would go limp, her nether regions would get wet, and she would pant continuously. Chen Hero loved this feeling the most!

After teasing the other party verbally, it was naturally time to get down to business!

※※※

On the 16th, the day of the match, the entire Etihad Stadium was packed.

Manchester City fans arrived outside the stadium early to wait for admission. When they were allowed to enter, they swarmed into the stadium.

This time they were the absolute protagonists. Of the 47,000-capacity Etihad Stadium, less than 2,000 were Liverpool fans, and the rest were all home team fans. Their Manchester City home jerseys dyed the stadium stands sky blue.

Before the match even started, they had already launched an offensive against the Liverpool fans in the stands.

They shouted all kinds of slogans attacking and insulting Liverpool.

The Liverpool fans, surrounded by two layers of police, stayed quietly in their area.

In the past, the atmosphere between Liverpool and Manchester City was not so tense.

Now, before every match, with the trash-talking war between Chen Hero and Manchester City, the tension was rising, and the police did not dare to be careless.

Neither side's fans were easy to deal with. Although England was cracking down on football hooligans, small-scale fights still occurred from time to time, but no one had been killed.

Some Manchester City fans were not in a hurry to enter the stadium. They waited in the square, waiting to welcome the two teams' buses.

They were really welcoming Manchester City's bus. As for Liverpool's bus, it was a different kind of welcome.

"fuCk_you!! Chink! I want to fuCk_you!!" A sexy, beautiful blonde female fan grimaced and raised two middle fingers at Liverpool's bus.

"Did you hear that, Hero? She's asking you for a one-night stand! Aren't you going to consider hooking up with her tonight?" Skrtel joked with Chen Hero next to him.

"What a great pair of boobs! She's also good looking, but it's a pity she's a Manchester City fan..." Thornton next to him was also commenting on the female fan.

Chen Hero glanced at her: "No, she has too many spots on her body. Her skin is not good."

"You have high standards!" Skrtel rolled his eyes.

"Of course, how can I treat myself badly?"