"I promise you—I'd rather eat ten doughnuts drenched in honey syrup than lose to Manchester United tomorrow."
August 21. The pre-match tactical meeting—also Klopp's favorite moment to fire everyone up.
He thumped his chest and made a solemn vow to the entire squad: he absolutely refused to lose this match.
Klopp had a habit of announcing the next day's starting lineup during these meetings. Sitting in the front row, Leo Lin felt a flicker of nerves. He couldn't help wondering whether Klopp would keep him in the starting eleven.
Based on his standout performances in the previous two matches, any manager should give him a start. But the timing was unfortunate—it was the North West Derby, and Mourinho had been running his mouth in the media.
Leo Lin worried Klopp might think Mourinho's comments had affected his mindset and decide to keep him on the bench. But Klopp's thinking was the complete opposite.
After watching Mourinho's press conference, Klopp—who had still been hesitating—slammed the table and made an immediate decision.
Leo Lin had to start.
He understood young players. And he understood Leo Lin even better.
From their very first meeting, Leo Lin's calm, unyielding demeanor had told Klopp everything he needed to know. No amount of trash talk could break this kid.
Mourinho's words would only stoke the fire burning inside him.
And that was precisely why Klopp locked in Leo Lin as a starter.
When Klopp turned and projected the starting lineup onto the screen, Leo Lin finally let out a long breath when he saw his name.
Klopp had been right. Leo Lin had been holding something back.
Ever since watching Mourinho's press conference and hearing those provocative remarks, an unnamed fire had been burning in his chest—growing from a spark into a roaring flame.
Klopp slapped the projected lineup and raised his voice.
"I will keep adjusting based on your performances in training and matches. Everyone has a chance to earn a starting spot—I promise you that."
"But this starting eleven is the result of careful consideration by Krawietz and me."
"I trust you completely. All I need from you is maximum courage, maximum passion, and maximum imagination on the pitch. Execute our tactics!"
"Win the match!"
"We need goals! Goals! More goals!"
"And then defense! Defense! More defense!"
...
August 22. ESPN live broadcast.
Old Trafford—Manchester United's home ground.
Jon Champion and Jim Beglin were already in position.
When the broadcast feed went live, some viewers briefly thought they had tuned into the wrong channel—
Until they heard that familiar voice.
"Fans, you're watching the Premier League's second round—the headline clash of the North West Derby!"
"Liverpool versus Manchester United!"
"The stadium you see on screen, shrouded in red smoke, is Manchester United's home ground."
"One of the oldest and most iconic stadiums in England—Old Trafford!"
From the aerial broadcast view, thick smoke drifted above Old Trafford, set off by Manchester United supporters.
Fans watching at home were confused, but Liverpool supporters inside the stadium felt nothing but anger.
The match hadn't even begun, yet United fans had already launched a barrage of mockery and abuse.
Both sets of supporters hurled vicious chants at one another.
Manchester United fans:
"What are you? A bunch of losers who've never won a single Premier League title!"
Liverpool fans:
"What are you without Ferguson? You're just outsiders in Manchester! The sky over Manchester will always be blue!"
At that moment, Leo Lin sat in the dressing room as the stadium itself seemed to tremble with the fury of the crowd.
Before even stepping onto the pitch, Liverpool's players could already feel Old Trafford's unique intensity.
Klopp said nothing, but his eyes conveyed absolute trust as he looked at his players.
Krawietz stood at the dressing-room entrance, high-fiving and hugging each starter as they filed into the tunnel.
Leo Lin entered last, standing at the back of the line. To his right was Manchester United's Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgian striker radiated confidence, casting a dismissive glance toward Leo Lin.
Jon Champion began introducing the lineups.
"Fans, let's take a look at Manchester United's starting eleven. Mourinho lines up in his favored 4-2-3-1—a classic defensive counterattacking setup."
"Goalkeeper: David de Gea."
"Defenders: Darmian, Jones, Smalling, Valencia."
"Double pivot: Matic and Herrera."
"Left side Martial, right side Ashley Young, with Mkhitaryan in the number ten role."
"And Lukaku leads the line."
Live chat exploded.
"We've got the best young striker in the world—Lukaku! His finishing is elite!"
"Look at our stacked bench—Lingard, and the super winger Rashford!"
"Who can stop this attack? Who?!!"
"Now Liverpool," Jon Champion continued. "Klopp goes with a 4-3-3."
"Goalkeeper: Mignolet."
"Defenders: Moreno, Lovren, Matip, Alexander-Arnold."
"Midfield: Wijnaldum, Henderson, Leo Lin."
"Up front: Mané, Firmino, Salah."
The chat fired back instantly.
"Your flashy attack? Has our trident even spoken yet?!"
"Smash those United scum!"
"I'm in seat 102 of the North Stand at Old Trafford. Three United fans are surrounding me. Requesting backup! Requesting backup!"
Riot police quickly moved in. Multiple officers and security staff flooded Old Trafford, deterring extremist fans on both sides and preventing violent incidents.
Referee Martin Atkinson led both teams onto the pitch.
The battle was about to begin.
Leo Lin could clearly feel the hostility in the eyes of the Manchester United players.
Both teams took their positions. Liverpool kicked off.
The stadium fell silent in an instant—everyone holding their breath.
Atkinson blew the whistle.
The match was underway.
Firmino played it back. Henderson took possession and looked to pass to Leo Lin—
When Lukaku came charging in like a missile!
His shoulder slammed brutally into Henderson's.
Atkinson immediately blew for a foul and issued a verbal warning. Lukaku grabbed his head with both hands, wearing an innocent expression—but this was only the opening signal.
Once play resumed, heavy collisions and cries of pain echoed nonstop.
Barely eight minutes in, Atkinson had already called four fouls.
"Leo Lin receives the ball centrally, tries to turn—and he's fouled again!"
"Matic pushes Leo Lin from behind!"
Leo Lin staggered forward, nearly losing possession.
The whistle sounded immediately.
Spotting Salah already sprinting down the right flank, Leo Lin took a quick free kick.
Salah brought the ball down with his chest. Before he could break forward, Ashley Young tracked back and smashed into him with a brutal challenge, sending Salah flying.
That was enough.
Leo Lin was the first to explode.
He sprinted at Ashley Young, grabbing him by the collar, mouth wide open as if he were ready to tear into him.
Lukaku, Mkhitaryan, and others rushed in to pull Leo Lin away—only to realize just how hard that was.
Liverpool players surged forward. A mass confrontation erupted.
Chaos engulfed the pitch.
Red smoke thickened above Old Trafford, the air filled with the acrid smell of smoke.
Watching the scene unfold, Jon Champion couldn't help but exclaim,
"This—this is a true blood battle!"
"Fans, take it in—this is the raw, unfiltered charm of top-level football!"
...
(60 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser