No one knew how many photos the beautiful photographer took that night. All anyone knew was that when the Hair Styling Agent official website released its announcement, only a single photo was posted.
It was the very first shot taken at the start of the shoot. In the picture, Leo Lin held up the Hair Styling Agent, his polished professional smile and well-defined muscular lines perfectly setting off the product in his hand.
Fans immediately flooded the Hair Styling Agent website, liking and sharing the image in droves.
To the brand's surprise, online sales did indeed rise after the announcement—but most of the purchases came from women.
They had originally planned to use Leo Lin's sex appeal and masculine charm to attract more male customers. Instead, they gradually realized they had unintentionally opened up an entirely new sales channel.
Before long, Leo Lin's endorsement photo spread rapidly across English social media.
Like a virus, the image went everywhere, with countless female fans staring at their screens and practically drooling.
Several football media outlets, including Sky Sports, reposted the photo that had ignited heated discussion across the internet, adding a caption of their own:
"Want to know what real masculine charm looks like? Just look at this!"
The buzz quickly reached his teammates as well. On August 31, Leo Lin had just stepped onto the training ground when Mané immediately opened his arms and went to hug him.
"Teach me how to get that kind of masculine charm, Leo. I'm willing to pay tuition."
Beside them, Salah grabbed Leo Lin's arm tightly, while Firmino came up from behind and put him in a playful chokehold.
"Hurry up and tell me how to win a girl's heart. I've got my eye on two models lately."
Leo Lin froze and turned to stare at Firmino.
"Two?"
"You little bastard."
Firmino ignored him completely, clinging on and refusing to let go.
Leo Lin could only smile helplessly, wrapping an arm around Firmino.
"I just shot an endorsement ad. I don't know how to pick up girls. I'm a loyal, good man."
He genuinely didn't know what to say, though he was starting to notice that the women around him seemed to be drawn toward him as if by some magnetic force.
Klopp soon arrived at the training ground to begin tactical training.
After the pre-training warm-up, the players grew serious, fully focused on their preparations.
In the fourth round of the Premier League, Liverpool were set to face another traditional Big Six powerhouse—Arsenal.
Fans often nicknamed them "Fourth-Place Arsenal," a jab rooted in the club's long-standing financial constraints. In order to renovate the stadium and keep the books balanced, Arsenal had frequently been forced to sell off key players just to maintain normal operations.
As a result, the team's competitiveness was hard to sustain.
Even so, under Professor Wenger's steady leadership, Arsenal consistently finished fourth in the league, just enough to secure Champions League qualification.
Champions League qualification meant Champions League matches, and Champions League matches meant significant additional income.
So "Fourth-Place Arsenal" was never really an insult. On the contrary, it was a form of praise for Wenger, who guided the club through difficult years.
After all, consistently finishing fourth in a league as demanding as the Premier League, especially with limited investment, was an incredibly difficult achievement.
This season, Arsenal were in excellent form as well, winning their first three league matches. Due to goal difference, they sat third in the table.
Facing Liverpool, who were also at the top, many fans joked:
"Hopefully Liverpool beat Arsenal and send them back to where they belong."
Klopp never underestimated Arsenal. He knew just how strong this team could be.
That was why, during pre-match training, Klopp pointed at his head—almost as if to prove he'd washed his hair that day—and unveiled a brand-new tactical idea.
"My brain has recorded every attacking tactic I've studied since becoming a coach, and I'm very confident in it."
"Today, we'll rehearse a new attacking system. Alongside our trademark high-intensity pressing, we'll target Arsenal with half-space penetration down the flanks!"
Half-space penetration was one of the most iconic attacking tactics in football.
It required wingers with outstanding ball control and dribbling ability, as well as fullbacks capable of making powerful overlapping runs.
Liverpool fit both requirements perfectly.
Left-back Robertson and right-back Arnold—across the entire Premier League, who could match these two in terms of assists and attacking threat?
On the wings, Mané on the left and Salah on the right. Klopp could confidently ask any other Premier League side: whose wide players were sharper than these two at their peak?
After careful study, Klopp and Krawietz concluded that half-space penetration was the most suitable tactic for this Liverpool side. The new system took shape.
To make it work, Klopp needed a commanding midfielder who could control possession in the center, accurately distribute the ball to the flanks, and push the entire formation forward.
The final choice was, naturally, Leo Lin.
"Once the flanks break through and create space, we can look for Firmino, or pull the ball back for other teammates, creating shooting chances for everyone in the box."
"Our attacks must always have more than one direction. Don't focus only on the penalty area—that limits your vision."
"High balls, arcing crosses, and low cut-backs along the ground are all ways we can break through the opponent's goal!"
With the new tactical direction confirmed, Liverpool immediately threw themselves into intense training.
Meanwhile, Arsenal were also preparing at full speed.
On September 1, live broadcasts opened simultaneously around the world, including Sky Sports and ESPN.
Every major stream was packed with online viewers, all eager to watch this marquee clash in the fourth round of the Premier League.
"When we talk about Arsenal, we always think of beautiful football," Jim Beglin said in the ESPN broadcast as he looked over Arsenal's starting lineup.
"Arsenal have submitted their starting eleven. Lacazette, Ramsey, Sanchez, Xhaka, Welbeck—all the key players are starting."
"They excel at quick passing and possession-based play, using sharp forward movement and rapid counterattacks to slice open defenses and score beautiful goals."
"You can never afford to relax against Arsenal. In extremely tight spaces and in the shortest moments, they can decide a match. Their combinations are dazzling—just watching them can leave you feeling helpless!"
"On the other side, Liverpool are also fielding their strongest lineup."
"A devastating attacking trio, supported by Henderson, Emre Can, and Leo Lin."
"Coupled with two highly offensive fullbacks, their overall strength is just as formidable."
"So who will win this blockbuster showdown and stay at the top of the table?"
"Let's wait and see!!!"