Chapter 227 World Cup Qualifiers

Liverpool was drawn into the death group of Group C. Head coach Klopp and most of the Liverpool players felt great pressure. However, Li Qing was full of expectations for the Champions League group stage that would begin after the international match day.

In fact, according to the schedule of the Champions League group stage, Liverpool, who returned to the Champions League after two years, had time to adapt, because the first round was at home against the weakest Qarabag.

As long as they won the first round, the next group stage against Atletico Madrid and Roma would be much smoother.

However, what Liverpool needs to worry about is the red and blue battle before the start of the first round of the Champions League group stage, the home game against the blue moon Manchester City.

This confrontation will inevitably affect the next Champions League group stage.

Li Qing did not worry about this, he was full of confidence!

After the 2017-2018 Champions League group draw and award ceremony, the media of various countries first focused on the two death groups drawn, and then focused on the World Cup group stage that rekindled the war.

Li Qing and his teammates Henderson and Milner went to the designated hotel of the England national team to check in. During the preparation process, three transfer news about Liverpool attracted his attention.

Coutinho, who wanted to join Barcelona, ​​got his wish. He joined with 125 million euros + 40 million euros floating clause. Liverpool, which had a large amount of cash, signed Van Dijk from Southampton before the end of the transfer window. The transfer fee was 75 million pounds, which is 84.5 million euros in euros, setting a new record for the transfer fee of defenders in world football.

In addition, Chamberlain, who played for Arsenal, joined with 40 million euros, which means that the huge sum of money just received from Coutinho has not yet warmed up and has reached the pockets of Southampton and Arsenal.

Li Qing was a little surprised to see the three transfer news. According to the historical development trajectory, Coutinho will transfer to Barcelona in January next year, and Van Dijk will join Liverpool after Coutinho leaves. Could it be... that it was this little butterfly that caused the historical trajectory to change?

Li Qing smiled when he thought of this. It is a good thing for Van Dijk and Chamberlain to join, which is beneficial to the team, especially Van Dijk, whose ability is urgently needed by Liverpool's defense line.

Klavan and Lovren's defensive skills are really anxious to watch, and the domestic league that just ended is still fresh in my memory.

On September 1, the entire England team took a flight to Valletta, the capital of Malta, to prepare for the 7th round of the World Cup in Russia at the Malta National Stadium the next night.

What is surprising is that Li Qing, who performed well at the beginning of the season, did not appear in the starting lineup. Kung Fu 5 commentator He Wei looked at England's substitute list and raised his eyebrows: "Li Qing is in excellent form, why didn't Southgate put him in the starting lineup?"

Commentator Xu Yang smiled and said: "It must be that Southgate took into account that Li Qing is only 16 years old. It is a challenge for the young Li Qing to prepare for the World Cup group stage just after the tense league. Malta is not a strong team. It doesn't matter whether Li Qing is on the field or not. The key is the next 8th round of home game against Slovakia. That game is decisive."

I don't know whether Malta's defense is too good or England's offense is too poor. At the end of the 45-minute first half, the score on the scoreboard is still 0:0.

England coach Southgate walked to the player tunnel with a livid face. Scotland had won 5:1 when visiting Malta before. As the eldest brother of the Great Britain family, he did not have a good solution on the road.

The faces of the England players, led by Harry Kane, were also ugly, and they were obviously dissatisfied with the first half that did not open the situation.

Before the start of the second half, England took the lead in making substitutions. Li Qing, one of the most dazzling stars of the new season, replaced Sterling.

Sterling was very unhappy to be replaced, but he had to obey the wishes of coach Southgate. He had to sit on the bench depressed and cursed Li Qing in his heart: Don't score, don't score!

"Li Qing replaces Sterling!"

The Kung Fu fans sitting in front of the TV heard the commentator He Wei's shouting, and they were immediately refreshed. Didn't they stay up late to watch the World Cup qualifiers between England and Malta just to watch Li Qing's game?

Li Qing's substitute appearance was immediate. Facing the Malta national team, which was mostly amateur players, he could make full use of his excellent footwork.

He stopped and passed, dribbling into the penalty area. Maltese center back Zerafa stretched his legs half a step too slow, and kicked Li Qing's left foot that was dragging behind. The referee on duty blew his whistle decisively, and pointed his left index finger at the penalty spot.

Through slow-motion playback, Zerafa did kick Li Qing, so the penalty was undisputed.

Captain Harry Kane, who took the penalty, scored in one fell swoop, helping England lead Malta 1:0 away.

Sky TV commentator Andy Gray's voice suddenly rose eight degrees: "Harry Kane scored the ice-breaking goal, but 90% of the credit should be attributed to Li. It was his breakthrough with the ball that caused Joseph Zerafa to foul!"

"England opened the scoring at the beginning of the second half, and the next game will definitely become simpler..."

Commentary guest Martin Taylor laughed.

The restarted game was just as Martin Taylor said. England broke the deadlock and scored three goals in a row, scored by Li Qing, Harry Kane and Vardy who came on as a substitute.

The four-goal lead did not satisfy the visiting England team. Led by Li Qing's offensive rhythm, they scored two more goals. This time the goals were scored by Li Qing and Rashford who came on as a substitute.

When the whistle sounded at the end of the game, England defeated the home team Malta 6:0 and ranked first in the group with 6 wins, 1 draw and 19 points after seven rounds of group matches.

England faced Slovakia at home three days later and defeated Slovenia 1:0 at home, ranking second in the group with 5 wins and 2 losses in 7 games.

Seven rounds of the European Group F group stage of the 2018 Rose World Cup have ended. England ranks first in the group with a four-point advantage. Since the points difference between the two teams is not big, there is a chance to directly qualify with three rounds left in the group stage. However, Obviously, England, which leads in points, has the greatest chance.

If England defeats Slovakia at home in the eighth round, England, which is seven points ahead, will advance to the group stage two rounds ahead of schedule and advance to the main match of the Ross World Cup. Otherwise, Slovakia will win the game, with one point remaining between them, and two games remaining in the group stage. In the case of two rounds, which of the two teams will directly appear first in the group will depend on the specific performance of the last two rounds of the group stage.

After qualifying two rounds in advance and remaining in the final round, the England team obviously hopes to defeat Slovakia at home and return to London with the same goal!

Defeated Slovakia at home and qualified two rounds ahead of schedule!