In the past game time, Braniff was the most active player, he single-handedly caused enough problems for the Liverpool defence, and the goal was also an assist for Braniff to get rid of, and Liverpool certainly knew that Braniff should be limited.

But how?

Just like all the teams that play against AC Milan know that they need to limit Kaka, all the teams that play against Barcelona know that they need to limit Ronaldo Tinho, or the current youngster Messi, all the teams that play against Manchester United also know to limit C-Ronaldo.

There is no doubt that the stars mentioned above have performed quite well, so ...... Most teams have failed.

So far, Liverpool have realised that they should limit Braniff's play, but they don't know how to do so, and perhaps importantly, they are not prepared for the game.

Braniff was astonishing.

The outside media are constantly reporting on Braniff's excellence, but Liverpool don't care too much, the media always exaggerates, some players play well, they are touted as if they have become the king of the ball, but in fact, they only score a few more goals, or in some important games, the performance is more outstanding than others.

Outstanding performance does not mean outstanding strength.

Liverpool admit that they still have a certain understanding of Millwall, and they don't think that Braniff personally will cause much trouble to the team's defence, and should pay attention to Millwall's overall cooperation in the middle, not a single player.

Liverpool's performance against Braniff was completely unprepared.

That's the problem.

Braniff's footwork, superb and almost able to embroider, he broke through with the ball again and again, and threatened Liverpool's defense again and again.

When professional football enters the 21st century, the role of the head coach becomes more important, the game is more focused on the cooperation between players, and the individual heroism is greatly reduced, but there is no doubt that a single player's dribbling is the best way to attack.

The above is about the threat of Braniff.

Liverpool were unprepared for Branifer's performance and it was difficult for them to change their defence because the pre-match defensive preparation was holistic, with a spread of positioning and looking after the entire defence rather than a single player.

Even if there is a specific defensive strategy against Millwall's individual players in the pre-game preparations, it is Darren Bent who is targeting the striker, not other players.

Darren Bent didn't start and was targeted by Jamie Vardy.

Liverpool's defence against Jamie Vardy has been very successful, and since the start of the game, Vardy has not been given any decent chances, and he is always accompanied by more than one defender, even if there is an occasional drop-back, he will be closely defended by the midfielder.

This kind of defense seems to be a bit wasteful on Vardy, but the same defensive method will not work on Braniff, because Braniff is a midfielder, he is still in the middle most of the time, and he will not attack too far forward, Liverpool cannot advance the formation, especially to defend against Braniff, they can only use the strategy of letting a single player mark.

That certainly didn't work.

A single defender, even Gerrard and Carragher, will have a headache against Braniff, and it is a bit whimsical for a defender to want to limit Braniff.

Liverpool's defensive headache is not only Branifer, in more than half a year, Millwall's improvement is overall, and players in other positions have also improved a lot, compared to the beginning of the season, Millwall has become mature and stable, and the attack has become much sharper.

The overall improvement is reflected in the game, that is, the coordination is smoother, the offense is tougher, and the individual player performs better.

Liverpool's experience of defending hard will make it difficult to contain Millwall.

In the following game time, Liverpool was still passive, and after the defensive line continued to be urgent, some players did not know how to run, some of them went to defend Braniff, some were constantly retreating to the goal, and some were following the Millwall players, and suddenly the overall defense line became a little chaotic.

Millwall seized the opportunity and scored again in the 41st minute.

It was a corner kick created by Livermore's long-range shot, Quaresma's penalty from the right found the front spot, and Simpson flexibly headed it over to Koncheski, who even had time to adjust before pushing the ball sideways to the middle, followed by Zambrotta, who rushed up behind, followed up with a powerful volley.

"Zambrotta! Second goal! ”

"2 to 0! The ball is in! Zambrotta followed up and helped Millwall open up the scoreline! Accompanied by the shouts of the commentators, the audience burst into amazing cheers.

In the process of analysing the goal, the "Sky Sports" commentator praised Millwall while also using the word 'play', "Millwall almost used the combination to play the Liverpool defence!" ”

"At the first point, Simpson did not choose to shoot, but flexibly gave the ball to Konchesky, after Koncheski adjusted, easy kick cross, Liverpool probably didn't expect that in such a slow pace, they actually leaked!"

"Zambrotta followed up and was able to shoot directly in the penalty area, which also shows that Liverpool's defense is really a bit of a problem......

