"In addition to the whole team having to concentrate and try to pass the ball with one foot, we also have to try to avoid their dense and continuous middle, pass the ball to the two sides when there is a chance, and attack their two wings through quick advancement..."

Coach Adkins analyzes the possible offensive and defensive methods of the 451 formation while drawing tactical diagrams on the whiteboard to explain to the players.

Most of the players were confused.

They seemed to understand, but they also seemed not to understand; they seemed to understand, but they also seemed not to understand...

Going to class is really a waste of brain cells.

For most players who haven't even attended high school, this kind of class that requires them to exhaust their CPU is simply torture. There's no need to worry about tactics. Once they get on the field, they just play the game.

Only a few players were listening carefully to Coach Adkins' tactical analysis. Lambert was even taking notes and drawing the tactical diagrams drawn by Coach Adkins again to understand them in his own way.

Although Gu Ran did not take notes, he listened with great interest and was immersed in it.

As a reborn player with a basketball IQ that is 12 years ahead, Gu Ran naturally has a higher level of understanding of Coach Adkins' tactical explanations.

Liverpool's basic strategy is also quite profound.

Hodgson, nicknamed Ho, was born in Crystal Palace. He was good at leading a small team to play defensive counterattacks! In a club like Liverpool that is full of stars and advocates offense, Ho's defensive counterattack tactics are obviously not suitable for the local environment. In addition, Liverpool was also messed up by the internal friction of the former boss of the "bloody duo", and Liverpool's medical room was always overcrowded, so Liverpool's record last season was indeed not good enough, and they were empty-handed.

Putting aside the issue of victory or defeat, it is not difficult to see from Huo Taigong's improved 451 formation that Huo Taigong is indeed a head coach with great tactical ideas.

Mr. Huo used a formation that looked like a luxurious attacking line and played a counterattack in the frontcourt.

Yes, this somewhat stubborn old man has the blood of defense and counterattack flowing in his veins.

Therefore, tomorrow's match against Liverpool will be a tactical showdown between 442 counterattack and 451 attack and defense! Gu Ran felt more excited.

Next, Coach Adkins began to focus on analyzing which opposing players needed to be guarded.

From their left back Aurier, to Gerrard, Kuyt, Maxi Rodriguez and so on.

Gu Ran couldn't help but feel his blood boiling as he listened to the familiar names.

I will be able to compete against these stars on the court tomorrow!

I really hope that Gerard, Kuyt and other stars can play! It would be fun to play one-on-one with them!

Unfortunately, Liverpool has not signed Suarez yet - Suarez should still be at Ajax and has not been banned from the Dutch league for biting.

Otherwise, there will be a chance to compete with Suarez on the tip of the tongue! In addition, "that man" is not in Liverpool at the moment, but in the Black Cats Sunderland camp.

Of course, more future Liverpool stars are now in Southampton...

Don't worry! Give me another season or two to grow up, and then I will definitely compete with world-class stars on a bigger stage! Gu Ran secretly took a breath and tried to suppress his crazy desire to compete with the strong.

This tactical class lasted a full hour and a half.

Several players in the back row had fallen asleep.

Several players drank too much water and their bladders were about to burst.

After Coach Adkins finished speaking, Coach Andy took the roster and announced the 22-man roster for tomorrow's pre-season friendly.

All the main players, including Gu Ran, are on the list.

Gu Ran was not in the starting lineup, but was on the substitute list - this was also something Gu Ran had expected.

After all, according to the unwritten rules, new players, even superstars, will not start in the first game, but will appear as substitutes in the second half.

What's more, Gu Ran is just a professional rookie now. Not to mention being arranged as a substitute in the first game, even being a substitute for a season is a very normal thing.

Left-back Harding appeared on the starting list.

However, among his five younger brothers, only No. 39 Tafazoli was selected for the roster, and the others were not even substitutes.

In addition, left winger Chamberlain did not get the starting position, which may be related to his recent poor performance - in fact, he is not bad, but he just has to face an opponent like Gu Ran.

As a reserve player, Luke Shaw was not included in the big list, but he was allowed to travel to Anfield with the team to adapt to the atmosphere of the big game.

After Coach Andy made the announcement, he and Head Coach Adkins left the classroom.

The players in the back row also woke up, and the players who were holding their urine could finally release it. The other players also walked towards the court chatting and laughing.

Haldin even deliberately walked past Gu Ran. Although he did not make any sarcastic remarks, his arrogant look undoubtedly showed off his status as a main starter.

Gu Ran smiled and ignored it completely.

In the following time, the whole team, under the leadership of Coach Andy, carried out simple physical recovery training and set-piece offensive and defensive drills.

The team's first penalty taker was No. 22 striker David Connolly, and the first set-piece penalty was also taken by David Connolly.

Lallana took the first penalty for both left and right corner kicks.

As a newcomer, Gu Ran could only cover his crotch and form a human wall during set pieces...

After practicing like this for more than an hour, the team's training finally ended.

Coach Andy gathered the team and Coach Adkins gave a speech, requiring every player not to be late tomorrow morning, not to go to bars or drink at night, and not to be affectionate.

After the disbandment, the players left the field feeling relieved.

Gu Ran stayed and practiced shot put for another hour.

After training, Gu Ran took a nice shower and then went to the restaurant to have an enhanced demon dinner.

It's really boring to just eat these things during this period of time.

Gu Ran really wants to eat someone now.

After dinner, Gu Ran drove back to the Dune Villa.

As soon as the door opened, another bright red talent point bubble appeared in front of me.

Gu Ran immediately received it happily from a distance.

Elizabeth's output has been very stable in the past two days, and Gu Ran has already accumulated 6 talent points!

6 talent points are enough to shock Anfield! "Gu! You're back!" Elizabeth, wearing red silk pajamas, happily ran over to greet him.

Gu Ran, who had been holding back for several days, couldn't help swallowing his saliva when he saw Elizabeth's turbulent emotions, "Yes, I'm back, Liz."

"Are you tired from today's training? Come and lie down!" Elizabeth smiled innocently, "I'll massage your arms."

Holy shit…

Let's not do it tonight, right? I really want to go to bed early!

Gu Ran immediately said, "Don't massage my arms tonight. I have a competition tomorrow."

Elizabeth was stunned for a moment, then nodded sensibly, "I see... Then I will massage your thighs."

Oh my god! That's not what I meant!

I mean, at my age and your age, you shouldn't have skin contact, right? I can't sleep if I just press my arm, and I'm afraid I can't stand it if I press my thigh! Tomorrow is my first professional match! And the opponent is Liverpool! I have to be self-disciplined!

Gu Ran gritted his teeth and hardened his heart, "Liz... then press it twice, just twice."

Ahem…

It's not that I'm not self-disciplined enough, but my young body controls me!

Besides...if you just massage your thighs a few times, there shouldn't be any big problem.

If you press on her arms, you might accidentally touch Elizabeth's breasts, but if you press on her legs, that definitely won't happen.

Elizabeth cheered happily, "Great, I'm so happy that I can do something for you before your game! Come on, Gu, lie down quickly."

Gu Ran gritted his teeth and lay down.

Elizabeth's slender fingers gently placed on Gu Ran's thigh.

Gu Ran's thigh muscles tensed up instantly.

Elizabeth smiled and said, "Gu, why are you so nervous?"

Gu Ran said: "I didn't, it was just a normal...muscle reaction."

Damn it, stop praising me! And don’t look at me with the eyes of a little girl worshipping a handsome guy! I’m afraid I really can’t stand it! Elizabeth pressed twice, then suddenly stopped and took out her cell phone.

Gu Ran asked in surprise: "Liz, what are you doing?"

Elizabeth smiled and said, "Gu, your legs are so beautiful. I, I can't help but want to take a picture and send it to my two sisters so that they can see it too!"

