Chapter 02: First Battle against Liverpool

On August 15, 2010, the first round of the 2010-2011 English Premier League season was staged. It's the real big game, with Arsenal away at Liverpool in the Premier League's biggest match-up between teams. And with the league out of action for nearly three months, Premier League fans have been looking forward to an early start to the new season.

Arsenal were league champions last season, while Liverpool fell to seventh place in the table last season, but their strength should not be underestimated. So when the two teams meet in the opening round of the new season, it will definitely be a good game.

Both teams are looking forward to the opening game of the new season, so this one is sure to be even more exciting.

Xiao Qing stood quietly in the player's tunnel, the symbol of Liverpool's pride 'This is Anfield' is still there, which is indeed likely to bring some pressure to Liverpool's opponents, but Xiao Qing doesn't care about these at this time, because he is full of expectations for the game, he doesn't care about the strength of the opponents at all, because Xiao Qing will help the team perform better. Arsenal's players are confident about the new season and they need to defend their title in the league; So the Gunners didn't need any more mobilization before the game, they were very confident and eager to win the game, and they are full of fighting spirit right now.

In this game, Liverpool's Skrtel suffered an ankle injury and partnered with Agger in the middle of the back, Aager switched to left wing-back, Torres, who had a minor groin injury, sat on the bench at the beginning, and new signings Joe Cole and Jovanovic both started. Arsenal's new signings Chamak and Kosicelny both started the game, Van Persie, who is still in the adjustment period, was only included in the substitute list, and Cesc Fabregas was simply allowed to be suspended.

That may have kept both teams at their best. But there is no way around it; Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie both played in the Shijie Cup. They don't have much time to rest at all. And they actually have some injuries to a greater or lesser extent. Although the team did not send the strongest squad, Arsenal are still very confident because their squad is still very good, because they now have a strong fighting force and self-confidence.

Arsenal starters, goalkeeper Almunia; From right to left, Sagna, Koschelny, Vermaelen, Klichy; midfielders Eboue, Nasri, Diaby and Arshavin; On the forward line, Chamak partnered with Xiao Qing.

As for Liverpool goalkeeper Reina, Glen Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Carragher on the back line; midfielders Mascherano, Gerrard, Joe Cole, and Kuyt; Forward line Ngog and Jovanovic.

The enthusiasm that fans have been building up for months explodes at this time, and although there is a football feast such as the Shijie Cup, for many fans, the league is the key. Now the new season is back. Once again, their lives have become exciting and exciting. For the players of both teams, they can't wait for the game to start now, maybe for some players to get a good salary can make them live a luxurious and comfortable life, but football is their job, and the players who can play professional games are not only talented, but also a big reason for the love of football. So the new season is coming and it's a good thing for them because they can enjoy football and they can prove their worth on the pitch.

For Arsenal's players, Liverpool fans are not polite, once upon a time Arsenal was also without a championship for several years, and Arsenal at that time was a member of the down-and-out giants like Liverpool; But last season Arsenal didn't just win the league. It also made team history and won the Champions League in one fell swoop. So for Arsenal, which was full of glory last season, Liverpool must be envious, jealous and hateful; And now the Reds fans are also hoping for the team to achieve the first win of the new season. Naturally, they booed the Arsenal players.

Xiao Qing knows that he is definitely not a popular player for Liverpool fans, in addition to being an opponent himself, Arsenal's double defeat of Liverpool last season Xiao Qing's performance was very eye-catching, and everyone understands that Arsenal's strong rise is because of the changes brought by Xiao Qing, so at this time Xiao Qing is naturally the object of displeasure of Liverpool fans.

Xiao Qing didn't care about those boos at all, and couldn't wait to shake hands with the Liverpool players after the ceremony, Xiao Qing was not familiar with these players, so there was no need to even greet them. Now Xiao Qing's whole mind is focused on the upcoming games, and Xiao Qing is now more concerned about the upcoming 2010-11 season.

The referee blew the whistle for the start of the new season amid the cheers at Anfield, and Arsenal and Liverpool also started their new campaign at this time. At this time, Xiao Qing is very excited, he is eager to compete with his opponents on the court, and Xiao Qing is eager to achieve more honors in the new season.

