All eyes were locked onto Leo Lin. Some fans even waved laser pointers, repeatedly sweeping them across his face.
"Laser pointer interference—absolutely disgraceful behavior!"
"Liverpool fans are in uproar. The referee has stopped the match and is ordering riot police to remove the fans using laser pointers!"
Klopp raged on the touchline until the referee finally halted play.
Klopp chose Leo Lin to take the penalty because he knew that a truly top-class superstar had to go through moments like this.
Opportunities like these didn't come often. This was the best possible test—growth forged under pressure.
Krawietz still looked uneasy.
"Boss… what if—just what if—"
"What if Lin doesn't score?"
"Wouldn't that be too big a blow for him?"
"What if this penalty costs him confidence instead? Wouldn't that mean we've done more harm than good?"
Klopp shook his head. He had already considered that possibility. He also understood that it was part of the choice.
"If he wants to become a truly elite superstar, he has to face moments like this. Do you understand?"
"If he misses… I know this sounds cruel, but Lin might be losing his chance to grow into a truly historic-level superstar."
Only after the laser pointers disappeared did the match resume.
Leo Lin stood over the ball, preparing to take the penalty—one that would have a decisive impact on how the match unfolded.
"All of Liverpool's hopes rest on Leo Lin right now. He steps up to the spot as Manchester City players try to distract him."
Otamendi covered his mouth, quietly hurling abuse at Leo Lin.
Leo Lin simply glanced at him, then casually tossed the ball high into the air. His face showed nothing but confidence and ease.
He felt no nerves at all—only certainty.
He carefully placed the ball, positioning the valve slightly below center.
The referee blew the whistle.
"Beep!!!"
Just watching Leo Lin's run-up made Liverpool fans' palms slick with sweat.
Goosebumps spread across the stands as everyone waited for the outcome.
On the bench, Klopp could barely breathe, covering his eyes.
Assistant coach Krawietz half-covered his face too, peeking through his fingers from time to time, clearly torn between watching and not watching.
Leo Lin fixed his gaze on the goal and took two steps into his run-up.
Everyone thought he would strike it straight away—Ederson included.
But Leo Lin suddenly added a small hop just before the shot!
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the goalkeeper shift his weight early, diving to his left.
Leo Lin calmly rolled the ball to the keeper's right, sending it cleanly into the net!
After scoring, Leo Lin stood perfectly still, lifting the Liverpool crest on his chest high for everyone to see.
Head held high, back straight.
A proud, domineering celebration—displaying the badge with absolute authority.
The stadium exploded. Teammates rushed toward Leo Lin from every direction to celebrate.
Krawietz threw his arms around Klopp, the two hugging tightly.
Across major broadcasts:
"That's what real quality looks like—true nerves of steel!"
"It's unreal. How does he stay that calm for a penalty of this magnitude?"
"He even added a little hop. If you mess that up, you're asking for disaster."
The players swarmed around Leo Lin, but he remained standing tall, chin raised, still wearing that aloof, unbothered expression.
When play resumed, Liverpool took the lead. Manchester City pushed everyone forward, but Liverpool's aggressive high press combined with relentless wing play left City physically and mentally exhausted.
Especially Leo Lin in the middle—after scoring the penalty, his defensive disruption in central areas intensified dramatically.
The 75th minute!
"Manchester City are still trying to find chances through ball control."
"Walker surges forward down the right. Walker is England's supercar—his pace—"
Jim Beglin was about to praise Walker's speed when he noticed Leo Lin, tracking back on the flank and glued tightly to him.
As Walker accelerated, Leo Lin somehow stayed right with him. On the third stride, he muscled Walker aside and won the ball cleanly!
Walker stared at Leo Lin in disbelief. This was the first time his attempt to simply overpower an opponent had met such resistance.
"Dispossessed!!!"
"Walker's strength as a full-back lies in how well his speed and physicality complement each other."
"But against Leo Lin, he seems to lose out in both strength and Explosiveness!"
Leo Lin was like a tireless sweeper, sprinting relentlessly through the middle of the pitch.
Time ticked away, and Manchester City grew more and more desperate.
But Guardiola still couldn't find a breakthrough—Klopp's tactical system was airtight.
The 85th minute!
"De Bruyne squeezes a pass through to David Silva."
"David Silva controls, turns, and slides a through ball!"
"Aguero blasts it from a tight angle—this one doesn't go in!"
"Mignolet makes a brilliant save at the near post!"
"A superb stop!"
"Mignolet to the rescue!"
Liverpool were outstanding across the board.
Anyone could see that Manchester City were out of answers. As the final moments drained away, the referee blew for full time.
"Beep,"
"Beep."
"Beep!!!"
Jon Champion's voice rang out with emotion!
"It's all over!!!"
"Liverpool defeat Manchester City at home! Klopp storms onto the pitch, embracing his players in celebration!"
"Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola walks toward the tunnel with a dark expression. He'll be deeply unhappy with this defeat, as Manchester City fall just short of the EFL Cup final!"
"In this match, Leo Lin was flawless. He not only scored the winning penalty but also repeatedly snuffed out danger at the back, becoming the biggest reason behind Liverpool's victory."
The broadcast cut to Leo Lin, who looked remarkably calm.
Leo Lin knew the battle wasn't over yet. A true final showdown still awaited Liverpool.
He remained composed—but the legends who had watched the match were anything but.
The Premier League's official account released a headline the moment the final whistle blew:
"The Premier League is honored to announce a special program featuring 15 Premier League legends, reviewing the semifinal performances of the four Premier League teams!"
Fans immediately flooded the comments.
"High EQ: semifinal performance analysis. Low EQ: a legends' praise conference!"
"Already booked the stream—love to watch, can't wait!"
"Let me see it! Hurry up, let me watch!"
...
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