Chapter 67

The Manchester United defenders focused all their attention on Chen Hero after more than sixty minutes of this match. It wasn't that Suarez was in poor form, but that even at his best, Suarez was still just the usual formidable player to them.

But Chen Hero was different, he was so impressive that he exceeded their comprehension. If they didn't go all out, they wouldn't just lose, they'd lose badly!

With so much emphasis on Chen Hero, they naturally paid less attention to the other Liverpool players.

But the Liverpool players were no pushovers either. Like Suarez…

After the game restarted, Suarez actively called for the ball, creating a threat every time he dribbled. More importantly, because Manchester United players had to focus most of their attention on Chen Hero, Suarez was temporarily left unattended.

So Suarez came alive.

But the good times didn't last long, and soon Manchester United players noticed Suarez.

When Suarez tried to dribble into the penalty area from the wing, Evans blocked him. With the impact, Suarez's small frame went flying…

"Penalty!!"

The Liverpool fans in the stands rose from their seats, pointing and roaring at the pitch.

But the referee didn't grant their wish; he waved Suarez to get up.

Suarez was furious. He raised his arms and slammed them hard on the ground.

He felt he had genuinely been knocked down by Evans, but because of his previous penchant for diving, he was already on the referee's blacklist. So whenever Suarez fell to the ground, the referee's first reaction was definitely not to blow the whistle and penalize the opponent, but to first consider whether Suarez was diving.

No referee wanted to be fooled like an idiot. So diving was the foul that all referees hated the most. Suarez was lucky not to receive a yellow card this time.

Evans also stood his ground. Since the referee didn't call a foul, he cleared the ball and turned to confront Suarez.

"Stop acting, you just wanted to con a penalty!"

Suarez stood up from the ground, and upon hearing Evans's words, put a finger to his lips and said, "If you don't speak, no one will think you're a mute!"

However, both were relatively rational. Although they kept exchanging insults verbally, they didn't take it any further. It was just a matter of momentary verbal sparring.

As Suarez moved out of the penalty area, the distance between the two increased, and they stopped arguing. What was the point when you couldn't hear what the other was saying?

※※※

Whether Suarez had dived and whether Evans had fouled him sparked discussion among commentators and fans, but that was already in the past. Professional players quickly put it behind them, not thinking about it and looking forward.

Now, both Suarez and Martin O'Neill had to think about how to break free from the Manchester United defenders' entanglement.

If Manchester United managed to restrain Liverpool's two main attackers, Liverpool's attacking effectiveness would be greatly reduced.

At this moment, Chen Hero stepped forward.

Bell sent in a cross from the wing that wasn't much of an opportunity. He had intended to pass to Chen Hero at the far post, but didn't apply enough force, and the ball went towards the near post. Players at the far post wouldn't usually compete for such a ball, as it was almost certain to be unreachable and would waste energy.

But this time, Chen Hero suddenly rushed over from a great distance and jumped up with all his might!

And he really managed to outjump Vidic!

Vidic didn't expect Chen Hero to contest this ball—Hero hadn't even been here when Bell crossed it!

Chen Hero really got to the ball!

But after all, it was still too forced. It was already difficult enough for him to outjump Vidic, so when he headed the ball, it was naturally a spent force, unable to exert much power.

The ball eventually went high over the crossbar.

But even so, it gave the Manchester United fans at the stadium and in front of the TV screens a cold sweat.

This Chen Hero, he's just too abnormal! From that distance, from the far post to the near post, he still managed to get to the ball!

Not only did the Manchester United fans have this thought, but the Manchester United players also thought so.

Evans, who had previously been running to defend Suarez, immediately felt that he should focus on Chen Hero after seeing Vidic being pressed down by Chen Hero. It seemed that Vidic alone couldn't handle that Liverpool freak…

Next, Chen Hero became active several times, and even had a shot that forced De Gea to make a world-class save.

Now, the entire Manchester United defense shifted its focus back to Chen Hero.

Suarez suddenly felt the pressure on him ease.

He hadn't discussed it with Chen Hero beforehand, and the two hadn't even made eye contact. But Chen Hero stepped forward when he needed help the most—that was tacit understanding!

That was the tacit understanding cultivated in the Eat, Drink, and Play Squad!

※※※

In the seventy-eighth minute, Suarez received the ball in midfield, turned, and dribbled forward, shaking off Fletcher and Nani along the way, and running all the way.

Two very beautiful dribbles!

