Perhaps Liverpool was too careless and relaxed, or perhaps Chelsea was just too tenacious.

The highly anticipated match had been going on for over ten minutes, and Liverpool hadn't scored. Chelsea chose to defend with all their might, proving quite resilient.

"Liverpool is likely facing a situation where they'll encounter more and more opponents who share a common trait... they all like to bunker down and defend to the death. So, it's becoming increasingly difficult for Liverpool to score early in the game..."

As the end of the season approached and the importance of the matches increased, Liverpool had indeed encountered such opponents – they all bunkered down, making preventing Liverpool from scoring their top priority, rather than winning the game.

But despite Chelsea's tactics, Liverpool wasn't worried.

It was simple. Even if this game ended in a draw, Liverpool would still clinch the title with three games to spare.

The difference between the two teams was ten points. After this draw, the gap would remain at ten, still securing the league title for Liverpool with three games left.

Even if Manchester United, ranked third, won their game and narrowed the gap to nine points, their chance of overtaking Liverpool was only theoretical, and extremely low, less than one percent. First, they'd have to hope that Liverpool lost all of their remaining three league games. Second, they'd have to pray that Liverpool lost by huge margins, while they themselves won by huge margins, only then could they make up for the huge goal difference between the two teams.

Liverpool had now scored ninety-one goals and conceded only twenty-five, with a goal difference of sixty-six. They had the most goals and the best goal difference in the Premier League. Manchester United had sixteen fewer goals than Liverpool.

This enormous gap couldn't be easily closed.

Not to mention how low the probability of Liverpool losing all three of their final games was…

Therefore, even if Liverpool were held to a draw by Chelsea in this game, it wouldn't be a big deal for them. They could still celebrate their victory and early title defense.

"If Chelsea's so-called spoiler role is just to defend without attacking, I think they're just adding some fun to Liverpool's celebration, nothing more."

The commentator mocked mercilessly upon seeing Chelsea's approach.

※※※

Just when everyone thought Chelsea was only there to defend, they suddenly launched an attack.

After defending stubbornly for twenty minutes, they seized an opportunity to launch a counter-attack!

"Mata is dribbling on the wing… he passes the ball to Hazard, Hazard with a through ball… beautiful! Not offside! Hulk!"

Amidst the commentator's loud exclamation, Hulk received Hazard's through ball, beating the offside trap.

Then he turned to face goalkeeper Reina.

Such a shot posed no difficulty for a striker of Hulk's caliber.

He unleashed a powerful shot!

The ball whizzed past Reina and crashed into the back of the net…

"This…"

Even the commentators were a bit stunned. Although they knew Hulk had made a beautiful run to beat the offside trap, when the ball actually flew into the goal, they were still a bit incredulous, wondering if they had misjudged or if Hulk was offside…

It took several seconds for anyone to react.

"Goal! Goal! Goal—! Hulk! The Green Giant Hulk! He has hammered the ball into Liverpool's goal!!"

"Chelsea's counter-attack is so sharp and deadly! Who would have thought that their first counter-attack would result in a goal?!"

"Chelsea is like an uninvited guest who suddenly breaks in! They burst into a joyous party scene and start smashing, looting, and burning!"

Chelsea fans at Anfield erupted in a huge roar.

After scoring, Hulk sprinted all the way to the camera lens, lifted his jersey, revealing a t-shirt underneath that read: "We are the Spoilers!"

This was the sentiment of all Chelsea fans.

Want to step on our corpses to ascend the throne? Dream on, Liverpool!

※※※

Compared to the ecstatic Chelsea players, the Liverpool players were still in a daze. They really hadn't expected Chelsea to have the strength to counter-attack while defending so resolutely, and to score on their first counter-attack.

Chen Hero, however, wasn't in a daze. He even felt excited. Just as he had said before the game: "Chelsea's tenacity will become the most dazzling diamond on our crown!"

This wasn't just psychological warfare, but his sincere thoughts. He truly believed that if Chelsea were more tenacious, the title would be more meaningful.

Which is more important, winning the championship by defeating a strong enemy or by crushing an ant? The former, of course.

Winning the championship is always a joyous occasion, but a hard-earned title brings a greater sense of accomplishment than an easy one.

He stood on the field, watching the jubilant Chelsea players, and sneered inwardly: Celebrate, celebrate to your heart's content! Because before long, you won't be laughing anymore!

