"How did he appear in that position, and how did he entangle with Mané while protecting the ball and spotting De Bruyne?"

Receiving the ball in that position would usually result in a random clearance or a move towards the center, avoiding a turnover. There might be teammates for a counterattack, though the chance is slim.

A slightly better, bolder approach would be finding a nearby teammate for a pass.

This could lead to a counter-press or a counterattack during the press.

Zhao Gang, however, abandoned both options after receiving the ball.

While Zhao Gang and Mané fought for the ball, De Bruyne had already turned to observe, starting his acceleration in his own half.

By the time Zhao Gang passed, he had already crossed the halfway line!

"De Bruyne was already preparing for a counterattack before Zhao had full control, while still in that position. Such trust is a bit excessive.

More importantly, Zhao actually saw him and passed, completing a wide-ranging transition.

De Bruyne received the ball comfortably, with almost no obstruction ahead.

That pass was from an absolute God's-eye view!

Liverpool's conceded goal had nothing to do with their defense. Such an unconventional counterattack is unlikely to be replicated, even by Manchester City.

Truly a brilliant combination. Zhao invigorates the team with his passes time and again. Is he now retreating to his own penalty area to launch counterattacks from such a distance?"

"He appeared in the position of a defensive midfielder/defender, which doesn't quite fit Guardiola's tactical arrangements. He should be a receiver, distributing the ball after gaining possession, rather than directly robbing the opponent's ball and finding teammates from the back.

Of course, Guardiola probably won't criticize his positioning in that unusual area."

The first half ended.

Klopp was somewhat angry. The last goal was unavoidable, but what about the first two?

Both were sharp counterattacks triggered by Manchester City's pressing.

Clearly, Manchester City didn't have many good solutions once they entered positional play.

Liverpool's players ran tirelessly, and their defensive cover was excellent, making Manchester City's attempts to stretch them ineffective.

Although Liverpool played an open, expansive game, it was difficult for Manchester City to resolve the battle through positional play.

Manchester City was now using Liverpool's own strengths against them!

Liverpool was supposed to counter Manchester City's slow-paced style, but they were now behind.

Klopp had extremely high demands for his players, requiring not only constant running but also high efficiency, with minimal errors.

Throughout the first half, Manchester City used pressing and exploited Liverpool's mistakes to score three goals.

Klopp could accept defeat, but not this kind of defeat.

Liverpool's attack needed to be fast and steady!

This was Manchester City, not some other Premier League minnow.

Everyone in Manchester City had the ability to pass, especially De Bruyne and Zhao Gang, who possessed very strong long-range passing skills.

Klopp kept shouting, urging his players to perk up.

"Manchester City isn't invincible. We led them twice! Their defense is only mid-table at best in the Premier League! Go up and fight, keep running, keep pressing, just for this game! Exploit the gaps in their midfield and defense. Chelsea has already shown us a good example!" Klopp pointed to the tactical board, highlighting how Chelsea's forwards fully exploited the space between the defenders and defensive midfielders in their match against Manchester City.

Now, Liverpool ran even harder than Chelsea, and their attacking power was not much weaker.

"We don't need man-marking. Control your defensive area and seize the opponent's weaknesses! We will win the game!"

In the Manchester City locker room, Guardiola was equally enthusiastic.

Scoring three goals and only leading by one was far from over.

They could score three more!

"In the second half, I want you to break through, to constantly attack their defense. Their left-wing defense is very weak. If there's an opportunity, Zhao, De Bruyne, I need you to continuously send firepower to the right wing. Aguero, Sterling, seize the opportunity and completely destroy their left wing!"

"Fernandinho and Fernando will cover behind you, so unleash your attacking talents!"

"Go and press! When we lose possession, don't just run back, reach out and directly win the ball back!"

Manchester City's transition from attack to defense was always like this, using the players' individual abilities to press.

This not only had the potential to regain possession but also suppressed the opponent's counterattack.

Liverpool was doing the same, but unfortunately, Zhao Gang's long passes and breakthroughs prevented them from delaying Manchester City's counterattacks, making it even harder to win the ball back.

The second half began.

Liverpool immediately found Coutinho after the kickoff.

Manchester City's forwards didn't stand still and quickly launched a siege.

This caused Coutinho some momentary discomfort.

Logically, Manchester City should stabilize a bit after taking the lead, but they started pressing right away.

This wasn't typical of Manchester City's style.

They would press relentlessly in the attacking third if they lost possession, but they hadn't lost the ball. The ball was already at Liverpool's feet. Why were they so anxious?

Coutinho was momentarily stunned, but fortunately, his skills were excellent, and he didn't lose the ball, making a hurried back pass.

The pass was a bit too strong, and Lallana had to run quickly to intercept it, colliding with Zhao Gang again. The two tangled, and it was nearly impossible for Zhao Gang to poke the ball away from behind a player who had established their position.

However, the interference made it very difficult for Lallana, who could only pass back to Matip.

Sterling charged forward with a roar.

He scored a goal at the end of the first half and was now in good spirits.

With a lunge, Matip almost made a mistake, but fortunately, Lovren was alert and secured the ball after supporting him.

Aguero also seized the opportunity to interfere.

Manchester City, including the two full-backs, also rushed to support, firmly pressing Liverpool into their own half.

Liverpool's every pass made the fans' hearts pound.

If Manchester City intercepted the ball, the consequences would be unimaginable!

Klopp stood on the sidelines, baring his teeth and frowning.

Was Manchester City on drugs?

Weren't they afraid of problems in the back?

Klopp now looked at Zhao Gang's running figure with envy.

If Zhao Gang were in Liverpool's lineup, facing this kind of pressing, he could find Mané in the front court with a long pass like he did in the first half. Even if Mané didn't score, it would scare Manchester City, and they wouldn't dare to press like this.

Coutinho was good at passing, dribbling, and shooting, but he wasn't as accurate at finding people.

Milner couldn't take it anymore. After receiving Lovren's pass, he blasted the ball to the front court before De Bruyne could press him.

Fernando jumped high and headed the ball to Fernandinho diagonally in front of him.

He advanced into Liverpool's half, watching his teammates' runs. He didn't choose to pass to Zhao Gang because he saw Wijnaldum, that sly fox, pretending to be nonchalant but actually preparing to intercept.

In the first half, Wijnaldum intercepted Fernando's pass to Zhao Gang.

Fernandinho started running with the ball himself!

Everyone knew that Fernandinho was a very strong defender and had a long shot.

But his dribbling ability was actually also very good.

Guardiola didn't have any players he used who couldn't dribble.

The entire Manchester City team, from the coach to the bench, didn't have anyone who couldn't carry the ball forward.

Emre Can quickly went to defend, and Clyne also seized the opportunity, ready to act.

Manchester City's forwards began to run according to the established positions from training.

The two full-backs also went up to support.

Fernandinho encountered obstruction and didn't choose to continue breaking through but instead found Zabaleta, who was supporting him. Zabaleta passed it back without stopping.

Tearing apart Liverpool's defensive positioning.

Fernandinho suddenly made a powerful pass, and Emre Can slid in, wanting to intercept the ball and directly bring down Fernandinho.

Zhao Gang, in the center, took two steps forward, shaking off Wijnaldum. After receiving the ball, he made a half-turn. Wijnaldum stuck close to Zhao Gang, blocking his position and preventing him from breaking through smoothly.

The referee saw Zhao Gang move forward with the ball and didn't blow his whistle, directly gesturing an advantage.

Zhao Gang, moving forward along the center, suddenly made a through ball with his left foot, directly piercing through Liverpool's defense!

The two center-backs failed to intercept the ball and quickly turned to rush towards Aguero, who was preparing to receive the ball.

At the same time, they raised their hands to signal that Aguero was offside!

However, the whistle didn't blow, and they didn't stop, continuing to accelerate towards Aguero.

Aguero had now created a one-on-one opportunity!

This ground ball was extremely precise, almost perfectly placed in the center between the two center-backs.

The positioning of the two was very deliberate. If this pass was slightly off, it could be intercepted by one of the center-backs and cleared directly.

Aguero, running past the two center-backs, stared with wide eyes, the muscles on his legs trembling.

He stepped hard on the turf, taking the lead by half a body.

His first touch was a little clumsy, and the ball went a bit too far, heading towards the six-yard box.

Mignolet rushed out quickly, diving towards the ball!

Aguero charged fiercely, his face contorted, and the two center-backs had already caught up by the time he touched the ball!

Surrounded by the goalkeeper and the two defenders, Aguero, straining every muscle, managed to flick the ball up!

The ball passed over the onrushing Mignolet and rolled steadily into the net!

4-2!

Manchester City's relentless pressing had paid off at the start of the second half!

Aguero scored again, completing his hat trick!

Excited, Aguero ran off the field. If he didn't already have a yellow card, he would have taken off his shirt to celebrate!

Aguero, like a little King Kong, bent his knees slightly, clenched his fists, and roared loudly at the stands.

Hearing his teammates running over, Aguero turned around, his fierce expression instantly turning into a smile.

He grinned, pointing at Zhao Gang who was running over.

It was you again, good brother. How did you pass it?

A group of people hugged each other, while Liverpool's players kept complaining that the goal was offside!

The referee shook his head, raising his hand, indicating no offside.

Play the game properly. After they finish celebrating, you can kick off.

The Manchester City commentator shouted excitedly, "Another hat trick! Aguero! This is his fourth hat trick in eighteen league games this season!

Zhao has now directly assisted Aguero in scoring 21 goals!

Oh my God!!

Oh my God!!

What a combination!

Aguero's struggles in the Champions League have caused many to have considerable opinions about him, but back in the league, he is still that strong, ferocious... Argentine boxing king!!!

Manchester City, behind on the road, tied, then surpassed again, tied again, and after completing the first surpass, scored another goal!"