The Aftermath

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After the hard-fought match against Liverpool, Dundee United's squad checked into their hotel in Liverpool for a brief rest. The next morning, they would return to Scotland to continue preparations for the new season.

But Liam Carter's wonder goal refused to fade from conversation.

The first place where discussions exploded was Dundee United's official website and fan forums. Supporters flooded in, eager to relive the moment of magic they had just witnessed.

"That goal was unreal! Liam Carter? What a name!"

"I had planned to buy a ticket for Anfield, but after our 0-3 loss at home, I decided it wasn't worth wasting my money in England. Now I regret it. I missed the chance to witness that absolute masterpiece in person!"

"Sure, we lost the tie, but our 17-year-old Liam Carter scored a world-class goal at Anfield. I'd say we actually won the future."

"Don't forget—he's still a Crystal Palace player."

"But we've got a buyout clause, and come next season, he'll be ours!"

One fan, fresh from watching the match at a packed supporters' bar, shared a particularly hilarious moment:

"So, while Liam was lining up for the free kick, some loudmouth next to me suddenly shouted, 'If that scrawny kid actually scores, I'll get a tattoo of his name right now!'"

"And then you all know what happened next… Liam buried it. And now that idiot is surrounded by the entire bar, waiting for him to get inked! Someone's even gone to fetch a tattoo artist. If you want to witness history, get over here!"

"Which bar? I need to see this!"

"That guy's about to have 'Liam Carter' on his skin for life… absolutely priceless!"

Naturally, the conversation spiraled into chaos.

It didn't take long for Dundee FC fans—bitter rivals of Dundee United—to chime in with snarky comments. But even they had to admit, whether grudgingly or not, that Liam Carter's goal was pure class.

England Reacts

Meanwhile, in England, Liam's goal was stirring up debates of its own. After all, he had just scored against Liverpool—at Anfield, no less.

"That free kick was something straight out of David Beckham's playbook. And he's only 17? Man United scouts need to get to Scotland immediately."

"It's actually eerie how similar this is to Beckham's rise. David scored a screamer on loan in his first game for Preston, and look where he ended up. This kid, Liam Carter, is following the same script."

"But Beckham's goal was even crazier—he scored directly from a corner kick in his debut!"

"True, but Beckham was 19 at the time. Liam Carter is only 17 and he did this at Anfield. That's insane."

"Crystal Palace have won the lottery with this kid—assuming he doesn't suddenly drop off the map."

At the same time, frustration was brewing among Crystal Palace fans.

"Wait… I heard Palace included a buyout clause in his loan deal. Is that true?!"

"If that's real, I swear to God, I'm marching straight to Selhurst Park to demand answers!"

"Hahaha, confirmed: Crystal Palace fans are currently rioting on their club's official website. Admins are getting torched for letting Liam Carter go so easily!"

"The guy above must be a Brighton fan—you can practically hear the smugness in his post!"

A Phone Call from Old John

Early the next morning, Liam Carter was still in bed when his phone rang. He groggily reached for it, eyes half-closed.

"Liam? Still sleeping?"

"John… it's 8 AM. I played a brutal match last night—how could I be up early?"

"Hahaha! I know, I know! I wanted to call you right after the game, but I figured you needed your rest. But first thing this morning, I couldn't help myself!"

Liam smirked, stretching lazily.

"So? Was my goal last night great, or was it great?"

"Of course! Though, if we're comparing… it was maybe slightly worse than that beauty I scored back in my day."

Liam burst out laughing.

Dundee United Return Home—But Not as They Left

After breakfast, the team gathered their belongings and headed back to Scotland.

Their European adventure had been short-lived—only two games. But facing Liverpool was always going to be a tough ask.

Still, for the Dundee United fans, there was a silver lining.

Sure, their team was out of the tournament. But they had discovered a rising star in Liam Carter.

When they left for Anfield, he had been just another loanee from Crystal Palace.

But when they returned?

He was the most talked-about player on the team.

"Liam! Liam Carter!!!"

"Liam, that goal was legendary!"

For a small club like Dundee United, seeing one of their players score against a footballing giant like Liverpool was a huge deal.

And the fact that Liam's goal was a highlight-reel masterpiece only made it better.

For the first time, Liam Carter felt what it truly meant to be a fan favorite.

He had spent his whole life dreaming of this moment.

Now? He was living it.

Meanwhile… on the Other Side of the World

While Liam was resting in Liverpool, football reporters in London were busy preparing the day's sports news.

For most of them, the biggest football story of the moment was Barcelona's pre-season tour.

After all, it was a World Cup year, and Barcelona had the hottest names in football—Lionel Messi, fresh off his Ballon d'Or win, and Andrés Iniesta, the man who had won Spain the World Cup.

But among the Champions League and Europa League qualifiers, there weren't many marquee matchups.

Only Liverpool and Juventus stood out. And most people assumed both teams would win their ties comfortably.

Which is why, when they stumbled across Liam Carter's goal, they stopped in their tracks.

"Wait… who is this kid?"

"That free kick is ridiculous. How is nobody talking about this?"

On one of England's biggest football forums, the match thread exploded.

"Who's Liam Carter? Never heard of him, but that free kick was outrageous."

"He's 17. A Crystal Palace loanee. Just made his professional debut. And did that at Anfield."

"Scored a Beckham-esque free kick. Celebrated like Ronaldo. We might have just witnessed the birth of a new star."

One user finally found an old academy picture of Liam Carter.

"Here he is, from his Crystal Palace youth days."

"He's been flying under the radar… but not anymore."

And just like that—Liam Carter's name was out in the world.

For the first time ever, people weren't just talking about his goal.

They were talking about his future.

And Liam Carter?

He was just getting started.

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