Damn...you guys are really sisters...

Gu Ran covered his face, "Okay, stop slapping my face..."

"Okay!" After getting permission, Elizabeth took out her cell phone and took a lot of photos of Gu Ran's thighs.

After the shot, Elizabeth continued to press harder.

Gu Ran felt that if this continued, he would definitely not be able to sleep tonight, so he quickly held Elizabeth's hand and said, "Liz, let's stop here."

Elizabeth was a little unsatisfied. "Is it just this short of time?"

Oh shit!

Sister Ao, are you complaining about me?

It's not convenient for me these few days, please wait until I finish the game!

Gu Ran reached into his trouser pocket and took out a ticket, handing it to Elizabeth, "This is our ticket for the match against Liverpool. Your seat will be in the back row of the visiting team's bench, next to the Southampton wives' seat. The match starts at 3pm, so you'd better be at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium around 2pm to enter."

Elizabeth happily took the ticket and said, "Thank you, Gu! Thank you for inviting me to watch the game! I will definitely go on time tomorrow!"

Gu Ran stood up and said, "Then I'm going to take a shower and go to bed."

Elizabeth nodded quickly and said, "Okay, I wish you all the best tomorrow!"

"Thanks."

Gu Ran walked into the doorless bathroom and started the ice and fire therapy.

Tomorrow is the match against Liverpool, so ice and fire therapy is essential.

Fortunately, after the treatment, Elizabeth did not squat at the bathroom door.

After Gu Ran returned to the master bedroom wrapped in a bath towel, he adjusted his mentality and went to bed early.

The next morning, after getting up, Gu Ran did some simple low-intensity training in the gym, then had some ice and fire therapy, and then drove to Staplewood Training Base for breakfast.

At 10 a.m., led by head coach Adkins, Southampton players took a bus to the airport and changed to a plane to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

The airport is approximately 13 kilometres away from Anfield Stadium.

The reason why it was named after John Lennon is because John Lennon was from Liverpool.

After arriving in Liverpool, the players took a special chartered bus to Liverpool's home stadium: Anfield Stadium.

Anfield Stadium is located in the Anfield area of ​​Liverpool city centre.

As soon as the Southampton bus entered the city of Anfield, you could feel the city's frenetic football atmosphere.

The Phoenix LFC logo can be seen almost everywhere on both sides of the street, and some shops are playing classic Beatles songs.

It was clearly lunch time, but there were already quite a few fans wearing Liverpool jerseys waiting for their home team's fan bus outside Anfield Stadium.

They held beers and sang "You'll Never Walk Alone."

Only football can make them forget the troubles in life.

Of course, not winning will also bring them greater troubles.

Southampton's chartered bus slowly drove through the crowd of fanatical fans.

When the bus entered Anfield Stadium, Gu Ran became uncontrollably excited.

This legendary stadium is one of the most famous iconic sports stadiums in the Premier League, one of the largest combined-seat stadiums in Europe, a four-star stadium rated by UEFA, and a mecca for Liverpool Red Army fans.

The stadium adopts the Southend-West Victorian architectural style, especially in the exterior, which uses a lot of red brick exterior walls.

There is a bronze monument at the main entrance of the stadium to commemorate the players who died for their country in World War I.

Inside the stadium, there are four huge stands: Copley Park Stand, the Glorious Centenary Stand, Anfield Road Stand and the Main Stand.

Among them, the Copley Park Stand is the most famous stand in the world, and its abbreviation is well-known: KOP.

This stand located at the south end of Anfield Stadium is the stand for the most enthusiastic, passionate, crazy and loyal Liverpool fans.

During World War I, many soldiers from Liverpool died on a hill called Copley in South Africa. In order to commemorate them, this stand was named Copley Park Stand, abbreviated as KOP.

The KOP stand was first built in 1906 and was originally just an ordinary single-tier standing stand.

