Chapter 28
Jin Taige stood firm against the media pressure, challenging Wolf to a bet. The fiery exchange between Jin Taige and Wolf had left the latter cornered, his face pale and his heart filled with resentment. Wolf couldn't believe that someone as charming as Tae Mi could be so ruthless.
Seeing Wolf's predicament, Bright, the editor of The Sun, shouted, "Wolf, take the bet!"
Wolf gritted his teeth, thinking to himself, None of you are any help!
Under mounting pressure, Wolf reluctantly agreed to the bet with Jin Taige. Inside, he was seething: What does this have to do with me?!
Little did Wolf know, there's an old saying in the East: If you bring trouble upon yourself, don't blame others.
After hanging up the phone, Jin Taige watched Wolf on TV and Tae Mi's triumphant expression with a proud smile.
Turning to his children, Jin Taige said, "Thank you for waiting quietly while Daddy was on the phone. Now you can talk."
Wen Na, however, looked worried. "Tiger, if you lose, you're not really going to jump into the river, are you?"
Jin Taige pulled her into a reassuring hug. "Remember this: no matter where I am, your husband never loses."
The next day, Wolf published a scathing column in *The Sun*.
"Don't talk about Liverpool being beaten twice this season. At Anfield on August 31, Jin Taige's team won't even make it out alive!"
On the training ground, Jin Taige held up the newspaper and read it aloud to the players with amusement. "With their aging defense, sluggish midfield, and unreliable new signings, I bet they'll be crushed by Liverpool at Anfield!"
Van Persie stepped forward, his voice firm. "Boss, don't worry. We'll make sure you get to watch Wolf's river-jumping livestream at the end of the season!"
"Good man!" Jin Taige nodded approvingly. "Train hard. In a few days, we'll take down Rodgers and his Liverpool!"
As the players threw themselves into training, Jin Taige turned to Scholes and Ferran. "Without Wolf's article, I wouldn't have known how to motivate the team. I really should thank him."
Ferran thought for a moment. "Tiger, if you want to thank him, make sure his river jump is perfect at the end of the season."
"Brilliant idea! I love it!" Jin Taige laughed heartily.
On August 31, Jin Taige and the team arrived in Liverpool a day early, staying at a hotel near Anfield. That afternoon, Jin Taige held a press conference, where he made a bold prediction about the upcoming match.
"I expect Rodgers will park the bus tomorrow, just like Mourinho did. Facing a strong Manchester United, they'll be happy with a draw."
Rodgers, however, fired back at his own press conference later that day.
"Tomorrow, I'll show Jin Taige what real attacking football looks like! The score will be at least 3-0 in our favor!"
The next morning, a reporter relayed Rodgers' comments to Jin Taige, who smirked. "Last season, they barely managed a draw against the defending champions. Rodgers doesn't have the courage to attack us."
The stage was set for a fiery clash. The historic rivalry between the two clubs, the war of words between the managers, and Jin Taige's river-jumping bet had captured the attention of fans and neutrals alike.
At 2 PM on August 31, the match was about to begin.
During the warm-up, Jin Taige received Liverpool's lineup. He studied it carefully and felt a surge of confidence.
Liverpool had opted for an attacking 4-3-3 formation:
- Goalkeeper: Mignolet
- Defenders: Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Johnson
- Midfielders: Gerrard, Lucas, Henderson
- Forwards: Aspas, Coutinho, Sturridge
The substitutes included Jones, Kelly, Flanagan, Ibe, Alberto, Wisdom, and Sterling.
Ferran clapped his hands in delight. "Tiger, your mind games worked! Rodgers actually went for an attacking formation!"
Scholes chuckled. "Captain, you're becoming quite the strategist."
Jin Taige pointed to the lineup. "This is exactly what we expected. I dread facing a parked bus, but an attacking opponent? That's our bread and butter."
Meanwhile, Sky TV's commentators, Morris and Raman, analyzed Manchester United's lineup.
Morris began, "Manchester United are sticking with a 4-4-2 formation, but there are some changes:
- Goalkeeper: De Gea
- Defenders: Smalling, Ferdinand, Alonso (new signing), Jones
- Midfielders: Kanté, Giggs (replacing the injured Carrick), Nani, Mahrez
- Forwards: Rooney, Van Persie
The substitutes are Alisson, Evra, Van Dijk, Rafael, Young, Valencia, and Martial."
Raman raised an eyebrow. "Interesting choices. Jin Taige has gone for a more defensive right-back in Jones, and Rooney is playing deeper, almost in front of Giggs. And look at the bench three defenders! What's he planning?"
Morris defended Jin Taige. "At a place like Anfield, there's nothing wrong with a solid setup."
