Chapter 1 After the Match

At the post-match press conference, Martin O'Neill appeared low-key, even though he knew what the victory meant. However, he didn't admit it, because he didn't want his team to become complacent. Just like the first half of this game, it wasn't a good sign.

"It's great to be able to beat Manchester United at home, although it's our home ground, Manchester United is a strong opponent..."

Finally, a reporter couldn't stand his pretentious tone any longer and stood up to ask a question directly: "Mr. O'Neill, do you think this game means that Manchester United has begun to decline, and Liverpool has completed its restoration?"

This question was what many reporters wanted to ask, but not everyone was embarrassed to ask directly.

Some reporters who supported Manchester United glared at their outspoken colleague.

In their view, this question was a blatant insult to Manchester United!

O'Neill was stunned for a moment, then replied, "No, I don't think so. Like I said before, Manchester United is still a strong opponent. They have superstars like Rooney, and they have a very good coach. I don't think Manchester United's position is so easy to shake..."

"But you have beaten them twice in a row."

"That doesn't prove anything. One or two games don't prove anything. Just like if my team lost to Manchester United twice in a row, I wouldn't think we were on the decline. There are many reasons for losing a game, and luck plays a big part."

The reporters looked at each other, unexpectedly O'Neill was speaking up for Manchester United so much, if they didn't know better, they would have thought he was the coach of Manchester United.

So what was Martin O'Neill thinking?

He definitely wasn't saying this out of goodwill towards Manchester United, he just understood the principle of "the shot that hits the lead bird." As the Premier League champion, Manchester United had been in the position of this lead bird for many years, and everyone had long been accustomed to treating him as the number one enemy, naturally being the collective of all hatred. Why not use such a good aggro-drawing MT (main tank, a gaming term for a character that draws enemy attention) and instead go out and be a target yourself?

Let Manchester United do the aggro-drawing, and he would develop silently in the back. This was the way to go.

So as long as Manchester United didn't give up on its own, he naturally wouldn't be stupid enough to replace them.

A natural good shield, why not use it?

When Ferguson attended the press conference, he also did not admit the claim that his team was already on the decline.

"That's all nonsense!" The old Sir, who had lost the game, seemed very angry. "Manchester United was the best team in the past, is now, and will be in the future!"

The reporters under the stage curled their lips when they heard him say this: You're just putting on a brave face...

"Losing to Liverpool away is not a good thing. All I can say is that Liverpool's performance in this game was good, but we ourselves are not bad, we are just a little unlucky. The league is very long, not one or two games can determine the result. We'll see!"

After speaking, he stood up, said goodbye to the reporters, and left the scene directly.

The media didn't believe his nonsense, the current Manchester United was really just putting on a brave face...

※※※

In addition to the historical significance of Liverpool's victory over Manchester United, there was also a person worthy of media attention, that was Chen Hero, who staged a hat-trick in this game.

Ten rounds into the league, Chen Hero had already scored twenty goals, which was an astonishing number.

The average of two goals per game was also the best in Europe.

Neither Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo could compare with him.

Such terrifying goalscoring data made many people start to have wild thoughts—at this rate, it was only a matter of time before Chen Hero broke Dixie Dean's single-season record of sixty goals...

You have to know that many forwards can't even score twenty goals in a season.

But Chen Hero completed it in just ten games. This didn't include goals in other competitions. If you count them, only two and a half months have passed this season, and Chen Hero has scored twenty-eight goals.

After the game, global sports media focused on reporting on the game, and also reported on Chen Hero, who completed the hat-trick.

ESPN: "Rampaging Hero Makes Manchester United Submit! In the just-concluded focus match in England, Hero completed a hat-trick and defeated the powerful Manchester United all by himself!"

American Fox Sports: "Twenty goals in ten league games, an average of two goals per game, amazing data. This goalscoring machine that never knows fatigue!"

French Football: "Hero scores, and then Liverpool wins, has become a tradition for this team... But the victory in this game is still very meaningful. Hero relied on a hat-trick to complete his twentieth goal of the season. For many forwards, a season's goal, he only used ten games to complete..."

Milan Sports News: "Let's relive what Napoli coach Mazzarri said at the beginning: 'In terms of scoring ability alone, Chen Hero is ten times stronger than Messi!' How many people regarded it as a joke at the beginning? But the subsequent facts have slapped us in the face again and again. Does anyone still doubt this sentence now? I have no intention of offending Messi, but I must tell the truth—in terms of scoring ability alone, Chen Hero is invincible!"

Rome Sports News: "This big guy went to the Premier League, which is a relief for teams outside of Napoli. But for our Serie A fans, it is a huge loss..."

Naples Morning Post: "Even now, there are still people who miss Hero, but what I want to say is, if it wasn't for our prejudice at the beginning, he would have had the opportunity to grow old in Naples..."

Daily Mail: "Hero was the biggest contributor in the last game. In fact, Ferguson was right. The strength gap between Manchester United and Liverpool is not that big. Manchester United has not yet reached the point where it should decline. But unfortunately, Liverpool has Hero, and Manchester United does not, which is the insurmountable gap between the two. Even if it's not yet time to decline, Manchester United has already begun to decline because of Hero's appearance... In the future, it is definitely going to decline, and Liverpool will definitely rise... Yes, in the future. But now these are all brought forward, just because Chen Hero chose to join Liverpool, not Manchester United..."

Liverpool Echo: "Yesterday afternoon, Hero lived up to his name! He is our hero! Manchester United was defeated by him alone!"

Chinese media: "Hero descends to earth like a god! Such a hero is worth more than ten Messi!"

……

If it was when he first debuted, being able to receive so much overwhelming praise, Chen Hero would definitely have been floating for a week, and he would even have tried to find these specific articles to appreciate them carefully.

Now, he has heard similar nauseating praises too many times.

He had long been immune.

The next day, he should accompany his girlfriend, sleep in, in short, do whatever he should do.

For him, these verbal praises were all empty. What he needed was honor and awards!

Because Liverpool had previously missed out on the highest honor in European football, he had won few significant awards in recent years.

But he was very clear that from now on, the era belonging to him was truly coming!

Twenty-six-year-old Chen Hero had entered the golden age of his career.

※※※

Although he had just finished the game against Manchester United, Chen Hero could not get as much rest time as other players, but this was also his own doing.

Because he still had to participate in the upcoming League Cup match.

Martin O'Neill was a little hesitant before, whether or not to let Chen Hero participate in the League Cup, after all, he had just finished the game against Manchester United.

The intensity of this game was going to exceed other games.

So he tentatively asked Chen Hero if he wanted to rest.

Unsurprisingly, Chen Hero gave him a negative answer: "I don't need to rest at all, I can play right away!"

Martin O'Neill had no choice but to put Chen Hero in the starting lineup for the League Cup again...

※※※

In the reserve team, the recently concluded battle between Liverpool and Manchester United was also the focus of everyone's discussion. Chen Hero, who staged a hat-trick, was naturally also the focus of the discussion.

Although they would all be happy for Liverpool's victory over Manchester United at home, and Chen Hero's hat-trick, they would also be a little worried.

After all, the game against Manchester United was so intense, and everyone had exhausted their physical strength. Chen Hero, who scored three goals, was not going to be much easier than others.

So after playing such a game, would he still have the physical strength, and would O'Neill still select him into the League Cup squad?

They always felt that O'Neill should not make Chen Hero so tired.

So that would mean that after this game, Chen Hero would rest like other first-team players, and he would not fight alongside the second-team players in the League Cup.

Thinking of this, the second-team players felt regretful.

But they could not influence the decision of the first-team coach.

They could only accept it helplessly.

But during training the day before the game, they saw Chen Hero wearing training clothes on the training ground!

This superstar, who shone in the national derby, raised his hand after seeing them: "Hi, guys, we meet again!"

The second-team players couldn't believe their eyes. Some people even rubbed their eyes to make sure they weren't seeing things.

When they found out that they were not seeing things, the second-team players collectively let out a cheer.

Reserve team coach Clarke smiled and turned to O'Neill and said, "He has become an idol for young people. Although he is still very young."

O'Neill showed a gratified smile.

※※※

On the day of the game, Liverpool's starting lineup was finally announced. All of the first-team players rested, and only Chen Hero continued to start.

Whether it was the media or Liverpool's opponents, everyone was used to it.

As for whether they would slander this big star who was not willing to let go of even the League Cup in their hearts, it was unknown...