Chapter 92

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Among all the Premier League home grounds, the most terrifying atmosphere is undoubtedly at Liverpool's Anfield. Arsenal fans have always been relatively "quiet," while Manchester United's commercialization has attracted more external fans. The fiery atmosphere of a decade ago, when they were two goals down to Barcelona with Maradona and managed to turn the game around at home, is gradually fading. Other grounds either have smaller capacities and fewer spectators compared to the traditional powerhouses, or their fans' expectations are not as high, leading to a lack of the fighting spirit needed to overcome adversity.

After the match started, under the constant cheers of Liverpool fans, Liverpool's attack was lively and effective.

The home strength of the team built by Roy Evans cannot be underestimated. Although they only won by a single goal in the first round of the league, as the team gradually found its rhythm, their offensive firepower was on par with any other Premier League team.

Aldridge paced by the sidelines, watching Liverpool's fluid attacks frequently threaten Millwall's goal. A set piece by Little Redknapp almost resulted in a goal, causing a loud sigh from the fans in the stands.

He wasn't overly worried. Both Liverpool and Manchester United had top-tier offensive setups, but Manchester United's midfield this season was more defensive, with Keane and Butt, while Liverpool's was more offensive, with Redknapp and Barnes.

Faced with such a top-tier offensive setup, Aldridge had two tactical options: either use a double defensive midfielder to slow down the opponent's attack and focus on defense, as he did against Arsenal, or play an open attacking game.

Playing away, the usual choice would be the more conservative first option, but Aldridge chose the latter.

If he had been conservative, the players might have become even more nervous in the noisy atmosphere of Anfield, as the coach's approach would indirectly tell them: Liverpool's attack is very strong!

And Liverpool, playing at home, would gain more confidence as the game progressed. This could make the match lose its suspense from the very first second.

In fact, every tactical decision in a match is a gamble. Winning makes you a wise strategist, while losing makes you a foolish and incompetent one. Aldridge was always on edge during each match. Today, he just wanted the team to play their style. The defensive strategy against Arsenal was a more targeted approach to increase their chances of winning, not a sign that Millwall would rely on counterattacks in the Premier League.

Before the Premier League entered the "highway" of fast-paced play, Millwall aimed to be a pioneer of this style.

Collymore's shot was blocked by Southgate's body. Makelele won the ball in front of Little Redknapp and passed it to the left flank. Neil took the ball, dribbled a few steps, and passed it to Nedved in the center. Then he started a high-speed run. Nedved passed the ball to Schneider on the right flank and also began a high-speed run.

From left to right, Millwall's horizontal ball movement, though not like the high and long passes typical of English football, was based on precise passing and positioning, making it more successful and harder to defend.

This counterattack was executed with great coordination by Millwall's attackers. Schneider dribbled a few steps and passed the ball to Larsson, who had dropped back. Larsson, with the ball at his back, saw Skales preparing to close in. He immediately passed the ball to the advancing Nedved and then turned to run into the penalty area, taking Skales with him.

Nedved's one-touch pass sent the ball to Pires. Jones, not daring to be careless, lowered his center of gravity to challenge Pires. Pires cleverly played a backheel, sending the ball behind him towards the baseline. Jones turned to see Neil, who had come up to assist, already in the baseline, adjusting his steps and crossing the ball to the near post.

Trezeguet, in a better position than Wright, seemed to have a higher chance of winning the header.

However, Trezeguet straightened his body as if to jump but ultimately did not. Instead, Wright, behind him, jumped high and headed the ball away.

Trezeguet's face was grim, and he began to jog out of the penalty area, his head down.

No one saw that he was gritting his teeth, as if enduring something.

Aldridge had high hopes for this attack. Millwall's coordination had been smooth from start to finish, and Trezeguet, by his positioning, had a good chance to score. If he had been pushed out by Wright, or failed to jump, or headed the ball wide, it would have been acceptable. But Trezeguet stood there, seemingly doing nothing from a distance!

Aldridge turned around, spreading his hands in confusion, showing a puzzled expression to his coaching staff.

The coaches, who had been leaning forward to watch the game, also sat back in disappointment. Faced with Aldridge's confusion, they shook their heads, indicating they didn't understand.

Trezeguet, who had scored a spectacular diving header at Old Trafford, had no reason to be timid at Anfield!

It was his fearless spirit that had secured his starting position for Aldridge.

