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"Attack!"
"Attack relentlessly!"
"I know this is Anfield, but we have no reason to fear anything. We came here to take back the top spot!"
Guardiola switched on the projector. The top trending comment on the screen was Barnett's jab at him.
"That little brat actually mocked us before the match—said the bald man's going down!"
"A man can be killed, but he cannot be humiliated!"
"Tomorrow at Anfield, we go head-to-head with Liverpool!"
"We use our new tactics and show them what real football looks like!"
At the pre-match tactical meeting, Guardiola pulled out every trick he could think of.
He racked his brains so hard it was as if hair might actually start growing back—anything to fire up his squad. In his mind, this was a match they simply could not lose. Even a draw was unacceptable for Manchester City.
This was a straight fight for first place. Whoever won between City and Liverpool would sit on top.
If it ended level, Liverpool would remain leaders. For Pep Guardiola, there was only one option: win.
He stayed up all night studying. In truth, ever since arriving in the Premier League, he had been developing a particular tactical system.
With recent training sessions showing steady improvement, Guardiola believed Manchester City were finally ready to execute it. The squad, too, had gradually evolved into the right shape.
He had built this system for moments like this—for the decisive push in a title race.
The entire football world was talking about the match, and much of the spotlight was on Pep Guardiola. He had arrived at Manchester City amid enormous expectations, spending freely to reshape the squad.
England's young center-back John Stones. The Belgian maestro Kevin De Bruyne, widely regarded as the template for the modern attacking midfielder. Raheem Sterling, prised away from Liverpool.
Add to that Leroy Sané on the wing and powerhouse right-back Kyle Walker—Manchester City had undergone a complete transformation.
February 15th. At Anfield, Liverpool fans marched into the stadium singing "You'll Never Walk Alone." The air trembled with anticipation as the crowd awaited the final showdown.
Streams went live across platforms. Countless online viewers poured in to watch this top-of-the-table clash.
In the ESPN livestream, the familiar pairing of Jon Champion and Jim Beglin introduced the starting lineups.
"Manchester City's squad is absolutely stacked," Jon Champion began. "There's hardly a weak spot anywhere—superstars in every department."
"Both teams submitted their lineups two hours early. For Manchester City, in goal, the Brazilian Ederson—a modern-style goalkeeper."
"Some fans have questioned his shot-stopping since he arrived, but his footwork and distribution are outstanding."
"At left-back, Danilo. On the right, England's highly rated Kyle Walker."
"The center-back pairing: the aggressive Argentine Otamendi alongside John Stones, formerly of Everton."
"In midfield, Fernandinho anchors the side."
"To the left, Leo Lin's Spain national teammate David Silva—one of the finest midfielders of his generation. On the right, Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne, considered the textbook example of the modern attacking midfielder."
"Up front, Leroy Sané on the left, Raheem Sterling on the right."
"And leading the line, Sergio Agüero—who could very well become the Premier League's all-time hat-trick king."
After the introductions, Jim Beglin weighed in.
"Without question, Liverpool have to keep a close eye on Agüero. He's just too dangerous."
The chat exploded:
"No doubt, that's the strongest lineup in the league right now."
"On paper alone, City should tear Liverpool apart."
"I'm worried about Liverpool's back line. Can they really handle that attack?"
Jon Champion then turned to Liverpool's lineup.
"Liverpool are fielding their strongest available eleven as well. In goal, Mignolet."
"At left-back, Robertson. Notably, the attack-minded but defensively suspect Arnold is on the bench, with Joe Gomez starting on the right. The center-back pairing is Lovren and Matip."
"In midfield, two sit deeper—Emre Can alongside Henderson—with Leo Lin pushed furthest forward."
"On the left wing, Mané. On the right, Salah. Through the middle, Firmino—the fearsome Red Arrow Trio."
"Some fans have even started grouping Leo Lin with them, calling it the 'Red Arrow Quartet.' Not exactly the most creative nickname, I have to say."
This wasn't a bitter rivalry—just two title contenders locked in direct competition. If anything, there was a mutual respect between giants.
The Anfield crowd erupted. This was their fortress. Liverpool fans were not about to welcome Manchester City with open arms.
In a clash like this, against opposition like that, Leo Lin swept his gaze across the stands. Faces twisted with excitement. A wall of sound crashing down from every direction.
The stadium roared with Liverpool's anthem.
His blood surged. He just wanted to burst forward.
Moments later, the match kicked off.
Manchester City started with the ball. Agüero had just laid it back when he suddenly sensed a blur streak past him.
Leo Lin.
The Phantom Bulldozer had begun his charge.
At the same time, Liverpool pushed up as a unit. The high press was on.
Klopp knew City would rely on a possession-based system. The best way to stop it was to suffocate it at the source.
"From the opening rhythm, Liverpool are clearly pressing high, trying to prevent City from building from the back," Jon Champion observed.
"The great Johan Cruyff once said that possession creates goals and fears no other system."
Liverpool aimed to suffocate City's build-up with an ultra-high press. But Leo Lin quickly realized that no matter how aggressively he and the Red Arrow Trio hunted, they simply couldn't win the ball.
City's circulation at the back was rock solid.
More strikingly, their defenders weren't behaving like traditional defenders at all—they seemed to be everywhere.
Whenever one stepped forward, another immediately tucked inside to form a new center-back pairing. The shape kept shifting, constantly reforming.
A tactical structure no one had seen before was unfolding.
"Manchester City's new setup is allowing them to completely dictate the tempo of possession."
"I've never seen anything quite like it."
Even Jim Beglin sounded stunned.
"What kind of tactic is this?"
"Could it be…"
...
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