——In the early days, you could buy standing tickets to watch a game. Many fanatical but poor fans crowded into the KOP stands, some even squeezed so hard that they couldn’t even put their feet down but still pushed forward.

In almost every game, there are more than 30,000 fans standing in the small KOP stands to watch the game.

Due to excessive crowding, fans who arrived too late could only be lifted up over the heads of fans who arrived earlier on the outer layer and "transported" to the back of the stands through their arms.

It is also common that when fans are being "transported", the home team happens to score a goal, and then the crazy fans repeatedly throw the "transported" fans into the air to celebrate.

In winter, the KOP stand was even more shocking. Due to too many people and too much hot air exhaled, the entire KOP stand was shrouded in white fog. Some people even suffered from heat stroke in the sub-zero temperature and had to be "transported" out with their arms to cool down, and then be "transported" back to continue watching the game.

KOP is definitely the craziest stand, no doubt about it.

The fans in the stands never stopped singing passionately and waving their arms.

It was not until after the Hillsborough disaster and the Heysel Stadium disaster that the English Football Association no longer allowed standing tickets. So, after 1994, the crazy KOP standing platform was changed to sitting seats.

After two major renovations, the Kop can now accommodate more than 12,000 Red Army fans - less than half of the number of fans in the Kop's heyday.

Speaking of the fan nickname "Red Army", it is actually not a name given by domestic Liverpool fans. This is the name that the local die-hard fans of Liverpool call themselves.

Red is the background color of Liverpool, including the entire Anfield Stadium, whether it is the seats in the stadium, the walls of the player tunnel, or even the toilets, they are all red.

But what is quite amazing is that Liverpool's earliest home jerseys were mainly blue and white - very similar to Everton's jerseys.

After all, Liverpool FC was formed when Houlding, the owner of Anfield Stadium, wanted to raise the rent of Everton, the only professional team in Liverpool at the time, but failed (Anfield Stadium was originally Everton's home ground). So the original Liverpool did have many Everton influences.

Why did Liverpool's main color change to red? On the one hand, it was to get rid of Everton, but more importantly, it was because of a legendary Liverpool coach: Bill Shankly.

Shankly is an avid fan of the Red Army.

That’s right, what he admired was our Red Army’s 25,000-mile Long March!

Bill Shankly believed that the Red Army was a magical team that was not afraid of any difficulties, could turn desperate situations around, was unparalleled, was full of faith, and was close to the broad masses of people. During his coaching tenure, Shankly told the players the story of the Red Army in almost every training session, and he also named his team Reds.

Soon, the word "Red Army" became the spiritual belief of Liverpool fans. Liverpool's die-hard fans also began to take it as an honor to call themselves "Red Army", and the background color of Liverpool's home jersey also turned red.

Since then, Liverpool has had real temperament.

Under the guidance of this Red Army spirit, Shankly took only five years to bring a team struggling in the English League Two to the highest level of the English League One at the time, and won two English League One championships! He created one Anfield miracle after another! Shankly laid the foundation for Liverpool's football genes: football is not about life and death, but it is above life and death! This football culture also made Gu Ran's blood boil uncontrollably.

When I walked down from the parking lot of Anfield Stadium and saw red everywhere, this passion became even more difficult to control.

For a moment, Gu Ran even had a thought in his mind: I should play football here.

After having this thought, Gu Ran suddenly realized that this friendly match was most likely a temptation from Liverpool FC to him.

Of course, it could be that I'm overthinking it.

Gu Ran smiled and cleared the thoughts from his mind.

I have to concentrate on the game! No matter what Liverpool Club's intentions are, no matter what the outcome of this game is, in short, I'm here, and I want Liverpool fans to see me! Gu Ran walked towards the locker room with an extremely firm step!

"Hey Gu——" Assistant Coach Andy reminded, "You've gone to the wrong place. That's the home team's locker room."

"oh……"

Gu Ran walked back with firm steps.

(End of this chapter)