Chapter 134 Pressure

Winning against Juventus and sending Liverpool into the Champions League quarterfinals eased Martin O'Neill's mind.

He knew the team was tired, but he had no other choice. He could only rotate players in the league now, and it would have to be a massive rotation. As for whether that would affect the league results, he couldn't worry about it too much. Why had they been so desperate to grab points in the first place? Wasn't it to deal with a situation like this? With the Champions League in full swing, the bigger Liverpool's lead in the league, the more leeway they had at this point.

After the Champions League match against Juventus, their next league game was against Fulham.

The first time the two teams met this season, Fulham held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at home, which was considered a minor upset at the time.

But that was just an accident and had no reference value whatsoever.

Even away from home, Liverpool shouldn't have any problem beating Fulham.

Who would have thought that Liverpool would draw again this time!

Liverpool, with almost all of their starting players rotated out, fought fiercely on the road and drew 2-2 with Fulham. The game was indeed intense, with Suarez being sent off with a red card, while Fulham had five players booked with yellow cards.

Chen Hero scored his forty-third league goal of the season in the game, but it wasn't enough to help the team win, which frustrated him to no end.

What frustrated him even more was that after the game, reporters came to ask him if the tough match was related to his previous comments about booking the league championship, asking if he regretted saying those words.

With Chen Hero's personality, how could he possibly bow his head and admit his mistake to the reporters in person? Naturally, he stubbornly insisted that he didn't regret it, because "Liverpool is destined to win the championship, I just told everyone in advance, what's wrong with that?"

Seeing that Chen Hero still showed no remorse, a wave of criticism against him swept through the media after the game. They believed that it was Chen Hero's arrogant remarks that stimulated the other Premier League teams, making them go all out when playing against Liverpool. As a result, Liverpool, who already didn't have much stamina, had to fight tooth and nail in every game and get entangled with those opponents.

The result was that it became more and more difficult to play.

"...Truly, success and failure are both due to Hero. Without Hero, Liverpool would not be able to sit at the top of the league and have the opportunity to glimpse the league championship trophy. But it is precisely because of Hero that Liverpool is now mired in a quagmire and facing difficulties. Hero's arrogance has made them the enemy of the Premier League—Manchester United used to play this role, and now Manchester United must be very happy that Liverpool has taken their place..."

"Liverpool's recent experience proves that keeping a low profile is a must. Don't show off, or you'll get struck by lightning..."

"Hero obviously hasn't realized his mistake. Arrogance will only make him enemies everywhere. Once he is besieged, even if he is Superman, I'm afraid he won't be able to do anything..."

In addition to the media's attacks, the opponents also rubbed salt in Chen Hero's wounds. After forcing a draw with Liverpool, Fulham's players said in interviews that the reason they played so hard against Liverpool, even at the cost of five yellow cards, was because after hearing Chen Hero's arrogant declaration, they felt that this kid was too punchable and must be taught a lesson. So when they played Liverpool, they didn't need any motivation at all, and their whole bodies were full of energy.

This gave the media even more to talk about—look! The opponents have admitted it, it's all because of Chen Hero's arrogant words! Hero, what are you still quibbling about?!

But it wasn't like no one spoke up for Chen Hero. Martin O'Neill strongly supported Chen Hero. At the post-match press conference, he was also asked the same question, asking if the team's current difficulties were related to Chen Hero's words.

Martin O'Neill flatly denied it: "Actually, at this stage of the league, no game is easy to play. We are fighting on two fronts, which has had a certain impact on the team's stamina. This is the main reason for not winning. It is irresponsible and shows a lack of understanding of football to attribute the responsibility for the draw to Chen Hero. Does that mean that if we keep a low profile, Liverpool's opponents will kneel and offer us three points with both hands? Then why are the other games still so fiercely contested? Why don't you ask Fulham, who lost in the previous round, and ask them if the reason they lost the game was because they were too arrogant and not low-key enough?"

These words left many reporters speechless on the spot.

They couldn't argue, but they felt that O'Neill's words were sophistry, generalizing from individual cases, and a straw man fallacy.

Only their words were the truth, were the facts.

Martin O'Neill also knew that he couldn't change the media's opinion. He was worried that the media's criticism would cause psychological problems for Chen Hero.

He went to talk to Chen Hero privately, but Chen Hero was completely unaffected by the reporters. He even turned around and comforted his coach.

"...It's okay, boss. When we finally win the championship, we'll have ten thousand ways to deal with those damn media. So don't take it to heart."

Seeing Chen Hero already planning how to slap the media's faces, Martin O'Neill had a feeling of "Damn, what am I worried about him for!"...

※※※

The match between Liverpool and Fulham was the first game of this round of the league, starting and ending the earliest.

A day later, the match between Manchester United and Newcastle began.

This was a contest between the second and fifth-placed teams in the league.

Liverpool had already been held to a draw, and with Manchester United having played one game less, they were leading Manchester United by eight points. If Manchester United won against Newcastle in this game, then the gap between Manchester United and Liverpool would only be five points.

From ten points to five points, the point difference was reduced by half in just two games.

The situation was becoming increasingly serious.

This highly anticipated battle also attracted Martin O'Neill's attention on television.

The game started, and Newcastle took the lead.

"Cissé! Cissé! Newcastle looks to be in good form at their home ground! They took the lead in the twenty-seventh minute!"

Many Liverpool fans must have been cheering at this moment, but Martin O'Neill didn't show any joy. The game had only started for more than twenty minutes. There was still a lot of time left for Manchester United, and now was not the time to be complacent. Laughing too early now, I'm afraid you won't be able to cry in the end.

Sure enough, O'Neill's judgment was correct.

Manchester United equalized the score near the end of the first half!

"Oh oh oh! Powerful Manchester United! Tenacious Manchester United! They equalized the score away from home! The point difference between them and Liverpool is still seven points!"

When Rooney scored the equalizing goal for Manchester United, Ferguson rushed down from the coaching bench with his arms raised. His old face was flushed red, and he looked very excited.

In fact, this game was also very difficult for Manchester United. Playing away from home, Newcastle's strength was not weak either. In addition, Manchester United was also fighting on two fronts, and their stamina was also a problem.

But at this time, it depended on who could grit their teeth and hold on, and whoever gave up first would be finished!

※※※

Seeing Manchester United equalize the score, O'Neill's heart turned cold.

In the second half, Manchester United reversed the score again, and this time O'Neill was completely chilled from the inside out.

The worst situation had appeared—when Liverpool stopped moving forward, Manchester United quietly caught up from behind!

In the end, Manchester United narrowly defeated Newcastle 2-1 away from home.

When the whole game ended, the commentator's excited voice came from the television: "Liverpool has gone winless for two consecutive rounds, while Manchester United has made great strides to catch up. The point difference between the two teams has gone from ten points to five points! The Premier League title race this season has regained suspense! For the fans, this is probably a great thing!"

Not for me... O'Neill muttered in his heart when he heard the commentator's words.

As if hearing his muttering, the commentator immediately said: "But I believe that for Liverpool coach Martin O'Neill, it is definitely not a good thing! Hahaha!"

O'Neill rolled his eyes in front of the television.

※※※

At the post-match press conference after defeating Newcastle, Manchester United coach Ferguson looked very excited, his face beaming.

"A five-point difference? I don't know, I didn't pay attention. The difference was too big before, so I didn't care about it... Now there's only a five-point difference, what should we do? Of course, it's the league championship! Yes, we want to defend the title this season!"

Ferguson's words were sonorous and powerful, and many reporters looked at each other, somewhat confused.

Ferguson had been so low-key before, never mentioning the word "championship." He hadn't uttered a word in the face of the media's various attacks and criticisms against him. Now, he suddenly shouted out the slogan of defending the title. This is... a 180-degree turn!

In fact, a five-point difference was still very big. If Ferguson was smart enough, he should continue to keep a low profile and avoid becoming the focus of attention.

But Ferguson had his own considerations. At this time, Liverpool was showing signs of collapse.

He had to step forward and give Liverpool a push, helping Liverpool to push themselves to the edge of the dark abyss. When Manchester United emerged from the darkness and roared, Liverpool's psychological pressure would be even greater. After all, there was a tiger chasing them from behind. Now, Liverpool had to run wildly with their legs spread, with no chance to stop and catch their breath. Want to rotate? Want to rest? No way! You have to run to death for me, run until your lungs are burning, and you can't stop, because stopping means death. Of course, running on will also lead to a dead end in the end, because your stamina will be exhausted, and then we will eat you up in one bite. In short, no matter what Martin O'Neill chooses, he will die in the end. In this way, the pressure will also increase sharply.

In a state of physical and mental exhaustion, Liverpool's collapse would accelerate.

This was the purpose of Ferguson's sudden high profile.