Chapter 164 A Race Against Time

Of course, this match wasn't over.

These kinds of matches are always more interesting after the game.

Liverpool lost their chance to get ten straight wins against their city rivals due to two controversial calls. How could they possibly swallow that?

If they had lost because they weren't as strong as Everton, they might have accepted it, perhaps with a little verbal reluctance.

But now, it was because of that damned referee who had screwed them over!

No one can stand that kind of thing! Even if the uncle can bear it, the aunt can't!

In the post-match press conference, an enraged Martin O'Neill directly blasted the referee of the match.

He completely forgot what serious consequences criticizing the referee after the game would bring him.

He was out of his mind with anger.

Even if the Merseyside derby was a foregone conclusion, Martin O'Neill still took it very seriously.

Because he knew very well that if he wanted to win the hearts of Liverpool fans and get them to accept him wholeheartedly, the Merseyside derby was a very good stage.

He was only one game away from leading the team to its tenth consecutive victory against their city rivals when he was robbed by a strange "penalty outside the box."

He absolutely could not accept such a reality.

In the post-match press conference, he claimed in front of many reporters that it was a conspiracy.

"...I know that Liverpool is performing well now, and it has become a high-profile tree. All kinds of situations will follow. I was prepared, but I didn't expect it to come like this... That penalty, if you let James (the referee of the match) judge it again, do you think he would think it was a penalty? And Hero's first goal, what a beautiful header, was actually considered offside? I watched the game recording repeatedly for ten times, and I couldn't see that it was an offside goal! Someone doesn't want us to win anymore, someone can't stand Liverpool becoming bigger and stronger... I know, I know too well! But I still have to say that this game is a disgrace to the referee!"

Martin O'Neill's anger caused the reporters below the stage to look at each other in dismay. They did not expect O'Neill to react so strongly. Then they all became excited because they knew that O'Neill, as Liverpool's coach, was so angry that he was going to blast the referee, and there would definitely be a good show to watch.

The only regret was that the other powder keg didn't explode this time...

Chen Hero was also blocked by reporters in the mixed zone after the game, and they insisted on hearing his opinion on the game.

They thought that with Chen Hero's temper and personality, he would definitely be furious if the team suffered such a big loss in the game. At that time, his big mouth would not know what sensational words he would spew out.

But to their surprise, Chen Hero did not scold the referee or the FA.

He seemed very calm, and just shrugged: "The ten-game winning streak is gone? It doesn't matter, we'll start all over again, and we'll win ten games in a row again, won't we?"

The reporters were used to Chen Hero's wild words.

But things are not as simple as he said.

Ten consecutive victories require five seasons. To win both legs of the match in five seasons requires not only absolute strength, but also enough luck.

Just like this time, just as they were about to achieve ten consecutive victories, they encountered two controversial calls in one game... No one can guarantee that this kind of thing will not happen again in the future.

In the eyes of the reporters, Chen Hero was using this method to express his dissatisfaction. Too subtle, not good, it should be more direct.

Since Chen Hero didn't take the initiative to say it, then I will ask him.

"What do you think of the two misjudgments in this game that were enough to change the outcome of the game, Hero?"

The reporter did not use "controversial penalty," but directly defined it as a "misjudgment." He was not standing up for Liverpool, he was setting a trap in his words. As long as Chen Hero followed his words and said "misjudgment," the news headlines such as "Hero angrily scolds the referee for misjudgment" could be seen in tomorrow's report.

You can't say that the media is making things up, because Chen Hero did say the word "misjudgment."

But Chen Hero was not fooled this time.

He shook his head, did not answer the reporter's question, and squeezed out of the mixed zone directly.

The group of reporters who looked at each other could not figure out why Chen Hero, who always liked to spray people with his big mouth, suddenly became so honest.

You must know that he seemed very angry in the game. After the controversial penalty appeared, he went up to argue with the referee, and he even got a yellow card for it.

Why did he suddenly calm down?

Of course, they would not know that immediately after the game, Martin O'Neill found Chen Hero as soon as possible, and then put his arm around his neck for a private talk.

In the secret talk, Martin O'Neill told Chen Hero to keep calm, and no matter what the media asked him later, don't talk about the referee.

At that time, Chen Hero was very puzzled: "Boss, they screwed us over! Are we going to shut up and accept it?"

O'Neill shook his head: "Of course we don't accept it. It's just not appropriate for you to come forward."

"Why? I'm also the captain..."

"I'll do the thing that offends the FA, Hero. You have to stay on the court. Do you want to be banned for one or two games for criticizing the referee?"