After all, this is the first game of the new season, and although the two teams have also made some adjustments in the training camp and warm-up matches, it is certain that the current two teams are not at their best. Xiao Qing didn't dare to guarantee that he had reached the most haode state at this time, but he could guarantee that he was definitely the most active player in this game.

In just the third minute of the opening game, Xiao Qing had already started his active performance in this game; Because Cesc Fabregas is resting in this game, Xiao Qing at this time undoubtedly needs to take on more offensive tasks. Xiao Qing didn't care that the defensive focus was focused on himself, and he was very confident that he would achieve a better performance in the game.

Xiao Qing, who took the ball in front of the penalty area, was closely watched by Liverpool defender Mascherano who returned to the defense, although Xiao Qing's few long-range shots in the game last season did not pose any threat, but Xiao Qing's opponents also knew that Xiao Qing could not get too much space in front of the penalty area, because Xiao Qing's ability to break through with the ball was too strong, and they simply could not let Xiao Qing unscrupulously break into the penalty area to create a threat.

The dunky smash didn't make Mascherano lose his position, and since he couldn't be pretty, it was very effective to be simple and rough; Since Mascherano was not deceived by feints, Xiao Qing directly began to break through violently. Gently pushed the ball forward, although Mascherano at this time was also forced forward to try to steal, but Xiao Qing was excellent at his feet, and gently pushed the ball over the left side, and Xiao Qing changed direction violently.

Anfield stadium was full of exclamations, Liverpool fans seemed to be thinking of Xiao Qing again and again last season to create a threat in the penalty area again and again, and now it seems that after a period of rest, Xiao Qing still maintains enough form. However, just when the Reds fans were worried that Xiao Qing would once again enter the penalty area to create a threat, Mascherano, who had lost his position, put a shovel as soon as possible.

Xiao Qing was a little depressed, of course, more helpless; His opponents looked wary of him, with Mascherano receiving a yellow card for a tackle in the back of the game less than five minutes into the game. Xiao Qing also knew that this was the opponent's defensive strategy, and they had enough of Xiao Qing's losses last season, so naturally they would not leave Xiao Qing any chance at this time. Obviously, this has become a general consensus among Arsenal's opponents, and Xiao Qing believes that he will inevitably suffer these fouls in the new season.

Vermaelen took a free kick outside the penalty area with a powerful left-footed shot that was blocked by Reina, and the Gunners at this time quickly seized the initiative in the game, Arsenal took advantage of the opponent's unstable foothold, and used Xiao Qing's strong point to constantly impact Liverpool's defense, and they made Liverpool's defensive pressure continue to increase at this time.

Liverpool is quite passive now, especially Xiao Qing, a strong point is becoming more and more active, Liverpool's backline can't limit Xiao Qing at this time, so this has also caused Arsenal's other attackers to become more and more active, at this time the passive Liverpool can only use fouls to delay Arsenal's offensive rhythm many times.

In the tenth minute of the game, in front of the Liverpool defender Agger in the penalty area, the referee showed mercy and did not play a card. In the twentieth minute, Xiao Qing was black-footed by Gerrard in the middle again. Nasri's free-kick shot hit the wall and popped up, Xiao Qing split the ball in the penalty area, and Chamak shot again. In the 25th minute, Xiao Qing received a left-hand corner kick from Sri and hit the top of the goal.

Xiao Qing was a little helpless at this time, Liverpool didn't give him any room to break through at all, and their tackles again and again made Xiao Qing lose his rhythm. Although Liverpool's foul tactics made Xiao Qing a little passive, although Xiao Qing felt a little angry, Xiao Qing did not lose his mind at this time, he knew that Liverpool's foul tactics were just drinking to quench his thirst.

Although Xiao Qing encountered a lot of fouls, although Xiao Qing was shoveled to the ground again and again, this did not make Xiao Qing lose confidence and fighting spirit, Xiao Qing still had a stronger determination at this time. Xiao Qing saw hope, and he would continue to make such a fierce and sharp breakthrough; Because Liverpool don't have much countermeasures at the defensive end now, once they continue to commit such frequent fouls, then they are likely to completely lose their chances due to yellow cards or even red cards.

Xiao Qing didn't care about the opponent's fouls at all, he was very confident in himself, he believed that these guys' tackles could not hurt him; More importantly, Xiao Qing needs to use his breakthrough to open up space, and he needs such a breakthrough to bring victory to the team. (To be continued......)