Raman scoffed. "But look at what Jin Taige said before the game. He mocked Rodgers for not having the courage to attack, yet here he is, playing defensively. It's ridiculous!"
Fifteen minutes before kickoff, both teams were in their locker rooms, receiving final instructions from their managers.
Rodgers, fired up, delivered a passionate speech. "Today, we attack! We must win this game!"
Fifteen minutes before kickoff, both teams were in their locker rooms, receiving final instructions from their managers.
Rodgers, fired up, delivered a passionate speech. "Today, we attack! We must win this game!"
Meanwhile, in the visiting team's locker room, Jin Taige was outlining his tactical plan.
"Liverpool are playing a 4-3-3 formation today. They're clearly determined to attack aggressively. Since they're coming at us, we'll sit back, defend solidly, and wait for them to make mistakes. When they do, we'll hit them hard on the counterattack. Fast, precise, and deadly. Understood?"
"Dream Liverpool! Dream Liverpool!" the players roared, their blood boiling. This was the English national derby, and no one could suppress their excitement.
"One more thing," Jin Taige added, holding up a copy of *The Sun*. He read Wolf's scathing article aloud to the team.
No further words were needed. The players' eyes burned with determination. As they stormed out of the locker room, they saw the Liverpool players not as rivals but as Wolf himself—someone they couldn't wait to tear apart.
With the referee's whistle, the English national derby kicked off. Liverpool, in their traditional red jerseys, immediately launched an assault on Manchester United's goal.
"Lucas wins the ball in midfield and passes to Henderson on the right. Henderson cuts inside and plays it centrally!"
"Gerrard steps up... long-range shot! Over the bar!"
"Manchester United's goal kick is collected by Mignolet, who launches a quick throw."
"Gerrard again, this time passing to Coutinho in front."
"Another long shot! This one is blocked by Jones, who's been solid in the middle."
"In just the first ten minutes, Liverpool have had two shots on goal, both of them dangerous. Let's see how Jin Taige's Manchester United respond."
Scholes, standing on the sidelines, looked nervously at Jin Taige. "Liverpool's attack is relentless."
Jin Taige remained calm. "We anticipated this. Don't worry. Let's see how it plays out."
In the Sky TV commentary box, Raman was mocking Jin Taige. "I finally understand why Jin Taige is playing so defensively at Anfield. Look at Manchester United's lineup: Ferdinand, 35; Giggs, 38; Van Persie, 30. Their spine is over a hundred years old! Meanwhile, Liverpool's young, dynamic attackers are tearing them apart. It won't be long before Manchester United's defense crumbles. I can already picture Jin Taige's frustrated face."
Morris, however, stayed silent, his concern evident as he watched Manchester United struggle.
In the away section of Anfield, led by President Cook, the Manchester United fans roared in support of their team.
"Louder! The team needs us now!" Cook shouted to the fans around him.
"Come on, United!" Rodney, the loudest of the bunch, bellowed.
On the touchline, Rodgers grew increasingly anxious. Twenty minutes in, the score remained 0-0. Liverpool's dominance hadn't translated into a goal, and Rodgers barked instructions to his players. "Push higher! Get the ball forward!"
Liverpool's formation surged forward, with full-backs Enrique and Johnson pushing into the attack. Their 4-3-3 almost morphed into a 2-5-3.
Jin Taige, watching from the sidelines, saw his opportunity. He made a sharp chopping motion, signaling his players to execute the plan they'd rehearsed.
In the 32nd minute, Liverpool's Coutinho, hailed as Gerrard's heir, unleashed another long-range shot. De Gea, Manchester United's goalkeeper, parried it safely.
Raman sighed in the commentary box. "What a shame. That was Liverpool's sixth shot of the game. If not for De Gea's heroics, Manchester United would be trailing. They've been so passive..."
But then, Morris interrupted. "De Gea throws the ball to Ferdinand, who launches a long pass forward! Van Persie is on the move!"
"During Liverpool's attack, almost all of Manchester United's players had retreated into their own penalty area. Even Rooney was helping defend. Only Van Persie stayed up front!"
"Van Persie collects Ferdinand's pass and charges forward. Only Skrtel and Agger stand between him and the goal. This is a golden opportunity!"
"Van Persie dribbles past Skrtel! Now it's just Agger left!"
The Manchester United fans, both in the stadium and watching at home, held their breath. "Beat him! Beat him!" they silently urged.
But Van Persie had other ideas. Agger, unlike the lumbering Skrtel, was quick and agile. A direct confrontation might waste the chance. Out of the corner of his eye, Van Persie spotted a black shirt streaking forward. Without hesitation, he flicked the ball sideways.
Van Persie's pass caught Agger off guard. The Liverpool defender lunged, bringing Van Persie down just outside the penalty area.
Agger scrambled to his feet, waving his arms frantically. "No foul! No foul!" he pleaded with the referee.
At the 32nd minute, Manchester United seized a golden opportunity to counterattack. Van Persie, facing two defenders, dribbled past Skrtel and then played a clever pass to his diagonal rear before being brought down by Agger on the edge of the penalty area.
Agger quickly waved his arms, insisting it wasn't a foul, and turned to the referee for confirmation.
Meanwhile, Morris of Sky TV was shouting excitedly, "It's Giggs! Giggs! Since Ferdinand's long pass, Giggs has been sprinting forward. He hasn't lost a step over the years, and now he's received Van Persie's pass at the top of the box!"
"Only Mignolet stands between Giggs and the goal. What will he do?"
"He shoots! GOAL!!! GOAL!!!"
Morris leapt to his feet. "The ball rockets into the top left corner! Mignolet had no chance! Manchester United lead 1-0! They've breached Anfield's fortress!"
The away fans erupted, chanting Giggs' name and embracing each other in the stands, celebrating the hard-fought goal.
On the sidelines, Jin Taige raised his left arm, index finger pointed to the sky, and let out a triumphant roar, releasing the tension that had built up inside him.
The Manchester United players rushed to Giggs to celebrate with their veteran captain. Giggs high-fived and hugged each of them before making his way to the touchline to embrace Jin Taige. "Boss, we're ahead!"
Van Persie and Ferdinand also joined the celebration. Ferdinand, who had initiated the attack with his long pass, and Van Persie, who had provided the assist, were both flushed with excitement. "Let those critics shut up now!" Van Persie shouted.
Jin Taige leaned in and shouted over the noise, "One goal isn't enough! I need more!"
"Don't worry, Boss. We'll make you proud!" Giggs replied.
As the three veterans made their way back to the pitch, they put on a little show. Giggs walked in the middle, arms draped over the shoulders of Ferdinand and Van Persie, who staggered as if leaning on canes. The trio hobbled back to their half, only to suddenly break into a sprint, high-fiving each other with grins plastered across their faces.
The fans and viewers were puzzled at first, but Jin Taige couldn't help laughing. He grabbed Scholes beside him. "These three are natural-born actors, hahaha!"
In the Sky TV commentary box, Morris was in stitches. "Hahahaha!"
Raman looked confused. "Manchester United just scored, but the game's far from over. Why are you so happy?"
Morris wiped tears of laughter from his eyes. "Raman, didn't you see what Giggs, Ferdinand, and Van Persie just did?"
"I saw, but what's the big deal?"
Morris explained, "Before this game, critics said they were too old to carry Manchester United's spine. But Ferdinand's long pass, Van Persie's assist, and Giggs' goal that entire sequence proved they're still at the top of their game. Their little act just now was a mockery of those who doubted them!"
As Morris' explanation spread, fans who hadn't understood the gesture began to laugh and cheer.
"Hahaha, Ryan, you're the best!"
"Let those critics eat their words! You're still the heart of this team!"
The fans chanted the names of the three veterans, their cheers echoing around Anfield.
Jin Taige, hearing the chants, waved to the fans, urging them to make more noise and fuel the players' energy.
*Even if the three of you are over a hundred years old combined, you're still my most trusted warriors and the backbone of Manchester United's Triple Crown quest!*
After the restart, Liverpool continued to dominate possession, but Rogers grew increasingly anxious. He knew the problem wasn't just the goal they'd conceded but the vulnerability of their high defensive line. Trailing now, he had no choice but to push even harder.
Rogers made a tactical adjustment, pulling Lucas deeper to shield the defense and prevent another counterattack.
Jin Taige noticed the change and responded. He instructed Alonso, who liked to push forward, to stay back and focus on defense, freeing up Mahrez on the left wing to join the counterattacks. Mahrez's speed was Manchester United's secret weapon.
Liverpool's onslaught continued, with Gerrard and Coutinho leading the charge. Both were dangerous from distance, but Kanté shadowed Gerrard closely, denying him space, while Nani dropped back to help contain Coutinho.
The game remained tense as the first half neared its end.
In the 43rd minute, Jin Taige's tactical adjustments paid off.
During a defensive scramble, Aspas tried to nutmeg Alonso near the left touchline, but the ball was intercepted. Without hesitation, Alonso launched a long pass down the left flank.
At first, it seemed like a desperate clearance, but then a black shirt streaked forward at lightning speed Mahrez!
Jin Taige leapt from his seat, his heart racing. This could be it!