Chen Hero was stunned. He did not expect Martin O'Neill to have this idea.

Criticizing the referee is indeed a very dangerous behavior, because the football associations of all countries attach great importance to maintaining the authority of the referee. Even in the World Cup, those famous coaches and superstars cannot criticize the referee casually.

Even if they are right, they have to accept punishment.

"We have to show our attitude, otherwise others will think we are easy to bully. But let me do the sacrifice."

"But boss..." Chen Hero wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Martin O'Neill.

"There's nothing to but, Hero. If I'm banned, I'll just not be able to direct the game on the spot. In the game, your role is bigger than mine, so you have to stay on the court, understand?"

The boss has said everything to this point, what else can Chen Hero say?

Naturally, he accepted the boss's arrangement.

So Martin O'Neill, who has always given the impression of being a careful and old good man, unexpectedly broke out at the post-match press conference without any warning, while Chen Hero, the powder keg with a hot temper, firmly closed his mouth.

Behind the scenes that outsiders can't understand is that these two people are clear about their responsibilities.

As the coach, Martin O'Neill must stand up at this time, even if he knows that it will lead to very serious consequences, he will not hesitate. Because if he doesn't stand up to show Liverpool's attitude, it will leave others with a "weak" impression, and will make others think that Liverpool is easy to bully, then similar things will continue to appear in the future, making Liverpool exhausted to deal with.

Instead of this, it is better to show your attitude from the beginning.

Although Chen Hero has always served as the spokesperson for Liverpool Football Club, he is not suitable to stand up at this time, because he has to preserve Liverpool's vital forces. In terms of scolding people, Martin O'Neill is naturally not as good as Chen Hero, but at this time, scolding more fiercely and with more tricks will not be able to make the referee committee change this decision, and Liverpool's ten consecutive derby victories will not return to their hands. Since this is the case, why not keep Chen Hero on the court to score more goals for the team?

From a global perspective, being tied by Everton will not have any impact on Liverpool's title prospects. But if Chen Hero is banned for scolding the referee, the impact on Liverpool will be great. Martin O'Neill knows very well that the FA is now holding back to find trouble for Liverpool and Chen Hero—because they have almost formed a monopoly, which is harmful to football—and they must not give them any handle. As long as Chen Hero can still play, Martin O'Neill has nothing to worry about in the next game.

This is O'Neill's plan.

Being fined and banned are not a problem for O'Neill.

As long as Chen Hero can continue to play, Liverpool can continue to move forward.

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Sure enough, as expected, the FA's penalty notice was issued the next day, as fast as if they had been waiting here...

Because Martin O'Neill lacked respect for the referee, he was fined 5,000 pounds and banned for two games.

The FA Disciplinary Committee once again announced the principle that no matter what the referee makes, the coaches and players must respect.

And Chen Hero? He didn't say anything, so this ruling has nothing to do with him.

I believe some people must be very regretful...

Liverpool Football Club is very dissatisfied with this decision, because the FA does not mention the issue of referee James at all.

They have appealed to the Disciplinary Committee.

In fact, they also know that this appeal will not solve the problem, and it is impossible to give them a victory, but this will at least make James suffer, such as canceling his Premier League qualification.

Lest Liverpool encounter such a referee with eyesight problems in the future...

In the past two days, the media has been discussing this game.

Everyone's opinion is very unified - it is really hard to say whether Chen Hero's first goal was offside, and it is understandable if the linesman and the referee made a wrong judgment.

But the controversial penalty was indeed a misjudgment. When Stella Quareresi fell, he was still one meter away from the penalty area line. This can be clearly seen in the TV slow motion and on-site photos. Even if he fell into the box in the end, he could not be given a penalty for it. The basis for the penalty is the defense's foul in the penalty area, not outside the penalty area.

With the facts so clear, it depends on how the FA will judge.

But there is also a consensus - no matter how they judge, Liverpool will forever lose the chance to win ten consecutive Everton kills. Who knows when the next such opportunity will come...

They suddenly thought of what Chen Hero said after the game. During this time, everyone was paying attention to Martin O'Neill's punishment, and they forgot about it.

He said that he could win ten games in a row next time... Can he really do it?

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Chen Hero put down the newspaper that reported O'Neill's punishment, and a sneer appeared on his face.

If someone wants to use such means to slow down Liverpool, then they must be made aware of the consequences of doing so.

Don't you want us to slow down?

We still have to run all the way, leaving everyone else behind!

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ps, remind everyone, there are four updates today!