Millwall and Liverpool were playing an open game, with neither side controlling the pace. The match's rhythm and fluidity were on par with Millwall's away game against Manchester United.

"Andy, this match is so captivating that it makes fans forget the passage of time, focusing entirely on the game. Liverpool and Millwall are playing an open, attacking style, but Liverpool's offensive methods are somewhat limited. Millwall's attacks are 99% brilliant, but they often fall short at the final moment."

"That's right. Liverpool's crosses from the wings are threatening, and they often create opportunities by attracting defenders with individual skills. However, I've noticed that Trezeguet is not in form today. He's attempting fewer headers and his movements to set up teammates are forced. He looks like he's sick, very weak, and not very active."

Aldridge's frown deepened. What was Trezeguet up to?

He's playing like a pile of shit!

There were no signs of illness before the match, and his mental state was good. What could have caused such a drastic drop in his performance?

Just as Aldridge's attention was still on Trezeguet, Liverpool launched a classic wing attack.

McManaman's 45-degree cross flew towards the far post of Millwall's goal, seemingly a pass and a shot. Goalkeeper Keller came out to punch the ball but misjudged it. In Aldridge's shocked gaze, the ball landed at the far post, where Fowler appeared, almost touching the post as he headed the ball into the goal. To avoid hitting the post, he twisted his body and fell outside the baseline.

"Goal! Robbie Fowler, Liverpool's golden boy, and McManaman have completed a well-coordinated play. This is a typical English goal, a cross from the wing, a forward lurking in the penalty area, and a goal. Millwall's goalkeeper Keller made a mistake, misjudging the ball's landing point. His attempt to punch the ball away failed, and he left the goal open for Fowler! Liverpool leads 1-0 at Anfield!"

The Liverpool fans erupted in cheers, celebrating Fowler's goal.

Aldridge closed his eyes in frustration on the sidelines.

Are you all ganging up on me today?

The forward is out of form, and the goalkeeper made a mistake. What's going on at both ends?

Of course, the goalkeeper's mistake might be due to his ability, and Aldridge didn't consider Keller the future first-choice goalkeeper for Millwall.

Shaking his head, he made a decision. If Keller's performance this season was poor, he would let the German Butt replace him.

Every decision by the coach must be convincing.

He couldn't bench Keller just because of one mistake. The fair way was to have a competition. If Keller performed poorly and Butt could play consistently, then Butt would start. If Butt also struggled, Aldridge would have to look for a new goalkeeper.

He was more concerned about Trezeguet.

His teammates on the field also noticed. After conceding the goal and returning to the halfway line for the restart, Larsson saw Trezeguet looking serious and sweating profusely. He asked quietly, "Hey, are you okay?"

Trezeguet shook his head without a word and kicked the ball directly when the referee blew the whistle.

Aldridge planned to talk to Trezeguet at halftime, as his performance had not improved in the five minutes after the restart.

However, just as the first half was approaching the 40th minute, Larsson's through ball to Trezeguet resulted in him falling in the penalty area after a sprint.

Liverpool's 32-year-old veteran Wright raised his hands, indicating he was innocent. He hadn't touched Trezeguet.

The referee stopped the game, intending to show Trezeguet a yellow card for diving, but he held back and instead signaled for the medical team to enter the field.

The meaning was clear: the doctor needed to come in!

Aldridge, hands on his hips, watched from the sidelines, guessing what had happened.

Trezeguet, clutching his right foot, shouted in pain, then lay down, covering his eyes, feeling extremely disappointed.

Last season, he had performed well for Millwall, and the club had given him a pay raise and a contract extension, making him an indispensable part of the starting lineup. He had gained the trust and favor of the coach, and he had a great year at Millwall.

In the summer, he had become a bit overconfident, indulging in excessive play and rich food. When the new season arrived, he scored in his first game but was substituted off after 60 minutes, knowing his physical condition couldn't keep up with the high-intensity matches.

So, he intensified his training in the gym, working harder than any of his teammates.

But yesterday, he accidentally twisted his foot. Worried that telling Aldridge would cost him his starting position, he kept it a secret and played through the pain. However, he couldn't run or jump at full strength, and his attention was often drawn to his aching right foot.

Larsson's pass was perfect. He just needed to sprint past Wright and take a shot to equalize, but he was too eager to make a difference. In that moment, he forgot about his injured foot, overexerted himself, and fell!

Now, it's all over!

The young Trezeguet even covered his face, not daring to look at anyone, including his teammates and the medical staff.

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