Because this was a counterattack to a counterattack, meaning that when Manchester United launched a counterattack, Liverpool successfully intercepted the ball and quickly launched a counterattack against Manchester United. The Manchester United defense was in the process of transition from attack to defense, and was not as tightly organized as before, and was loosened by Suarez's rush.

At first, everyone was watching Chen Hero, who was waiting in the center.

But no matter what kind of "pass me the ball" gesture Chen Hero made, Suarez just ignored it and continued to dribble forward.

"Suarez is coming again! He should pass the ball! To Hero, and then run into space himself…"

"Suarez sometimes plays recklessly, he just doesn't pass the ball, he just wants to do it himself. Now that he's successfully dribbled past two Manchester United players, it seems like he thinks he can dribble past the entire Manchester United defense…"

The commentators criticized Suarez's performance.

But that was because they didn't know the Manchester United players' feelings at the moment—when they saw Suarez rushing forward with his head down, the Manchester United players were extremely conflicted. They didn't know whether to abandon Chen Hero in the middle and go to stop Suarez.

What if Suarez passed the ball to Chen Hero when they went to defend Suarez?

What if they didn't intercept Suarez and let him face De Gea one-on-one?

They could only retreat while fighting.

Retreating like this, they were about to retreat into the penalty area. If they didn't make a decision, there would be no chance…

The Manchester United defenders gritted their teeth and made their choice—in this place, at this time, whoever has the ball is the most threatening player!

Moreover, the entire Manchester United defense had another idea, which was… to create an offside trap!

We'll all push forward, and if you pass to Chen Hero, he'll definitely be offside! Because now Chen Hero is already parallel with the Manchester United defense!

As soon as they thought of it, they did it. It must be said that the Manchester United defenders had a good understanding and the effectiveness of their usual training.

Without anyone giving orders or hesitating, the four quickly pushed forward collectively, closing in on Suarez. In an instant, they left Chen Hero behind them.

If Suarez passed the ball at this time, Chen Hero would definitely be offside!

Some even hoped that Suarez would think he had a chance and pass the ball immediately…

But they were wrong, Suarez didn't pass the ball! He flicked the ball to the outside with his left foot, slightly changing its direction, and actually wanted to force his way through the entire Manchester United defense!

Now the commentators were even more certain that Suarez was playing with fire.

"He didn't even look up… maybe he doesn't even know where Hero is?"

"South American players… sometimes they can't control their desire to show off…"

Not only the commentators, but many Liverpool fans also felt that Suarez definitely wanted to go it alone.

※※※

Suarez flicked the ball to the outside and rushed into the penalty area.

Whether it was the camera, the audience's eyes, or the attention of both players, especially the Manchester United players, was now focused on Suarez—since the ball was still at Suarez's feet at this point, he was definitely the protagonist!

Everyone wanted to see how Suarez would break through the blockade of three Manchester United players…

If he could score, what a wonderful goal it would be!

At this moment, the ball suddenly popped out from between Vidic's legs!

Nutmeg!

Was it a beautiful dribble?!

No!

It was a pass!

"Suarez passed the ball! He passed the ball! He passed the ball between Vidic's legs! The target is the center…"

"heroooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!"

Chen Hero had originally been watching Suarez's solo performance from afar in the center, but when Suarez entered the Manchester United defenders' encirclement, he suddenly accelerated and rushed to the near post.

At the same time, the ball was passed over, not too much, not too little, just right!

Manchester United's full-back Fabio had been lingering behind, his task was to mark Chen Hero.

But when Suarez took the ball into the penalty area, like everyone else, his attention was always on Suarez.

When he saw the ball being passed over, he only felt a darkness in front of him!

Chen Hero had already taken a position in front of him!

What followed was no suspense…

"Hero shoots! Beautiful! Goal… Goal! Goal!!"

"Liverpool take the lead again! Hero scores twice! A brilliant pass from Suarez!"

"When everyone thought Suarez was going to pass the ball, he broke through himself! When everyone thought Suarez was going to do it himself, he suddenly passed the ball! A beautiful assist! Eighty percent of the credit for this goal should go to Suarez!"

After scoring, Chen Hero pointed to Suarez.

Suarez also pointed to himself with his thumb proudly.

Then Chen Hero pounced over and gave him a strong bear hug.

Two good friends hugged tightly.

Then more teammates swarmed over, surrounding the two.

※※※

When you need my help, I step forward. Because I know that there will be a time when I need your help, and you will definitely not hesitate in the slightest.

Martin O'Neill turned to look at Sammy Lee, with a smile on his face.

Sammy Lee also smiled.