※※※

"Chelsea has taken the lead against Liverpool with a counter-attack, and a shadow has been cast over every Liverpool player. The immense pressure on the defending champions is making them too nervous... Wait!"

The commentator, who was waxing lyrical while staring at close-up shots of Liverpool players on the monitor, suddenly saw Chen Hero's face appear on the screen. Chen Hero didn't look depressed like his teammates, but had a smile on his face.

It was as if he was happy that his team was behind!

"Hero's expression is a bit strange... Does he not care about this goal?"

Some fans watching the broadcast couldn't help but curse: "He really is an idiot! His own team is behind and he can still smile so happily!"

"What a shameless bastard! Did he bet against his own team?"

Unfortunately, these self-proclaimed normal people will never understand the mind of an idiot…

※※※

After the game restarted, Chelsea continued to defend with all their might. Being one goal ahead gave them even more confidence in their defense.

Before, defending to the end would at most result in a draw, which still wouldn't prevent Liverpool from winning the title early after their match.

Now it was different, they could win the game by defending.

With that in mind, Chelsea's players defended even more fiercely.

Even center forward Hulk retreated to the edge of the penalty area to participate in the defense.

Čech made save after save to protect his goal, and Chelsea fans in the stands, ignoring the Liverpool fans' cheers, desperately cheered on their team.

No one wanted to be stepped on by that arrogant Chen Hero on his way to the top.

Faced with Chelsea's all-out defense, any tactics were useless at this time. Instead, the simplest tactics were the most effective.

After Liverpool pressed forward, they just kept crossing the ball, or taking long-range shots. They also used set pieces.

The magic weapons for breaking down a tight defense were nothing more than these.

Martin O'Neill on the sidelines didn't seem too anxious after conceding the goal. His face was expressionless, and you couldn't tell what he thought of the current situation at all.

In fact, he found it strange – AC Milan had conceded two goals even when defending with all their might, so why did Chelsea think they could take three points from Liverpool by defending to the death?

What gave them so much confidence?

※※※

Chen Hero didn't care what made Chelsea believe they could withstand Liverpool's attacks. He only needed to tell them that they were wrong.

In the thirty-fourth minute, Liverpool crossed from the wing again, and Chen Hero jumped high into the air.

However, he charged a bit too far forward when jumping, while the ball was crossed a bit too far back. But none of that mattered.

Chen Hero leaned his upper body back, adjusted his posture, and without using the strength of his waist and abdomen, directly headed the ball with the force of his momentum!

Čech made a save, and he did get to the ball, but it was too close and too fast. He couldn't change the ball's final destination. The ball brushed his fingertips and plunged into the goal!

"A very difficult header! But no matter how difficult it is, it's not difficult for Hero!"

"Hero! He equalized the score for Liverpool!"

"The two sides are back to square one... No, Liverpool has regained the advantage in defending their title!"

"Hero! As expected of Hero! At critical moments, we still have to rely on Hero!"

The commentators were all excited.

Whether it was crossing from the wing, long shots, or set pieces, they were all just forms. The core thing was – you had to have Chen Hero. As long as you had Chen Hero, any team could easily break down a tight defense.

The atmosphere at Anfield was completely ignited by Chen Hero's goal. Everyone stood up from their seats, chanting Chen Hero's and Liverpool's names.

If they were to vote for Liverpool's greatest and most valuable signing in history, Chen Hero would definitely be number one!

After scoring, Chen Hero no longer sprinted all the way to the corner flag, but ran slowly, cupping his hands behind his ears, closing his eyes and nodding slightly, enjoying the cheers.

Seeing him like this, the cheers from the stands became even louder – since Hero likes it, then we'll shout as loud as we can!

※※※

Advocaat was a little dazed as he watched his proud disciple being surrounded by huge cheers.

Even now, he still couldn't quite believe that the green rookie who was useless except for his headers and physique had now grown into a world superstar…

He was his most proud disciple, but also his most incomprehensible disciple – why was it him? Why could he achieve such outstanding results? Why could he always improve and bring surprises to everyone? First it was headers, then long shots, then holding the ball with his back to the goal... Then his footwork became better and better, and his shooting skills became more refined…

And he was only twenty-six years old!

Going forward, how many more surprises could he bring people, and what kind of heights could he reach?

Advocaat found that he couldn't imagine it at all.