"You can drink and enjoy yourselves tonight, but take care of your bodies. We still have one more match to play."
"Lin, stick to soft drinks."
"No beer. It's bad for you."
At the evening celebration, held in a six-star hotel booked out entirely for the occasion, Mike took on the role of drink commander.
All three floors of the hotel had been reserved, and not just for Liverpool's first-team players.
Also invited were the first-team staff, the entire coaching staff, and all support personnel, including chefs and kit managers. Everyone was there. This was Mike's way of recognizing the entire Liverpool club, from top to bottom.
D'Lorenzo, the boot manager and a favorite among the players, not only took excellent care of their boots but also had an outstanding team-first personality.
He constantly lifted the mood in the dressing room, acting as a bridge between players and smoothing over interactions. He played a crucial role within the squad.
D'Lorenzo also oversaw the entire equipment team, making sure players could train and compete in boots that were always warm and ready.
No matter the material, he ensured every pair was soft enough, provided full ankle support, and minimized the risk of injury.
But perhaps because of all that effort, D'Lorenzo was the first to go down that night. Not long after, the Liverpool players were all flushed with excitement.
Even so, no one drank excessively. They still needed to stay in condition for the Champions League final.
The staff, however, were less restrained. One after another, they drank themselves into a stupor, immersed in pure happiness.
Three days later came Matchday 38 of the Premier League, the final round of the season.
Not a single Liverpool starter featured, and none were even named on the bench. Klopp sent out a fully rotated lineup made up entirely of squad players and academy prospects.
The match ended in a 0-0 draw, bringing Liverpool's Premier League campaign to a perfect close. The team then entered a short break to recover and prepare for the Champions League final.
The final would take place on June 1st, a date fans called the perfect Children's Day gift for football lovers of all ages.
Leo Lin settled into a simple routine, going back and forth between home and the club.
He left at 9 a.m. sharp each day for training at Liverpool, where he also underwent massages and various recovery treatments to restore his muscles. Most of the time, he caught a ride with Firmino or Salah.
Training ended at 4 p.m. After that, he would leave the club and join Barnett, Maria, and Delores to eat, drink, and unwind, enjoying a relaxed and easygoing lifestyle.
This routine lasted for a full week, the most relaxed week Leo Lin had experienced since joining the first team.
On May 26, the English football season wrap-up ceremony officially took place, with all Premier League clubs invited.
Most head coaches and key players confirmed their attendance. Fifteen players were present, including Liverpool's entire first-team squad.
Liverpool's chairman had already received word that the club would be the biggest winner of the night.
Expectations were high. At 8 p.m. European time on May 26, live broadcasts began simultaneously across major platforms.
In the ESPN commentary studio, Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, and Thierry Henry appeared as special guests, introducing the awards to viewers.
"Liverpool have won every domestic trophy this season, so they are bound to be the biggest winners tonight."
"I think many of the awards are already decided. Now it's just about enjoying the ceremony."
Gerrard watched on with anticipation, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
This year's awards ceremony was hosted by Chelsea legend Didier Drogba and Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp.
Dressed in elegant attire, the two stepped onto the stage. Every seat in the venue was filled, with Liverpool seated in the front row, slightly to the right of center.
To their left sat Manchester City, who finished second in the league.
Chelsea, who finished third, and Arsenal, who finished fourth, were seated in the second row. Manchester United, who finished sixth, had fewer attendees and were seated on the far right of the second row.
As the broadcast went live, the ceremony officially began.
The first award announced was the Young Player of the Season.
There was no suspense. Even before the result was revealed, chants of Leo Lin's name were already echoing through the venue.
Drogba did not drag it out. He casually opened the envelope and immediately announced the winner.
"Please welcome the winner of this season's Young Player of the Year!"
"Leo Lin!"
The crowd erupted in applause.
Leo Lin buttoned his suit jacket and rose to his feet. Beside him sat Maria, radiant in a black evening gown.
After exchanging high-fives with his teammates, he made his way quickly to the stage and accepted the trophy from Drogba.
He adjusted his suit and straightened his cuffs. The room fell silent as everyone waited for him to speak.
"Well, it's nothing too special. I've already won the Golden Boy award, so I'm not that excited."
The opening line drew laughter from the entire audience.
"Just kidding. I want to thank the English fans and the Football Writers' Association for voting me as this season's Premier League Young Player of the Year. It's a huge honor."
"I'm really happy to have achieved so much together with everyone at Liverpool. This is a moment I'll remember for the rest of my life."
"Thank you all for your support."
Leo Lin kept it brief, as Mike had already told him he would be collecting more than one individual award tonight.
He left the stage to loud applause. Next up was the Premier League MVP award.
The big screen displayed the three finalists: Agüero, Mané, and Leo Lin.
Drogba smiled as he opened the envelope. After glancing at the name, he nodded with mock surprise.
"I now announce the winner of this season's Premier League MVP award!"
"And the winner is!!!"
...
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