Chapter 227 Leading

With the referee's whistle, the battle between Notts County and Liverpool for a place in the UEFA Cup semi-finals kicked off.

Liverpool did not hold back because of the away game, on the contrary, they played very unrestrained.

According to the UEFA Cup knockout rules, if the total score between the two sides in the home and away rounds is tied, then the comparison is the number of away goals, so Liverpool put on an active attitude at the beginning, even if they lose in the end, get away goals If so, it can be regarded as occupying a certain amount of initiative.

And Liverpool's performance did not exceed Loew's expectations. Even if the problem of away goals is not considered, Liverpool may not be able to put down the air of a giant. Although Liverpool also knows that Notts County is strong, it really makes them face League One. The team still has to keep a conservative attitude, which is more uncomfortable than killing them, which is like the face of the nobles.

However, just as Liverpool attacked fiercely, it would leave Notts County with a chance to counterattack. As long as it is seized once, the situation of the game will inevitably undergo earth-shaking changes.

Liverpool did not arrange Husky to start today, and Owen is partnered with striker Baros, which is probably a failure of Houllier, at least from the attacking point of the opening minutes.

Taking out the routine of positional attack, but not arranging the tactical center Husky to play, but choosing a moderate Baros, this kind of risk allocation will not bring out too many advantages in the absence of space.

Mascherano was inseparable from Owen even in the positional attack, which greatly weakened Owen's role. As a result, Liverpool's striker was almost invisible.

The offense relies more on midfielders, but Liverpool's wing offensive ability is not strong. If they only go in the middle, they will inevitably face the tight defense of Notts County. When the midfielders saw that they couldn't penetrate Notts County's defense, they simply took a chance and shot a long shot.

Gerrard's foot is a little better, at least it's aimed at the goal, but if it is Haman or Smitchell, it is completely unreliable, and it is not surprising to shoot directly from the front of the penalty area to the corner.

On the other hand, Notts County has a solid defense and a sharp counterattack. After ending Liverpool's attack, the three-footed and two-footed can hit the ball into Liverpool's hinterland, making Liverpool take care of one thing and another.

Not only the coaches of both sides could see the subtlety of the situation on the field, but even the guests in the commentary box could also see it.

Houllier stood on the sidelines, and his brows did not stretch. Although the video of the game showed the super strength of Notts County, but when it came to the real game, he realized that he still underestimated Notts County. Arsenal It is not wrong to lose.

Although Notts County is only based on defense and counterattack,

But from the perspective of the players' tactical literacy, even if they really play a positional attack, I am afraid Notts County will not be afraid.

The game is bad!

Before the game, he didn't expect Notts County to take advantage of the situation and put on a defensive posture. If Notts County played against Liverpool by virtue of their home advantage, then today's arrangement would be reasonable, but now, Baros is completely on the field. Ineffective, the excellent Portuguese central defender from Notts County prevented him from having any temper.

Although I really wanted to make substitutions and adjustments right away, it took so long in the first half. If Baros was replaced directly, it would be a shame for the players.

And the key point is that it was his own mistakes that made the players bear the consequences. He couldn't justify it. It's good to be detached. If you don't make it, you will lose control of the locker room. He doesn't want to see such consequences.

The bitter fruit brewed by oneself must be swallowed no matter how bitter it is.

And just at Houllier's depressed stall, something even more depressing happened.

Liverpool's attack was fruitless again, and Notts County took the opportunity to play a wonderful fast-break counterattack.

Alonso's precise instep long pass found Ribery on the left. The French winger spread his feet and dribbled the ball all the way. Smicer was swept past like a wooden stake, and Riise was shocked. , the side defense changes and retreats to avoid being passed by the opponent.

Seeing that the counterattack situation had formed, Notts County's midfielders suddenly started, as if several arrows shot towards Liverpool's penalty area.

When the Liverpool players were ignorant and did not react, Notts County had formed a 5-on-3 situation in the frontcourt.

The Liverpool players were so horrified that they forgot to return to the defense.

How did Notts County fight back so quickly?

Ribery does not intend to continue to carry it. After all, the closer he is to the bottom line, the fewer choices he has. Since outflanking has formed a numerical advantage, then handing the ball to the middle is the best choice.

Alonso was dragged to the back of the frontcourt in the counterattack. Ribery passed an inverted triangle pass to Alonso's feet. Brother Long glanced at the Liverpool goalkeeper, and a cold light flashed in his eyes.

Seeing that Alonso got the ball in a dangerous position, the Liverpool back line was shocked.

Houllier had reminded them countless times before the game not to give Alonso a chance to shoot long distances in the game. You must know that Alonso's long-range shooting strength is not inferior to Gerrard's. As long as the chances are good enough, he does not. Can't grasp the reason.

Carragher rushed forward, and not far behind, Gerrard, who was back in place, had also slid over and attacked back and forth to break the ball at Alonso's feet and end Notts County's counterattack.

At that moment, the remaining two Liverpool defenders also subconsciously took a step forward, and it was this step that made Liverpool taste the taste of losing the ball.

Alonso feigned a shot, but instead of shooting, he kicked the ball past the last two defenders and landed at the feet of a Notts County player.

Kuyt, the Dutch winger was successful against offside and faced goalkeeper Lehmann after stopping the ball.

Perhaps a really great goalkeeper will create a powerful aura in front of the goal he guards to deter opponent players, such as Kahn. Just looking at his explosive appearance, perhaps the striker who shoots will be weak.

However, although Lehmann is already a good goalkeeper, he has not yet reached greatness, at least when he faced Kuyt's single-handedly, he was not able to prevent the Dutch winger's goal.

After scoring the ball, Kuyt turned around and roared and threw himself on Alonso, venting and celebrating while thanking Alonso for his assist.

The Notts County fans in the stands went crazy at the moment of scoring, boiling into a piece, as if nuclear fission, erupting with a momentum that could destroy the earth. (To be continued.) To find this site, please search for or enter the URL: