Football: The strongest post-zero generation

Around Christmas in the Premier League, for all the Premier League giants, the schedule is the most intensive and it is also the time when new things are most likely to happen. From Christmas to New Year, almost all teams will have several rounds of league games intensively.

So basically, most of the players of the teams cannot get enough rest time, so it is easy to have some incredible scores in these rounds of league games. Manchester City's two consecutive defeats are the best example.

On December 29, in the first few league games of the 20th round of the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur, which had won consecutive victories recently, suddenly capsized.

Tottenham Hotspur, who was at home and led by one goal in the first half, was actually tied by Wolves three goals in a row in the second half, and the opponent successfully turned the game around at home. It was the first big upset of this round.

Fortunately, it was not only Tottenham Hotspur that had an upset. Leicester City also lost 0:1 to the weak Cardiff City team at its home court, making Tottenham Hotspur's upset not seem too lonely.

After learning about the situation of these games, Klopp also got the list of Arsenal's starting lineup for this round.

As he originally thought, Ozil, who was replaced in the first half of the last round, did not appear in the list, while Ramsey, who has been arguing about transfers recently, unexpectedly appeared in the starting list.

Such an opponent lineup gave Klopp a bottom line in his heart. The opponent's weak defense allowed him to boldly play the cards he had always wanted to play in this game.

Liverpool's recent injuries are also quite serious. Gomez and Matip continue to be injured. Fortunately, Lovren, who replaced them, has performed well recently.

In addition, vice-captain Milner and Naby Keita also have some minor injuries, but Liverpool's lineup thickness can also make up for it.

But when Klopp read out the list of starting players for this game in the locker room, most of Liverpool's players were a little surprised.

Except for goalkeeper Allison, defenders Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk and Robertson, the selections were not surprising, but the people Klopp sent in the midfield were indeed a bit unexpected.

"Fabinho and Wijnaldum form a double defensive midfielder." Klopp said seriously: "Shaqiri is the right front midfielder, Firmino is the front midfielder, Mane is the left front midfielder, and Li Qing is the front striker."

The four major attackers all played, and Li Qing actually played as a single striker. Does the head coach want to rely on a large attacking group to solve the battle in the first half?

Klopp did not make any explanation, but directly talked about tactics. "Today's Arsenal lineup seems to have four defenders, but in fact it has three defenders. If I guess correctly, Emery intends to use a 343 formation to attack us." "So at the beginning, Arsenal will definitely use aggressive means, adopt high-pressure and midfield strangulation methods, and strive to break the deadlock first." "They will target our wing advancement and ball speed. Fabinho, you must pay attention when passing the ball, especially when passing horizontally." "The opponent has Aubameyang on the court. His presence will limit our return pass point, and they have four midfielders today. Don't make mistakes in passing and give the opponent a chance to counterattack." Fabinho nodded when he heard this. He was able to start in such an important league and get key reminders and care from the coach. Of course, he said that he would be more careful. Then Klopp pointed to the tactical board and said, "I just said that Arsenal's tactics today must be high-pressure pressing combined with forward insertion and transfer. Once our ball is intercepted by them, they will play a quick counterattack."

"The characteristics of Arsenal's counterattack after intercepting the ball are quick response and multiple forward insertions, so our midfield must pay attention. Although the opponent also put two midfielders on the field today, they are not players who can cover the field."

"So once multiple Arsenal players press forward, their middle will inevitably expose gaps, and that is our offensive opportunity. Li Qing, you must seize it."

"As long as there is an opportunity, I will not miss any!" Li Qing said this confidently, "Boss, don't worry!"

Klopp smiled. Li Qing is the captain on the field today. Since he dared to say this, it proves that he is ready.

"Then I have nothing to say, get ready to go on the field and slaughter the opponent!" Klopp stood up suddenly, and one sentence made the players present excited.

In today's Premier League, how many head coaches dare to shout slogans to slaughter opponents before the game even starts? Even Guardiola of Manchester City may not have the courage, but Klopp dares!

Even at this moment, there are still fans who think that this is a evenly matched game. Even if Liverpool is stronger, at most they can win by one or two goals, and they may even be tied by their opponents.

But both Klopp and Li Qing have already believed that the victory of this game is destined to be Liverpool, and it must be a big win.

After all, Liverpool has not lost a game against Arsenal in the past four seasons, and this season they also beat their opponents 2:0 away from home, achieving a record of 11 consecutive league wins.

The last time Liverpool lost to Arsenal was six years ago, so Liverpool is better than its opponents in terms of psychology and strength.

After Emery got Liverpool's starting list, his heart was pounding, but he could only grit his teeth and go on the court.

Before the game, he told the media: "Liverpool can't finish an unbeaten season like Arsenal did in 2004, and we have started to maintain the momentum of our predecessors. I believe that this game can end the opponent's winning streak."

But in fact, Emery knows his own suffering. Arsenal is now in serious injuries. The main injured players are Mkhitaryan, Bellerin, Holding and Welbeck. In addition, Monreal and Mustafi also have minor injuries.

Therefore, Arsenal will have an absolute vacancy in the back line in this game, which makes Arsenal, which is in urgent need of rotation due to the tight schedule recently, even worse.

The team was tied by Brighton in the last round of the Boxing Day game, and Emery was under great pressure. In the game, Emery was annoyed and kicked the water bottle away after his team made a mistake in handling the ball. Unexpectedly, the water bottle hit the opponent's fans.

If he hadn't explained to the fourth official in time and apologized to the Brighton fans, Emery would definitely be punished and unable to participate in this game.

But because of this, the honeymoon period between Arsenal and Emery has come to an end. If he fails to win this game, the situation he faces will become more severe.