The night sky, decorated by the flashing lights on the plane's wings, looked especially beautiful as Liverpool's private jet passed over Anfield.
The players were home.
They had come home with five championship trophies.
Mike had prepared a grand welcome ceremony at Anfield to greet the Liverpool players on their return.
More importantly, Liverpool were about to display those five championship trophies in front of every Premier League team. With the new season about to begin, it felt more like Liverpool were showing off their arsenal.
Due to special circumstances, the English Football Association announced that the Community Shield final would be postponed and was expected to be played around the tenth round of the Premier League.
Some reports claimed it was an issue with the sponsors, though no one knew the exact reason. As a result, Liverpool gained more rest time and could fully focus on preparing for the Premier League.
The Community Shield was contested between the previous season's Premier League champion and cup winner. If both titles belonged to the same team, then the Premier League's top two sides would compete for it. ... September 1, Anfield.
The first round of the Premier League was about to begin, with Liverpool facing West Ham United.
The pre match ceremony was underway, and five championship trophies were being displayed at Anfield.
Liverpool's first team players stood in front of the five trophies, enjoying the cheers from everyone in the stadium.
Set against the glow of those five trophies, the players seemed to have gained an extra boost.
Their soaring morale and powerful momentum quickly allowed Liverpool to take control on the pitch.
West Ham United's attacking plan was simple. Play long balls to Arnautović, then activate Anderson and Antonio lurking behind him to create shooting chances.
But that approach did not have much effect against Liverpool, because Van Dijk's outstanding aerial ability handled it perfectly.
Once Arnautović disappeared from the game, West Ham United's attack fell into a dead end.
"Salah drives forward down the wing and reaches the byline."
"One on one. It's still Salah."
"He shoots."
"Great goal!"
"Salah opens the scoring for Liverpool!" ... "Mané carries the ball. There's a huge amount of space on the left. One on one, and he beats Fredericks."
"Cutback."
"Firmino controls it. He doesn't shoot."
"He lays it back. Leo Lin is at the top of the box."
"Placed shot."
"Beautiful."
"Leo Lin scores. Firmino with the assist. Liverpool add another goal."
The first half had not even ended, and Liverpool were already two goals ahead.
In the second half, substitute Shaqiri showed off his excellent form. He produced a brilliant move on the wing, beating three players in a row, then powered forward on those thick legs of his to assist Firmino's goal, fixing the score at 3-0.
No one had expected West Ham United to suffer such a heavy defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League opener.
But Liverpool's show was far from over.
On September 5, against Crystal Palace, a side known for physical battles and defensive counterattack football, Palace conceded four goals in 90 minutes. They were torn apart by Liverpool, their defensive line ripped to pieces.
Leo Lin produced two assists, contributing to three goals across two matches. He was in scorching form.
Firmino also delivered two assists, while Mané and Salah each scored twice.
After that, the major media outlets all focused their coverage on Liverpool's powerful start.
"Liverpool Begin Premier League Campaign with Two Straight Wins, Seven Goals Scored, None Conceded!"
"Brighton Manager Claims He Is Confident in Stopping Liverpool's Excellent Form!" ... "Liverpool Thrash Brighton 5-1. Van Dijk Scores Two Headers and Nets His First Liverpool Goal, Leo Lin Records One Goal and One Assist, Salah Scores a Brace!"
"Leicester City Manager Claims Their Goal at Anfield Against Liverpool Is to Take All Three Points!" ... "Liverpool Beat Leicester City 4-1. Only Mignolet's World of Injury Came True, as He Once Again Lost His Clean Sheet Bonus!"
"Leo Lin Scores a Brace. Four Goals and Three Assists in Four Premier League Matches, Directly Creating Seven Goals and Producing the Best Start of His Career!"
"Salah Scores in Consecutive Premier League Matches, Netting Six Goals in the First Four Rounds to Lead the Premier League Golden Boot Race!"
On September 12, after the fourth round of the Premier League ended, Liverpool had won all four matches, scoring 16 goals and conceding only two. They sat firmly at the top of the Premier League table.
Behind them, Manchester City had also won four from four but ranked second due to goal difference. Tottenham Hotspur had made the best start in club history, also winning all four and sitting third.
Arsenal were fourth with three wins and one draw. Manchester United were fifth with three wins and one draw. Chelsea were sixth with three wins and one defeat.
The media's attention was completely fixed on Liverpool's explosive form. Sixteen goals in four matches was simply terrifying.
On September 15, the first major clash of the Premier League's fifth round would see Tottenham face Liverpool. Only the winner could continue leading the Premier League table.
For such a crucial match, Klopp gave every player a day off before the game. ... September 13.
Leo Lin carried a bottle of red wine, one he had just borrowed from Mike's house.
It was a sunny Friday, and Leo Lin planned to visit Barnett for a casual chat.
Just as he arrived outside the gate to Barnett's yard, a fierce argument suddenly reached his ears. It was Delores's voice.
There was also the voice of a young man Leo Lin had never heard before.
"Give me another 100,000!"
"Hurry up!"
Delores's voice was already trembling with tears.
"Just leave. We won't give you another penny."
"You won't?"
"If you don't, I'll smash everything in this house!"
Leo Lin pushed the gate open and walked in. Delores's eyes were red, and standing in front of her was a young man who looked about twenty eight or twenty nine.
When she saw Leo Lin, Delores looked a little panicked.
"Is there anything I can help with?" Leo Lin asked Delores.
Delores quickly shook her head.
"Please, Leo Lin. Barnett will be back soon."
"Don't get involved in this. Please. I'm fine."
The young man had clearly recognized Leo Lin, but his face was filled with contempt.
"This has nothing to do with you. Get lost!"
Leo Lin had been speaking to Delores, but after hearing that, he slowly turned his head. His dark, cold gaze made the young man's scalp prickle.
"Just now..."
"Were you talking to me?"