Liverpool are aware of the problem as well.

The goal just now was an insult to the Liverpool defence, and the opponent continued to cooperate in the penalty area, completely treating the Liverpool players as air, which was simply a little intolerable.

But the goal has already happened and the opponent has indeed scored the goal.

This also dealt a huge blow to Liverpool's morale, Millwall scored so easily, and the score also opened up a two-goal gap, many Liverpool players know that the team has little hope of winning.

Not to mention winning, it is very difficult to tie.

Liverpool haven't completely lost their fighting spirit, but some players are feeling lost.

Millwall was not satisfied.

As some media have analyzed, Millwall's 'dual-core' style of play is very good at playing downwind, with enough midfield control and very high efficiency in front of goal, and it will be easier to score goals after playing in form.

Towards the end of the first half, Braniff erupted again, swaying in the box and finding a tight angle to toe the ball into the Liverpool net.

"3 to 0!"

'The first half wasn't over yet, but Millwall sealed the win early! Three goals, each one beautiful! Maybe Millwall fans can start celebrating the championship early. ”

"It was Braniff just now, he went into the box to dribble the ball in a small area, and the continuous shaking made the Liverpool defenders, there was nothing to do at all, and in the box, they had to pay attention to their movements, otherwise it could be a penalty."

'Branifer's shot was also brilliant as he took advantage of a small gap and fired the ball straight into the net without any reaction from goalkeeper Reina. It was a brilliant shot that illustrates the master's skill at his feet......"

At this point in the game, not many people cared about the excitement of the shots, and the fans in the spectator stands were shouting 'champion' frantically, and the chaotic and crazy shouts filled the entire Neil Stadium.

Braniff celebrates with his teammates and can't help but talk about the championship --

"Well done! Three goals ahead! But I wish it was over soon! ”

"I can't help it!"

"There's still a half, but I feel like both legs are shaking! Champion—"

"Keep it up!"

“……”

A lot of people can't wait for the championship, but the game has to go on.

It was less than half time and there were forty-five minutes left.

Although there was still half time, everyone – the commentators, the fans and the media – had already decided that Millwall would win and that they would be able to secure the title two games earlier.

————

Liverpool, who are rivals, are of the same opinion as everyone else, who believes that Millwall will win in the end.

It's a bit tragic.

At half-time, Liverpool's dressing room was dreary, and the dreary atmosphere was stressful, and no matter which team it was in, whenever it was time, the manager needed to step up and use words to motivate the team.

Different coaches have different ways of motivating their teams.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, for example, likes to use 'anger' to make every player afraid, and when they are scolded angrily, they may vent their anger on their opponents.

Quite a few coaches do that.

The flamboyant approach will probably be to encourage the players, talk seriously about the tactical play of the game, let the players receive a signal of 'still a chance', and the second half will naturally increase the fighting spirit.

Benitez did nothing.

Yes.

The Spaniard didn't say anything, it's his style, maybe it's a character flaw, he's not good at communicating, motivating the morale of the team, whatever, that's not what he's good at.

Benitez just looked at the tactical board, analysing the first half and telling the players what to do in the second half.

With Benitez all finished, Captain Gerard stepped forward.

This is an inherent 'routine'.

Since Benitez coached Liverpool, the team's work of fierce morale has always been done by the players themselves, Gerrard is the representative, he is the core of the team, the captain, the soul of the field, as long as Gerrard stands on the pitch, Liverpool seems to have a chance to reverse.

"We still have a chance!"

Gerard stood up and said earnestly, "Remember two years ago? In Istanbul! We were three goals down but we persevered! ”

"It's the same now!"

"As long as we hold on to the end, we have a chance!"

Gerrard said a few words seriously, and the examples still made the blood boil of many players, but it is difficult to say how much it will do, because the gap between the league and the Champions League final is a bit big.

The Champions League final must be fought until the last moment!

The league is different.

Liverpool and Millwall are only playing one league game, and it is almost impossible to equalize when they are three goals down away, and all Premier League games in several seasons combined, there will not be one or two three-goal reversals, and it is not easy to find the past.

Will Liverpool be able to do it?

Thinking about it again, Millwall have not lost a game all season, and if they want to win the league trophy at their home stadium, can Liverpool really stop it?

For most Liverpool players, the answer in their minds is no.

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