Gao Bo also received the starting lineup for Liverpool, and he was silent as he looked at the names on it.
Although Liverpool fans might not be satisfied with the team's performance this season, they blamed it on the team not making any big signings this season.
After a relatively successful 07-08 season, Benitez did not make large-scale adjustments to the existing lineup—besides being restricted by the transfer budget, Benitez was also relatively satisfied with the current lineup of the Reds. During the summer transfer window before the start of this season, Liverpool was very quiet. They only signed Degen from Dortmund, and then signed Italian international SoSeina from Udinese for seven million. The forward Robbie Keane, who was signed from Tottenham for nineteen million, only stayed at Liverpool for half a season before returning to Tottenham. In addition, Liverpool also signed the young center forward Enge from Paris Saint-Germain, the Spanish winger Riera, and Gulacsi, the current main goalkeeper of Leipzig.
In terms of transfers out, some meritorious players left one after another. Riise, the defender with a knack for scoring, went to Roma at a bargain price. Letalle finally failed to prove himself and returned to Le Mans. Australian Kewell transferred to Galatasaray on a free transfer. Crouch transferred to Portsmouth, and Finnan went to Spain.
Judging from the transfers alone, Liverpool let go of a group of meritorious players and then bought some players who could not be used immediately, so the fans were very dissatisfied with the team's transfer operations.
However, in Gao Bo's eyes, the starting lineup that Benitez has put out can be said to be the most powerful lineup Liverpool has had in the last twenty years.
Although goalkeeper Reina's form has declined this season, he is still much better than Mignolet later on. As for the central defender combination, Skrtel has recovered from his injury in time. His partnership with Carragher may be much better than Agger and Carragher. The right back is Arbeloa, a player who was later bought by Real Madrid, and the left back is Aurelio.
If Liverpool's defense line is considered ordinary among the Premier League powerhouses, then Liverpool's midfield combination is quite luxurious even in the whole of Europe!
Liverpool's midfield triangle has a clear division of labor. Xabi Alonso is the team's metronome, Mascherano is more responsible for defensive interception, while Gerrard is more forward and participates in the attack. His long shots and ability to organize the attack in the attacking midfielder position are enough to support Liverpool's offensive firepower—especially when there is a super center forward like Torres in front. On Liverpool's flanks, Riera and Kuyt are also quite sharp.
In Gao Bo's view, this lineup is enough to compete for the Champions League title. Compared with the increasingly mediocre player structure of Liverpool in the next few seasons, this lineup can be regarded as the sunshine before the darkness.
.....
"Actually, the runner-up can also participate in the Europa League."
Linsen stood next to Gao Bo, looking at Gao Bo's seemingly serious face and said.
Gao Bo turned around: "I know."
"But so what? Winning this championship and making this season perfect is our goal!"
Linsen nodded. Many football coaches are perfectionists, so he was not surprised that Gao Bo said this.
"Liverpool is not easy to deal with..."
Gao Bo said with a solemn expression at this time.
When the players' footsteps sounded outside the door, Gao Bo immediately changed back to his confident appearance.
Now the players are a little nervous instead.
After returning from the warm-up, the players became quiet... a little too quiet.
Gao Bo noticed this information. Before going to warm up, the players were still energetic, but at this moment, as the game got closer and closer, the players became a little silent instead.
The players are nervous!
Gao Bo immediately made a judgment.
For a League Two team like Luton, none of the players here have any experience in playing in a final!
And what about their opponent Liverpool?
Two seasons ago, Liverpool even reversed Milan to win the Champions League title after being three goals behind in Istanbul!
There is no way to compare the two sides in terms of final experience.
So as the final got closer and closer, the players started thinking too much.
Gao Bo clapped his hands, signaling everyone to look at him.
He was going to speak.
"Is anyone afraid of Liverpool?"
Gao Bo asked.
The players looked up and looked at their coach.
"If anyone is afraid, please raise your hand!"
Gao Bo continued.
Of course, no one raised their hand in the dressing room. Obviously, raising your hand now would be admitting that you are a coward?
"I said we are going to win the FA Cup!"
Gao Bo's eyes were firm. He said it calmly, revealing unquestionable self-confidence in his words.
"I'm not just saying it casually!!"
"We can beat Liverpool!! Just like we beat Chelsea! Beat Manchester City! Beat Arsenal!!!"
The players gradually straightened their backs. The games that the coach mentioned were all moments worth remembering forever for the players.
Victory is easy to become addictive...
"Does everyone remember Liverpool losing to Chelsea at home?"
Gao Bo stretched out three fingers, "Three goals! Liverpool conceded three goals to Chelsea!!"
"They were eliminated from the Champions League because of this!"
"And what about us? We won Chelsea two to zero! We didn't let Chelsea score a single goal!!"
The confidence on Gao Bo's face became even more aggressive. His cold gaze swept over everyone in the dressing room. The players felt as if their skin was about to be pierced by the coach's gaze!
"We can beat Chelsea! Then we can also beat Liverpool!!!!"
Some players opened their mouths. There is no logic to a football match. It doesn't mean that Luton won Chelsea, Chelsea won Liverpool, so Luton won Liverpool—a football match is not a simple mathematical calculation.
"I'm saying this not to quibble. Because football is not a math problem!!"
Gao Bo's eyes were burning, "But! This at least shows! That we are not completely at a disadvantage when facing Liverpool! We can threaten their goal!! Can score goals!! Similarly, our defense is solid enough!! Drogba didn't score against us either! Did he!!!!"
At this time, the players didn't doubt it... They nodded frequently.
"Our ten consecutive days of closed training were not for coming to Wembley to play a friendly match with Liverpool!!!!"
Gao Bo's voice suddenly increased in volume!
"We have carefully prepared a lot of things, ready to let Liverpool have a good taste! Let them see how powerful we are!!!!"
"In any case!! We have to bring something back from Wembley!!"
"I hope it's the FA Cup trophy!!!!"
"We are not for anything else!!"
Gao Bo walked to the middle of the players and raised his fist.
"We fight for the championship!!!!"
Gao Bo's tone and actions were a bit chuunibyou, but in such an atmosphere, he still successfully stirred up the emotions of the players!
"We fight for the championship!!!!"
The players raised their arms.
Their fists pointed straight to the sky, as if they could punch a hole in the sky!!!!