When playing against a team with strong offensive pressure, this 451 is simply a magic weapon to achieve victory by surprise.

However, playing against a weak team is a bit like... a dead eunuch entering the bridal chamber, anxious but unable to do anything.

Defensive counterattack is to wait for the opponent to attack, seize the opponent's flaws when he attacks, prevent the opponent's moves, and then quickly counterattack.

Now that Southampton has no attack, Liverpool's 451 counterattack is obviously useless.

That is to say, Liverpool has many stars and their individual strength is strong enough. In addition, Southampton played really badly in the first half hour of the game, so Liverpool was able to score two goals right away.

By the end of the first half, Liverpool's fatigue was already showing.

As Southampton gradually found the feeling of defending under the on-the-spot command of coach Adkins, Southampton also had several good counterattacks.

It's a pity that there was no result.

Gu Ran, who had been sitting on the bench and watching the game silently, gradually felt relieved at this time.

Gu Ran couldn't help but secretly admire in his heart: Coach Adkins is really professional, he is worthy of being the magical coach who can lead Southampton to achieve a triple jump in the future! Although Coach Adkins's tactics do not look good, the situation has been very passive so far, although the current score is still two goals behind, although the ball possession rate and number of shots are completely crushed by Liverpool, although the Southampton players are suppressed in their own half most of the time...

However, the situation has almost stabilized.

Moreover, Liverpool's physical energy consumption is already far higher than Southampton's.

If we continue playing like this, there is a high chance that things will turn around.

——If Gu Ran could see it, then Mr. Huo could naturally see it as well.

Hodgson began to make substitutions one after another.

Left-back "Biscuit" Aurelio replaced Koncheski to strengthen Liverpool's attack on the left side.

"The Strong God" Glen Johnson replaced Kyrgiakos to intensify physical confrontation.

"Brazilian Gerrard" Lucas Leiva replaced Christian Poulsen to improve the efficiency of the ball in the midfield and frontcourt.

After Liverpool made substitutions, Southampton immediately felt strong pressure again.

Southampton was suppressed and had almost no chance to counterattack.

The situation that Southampton had just stabilized immediately became even more tense and embarrassing.

Especially after the strong god Glen Johnson came on the field, it was like a human tank! No one on the Southampton team could withstand Glen's impact.

There were dangers lurking in front of Southampton's goal.

Davis dived left and right, loudly directing the defense line to make timely fill-in positions.

Although Davis has conceded two goals so far, the main responsibility does not lie with him, and Davis also saved at least three sure-shot goals. It can be said that if Davis had not been the goalkeeper and the commander, Southampton would have conceded more than five goals by now.

Amid Davis' roars, Southampton fans also felt the players' hard work on the field, and they waved Saints flags to cheer for the players.

The fans in the KOP stands sang various songs.

Liverpool is worthy of being the hometown of John Lennon. Liverpool fans really like to sing.

Anfield Stadium seemed to have turned into a large KTV scene.

From "Allez", to "Field of Anfield Rd", to "We Love You Liverpool", to "We Are Liverpool", to "When the Reds Go Marching In"... one song after another, without stopping in between.

Especially when singing "when the Reds go marching in", all the Liverpool fans were very excited.

After all, the melody of this song is based on the melody of Southampton's team song.

Although this melody is not unique to Southampton, it was obviously intentional to sing "The Red Army Marches On" when playing against Southampton.

Liverpool's first team song "You'll Never Walk Alone" has not been sung by Liverpool fans until now - they feel that in this must-win pre-season friendly match, there is no need to use their strongest team song.

Although the game was dull, the singing of Liverpool fans became the protagonist.

Southampton Saints fans are about to explode with rage!

At this time, the Saints fans urgently need a goal to fight back against the KOP fans!

But... it's easier said than done! It's good enough if we don't collapse! There's not much time left in the first half.

In the remaining ten minutes of the first half, Southampton was suppressed and defended in its own half.

Liverpool made several coordinated attacks in the frontcourt and won many free kicks and corner kicks, but failed to achieve any new results.

The physical strength of both sides declined significantly.

In the injury time of the first half: Aurelio completed a wonderful two-on-two combination with Joe Cole on the left side and broke through Southampton's right side.

Joe Cole dribbled the ball inside, attracted at least three Southampton defenders, and immediately passed the ball to Lucas on the other side.

Lucas dribbled the ball forward and shot from the edge of the penalty area before Southampton's defense was fully closed! Davis reacted quickly and jumped up to save the ball with one hand!

But it's too late!

Lucas' long shot was very powerful, fast, and had a good angle!

Davis fell helplessly on the grass, turned around and watched the football go into the net!

Lucas scored a goal less than ten minutes after coming on the pitch!

The score on the big screen was immediately changed to Liverpool 3:0 Southampton! The KOP stands were completely boiling! The KOPs hugged each other and danced, leading the singing of "Kenny D The Pride of Liverpool": "...it's, Easy! Easy!" Everything is simple! Simple! "Wow, here we go!" Oh, let's move forward together!

"Nothing's gonna stop us now!" We are unstoppable! "We've got the world at our feet!" The world has been conquered by us! "And with Dalglish in the seat!" As long as Dalglish is there! "We'll do it all again somehow!" We will always succeed again! The entire Anfield stadium is full of momentum!

Three goals were scored in the first half, and the outcome was decided!

Liverpool fans have started cheering for victory!

The Southampton fans who came from afar had sadness on their faces.

We lost three goals in the first half, which made it very difficult to turn the tables, especially when our opponent was the powerful Liverpool and we were playing at the invincible Anfield Stadium. It was really difficult to turn the tables.

The Saints also knew the gap in strength between their team and Liverpool, but when they heard the mocking singing of "Easy, Easy", the Saints' mentality still collapsed.

The Southampton team had lost all morale and the players on the field were extremely depressed.

Even Chamberlain, who had been clamoring to play, now sat dejectedly on the bench, shaking his head.

Although he didn't say anything, his meaning was clear: If I wasn't allowed to play, you see, we're doomed to lose, right? Coach Adkins frowned and said nothing.

At this time, the referee blew the whistle and the first half of the game ended.

Liverpool players happily applauded the KOP fans, as if the game was over.

The Southampton players were too ashamed to face the Saints fans who had come from afar, and they all walked back to the player tunnel with their heads down in dejection.

Several Saints fans in the north Anfield Road stands excitedly shouted "Adkins out!"

It was only the first pre-season friendly, and only the first half had passed, but Saints fans couldn't stand it anymore.

It's not just because of the score of 3:0, but also because Adkins' tactical guidance was too conservative. There was no passion on the scene. It can be said that it was both an ugly loss!

Adkins pretended not to hear and walked straight into the player tunnel with a poker face.

Now, Southampton fans only have one tiny hope, that is, Gu Ran can appear in the second half.

As the players from both teams retired for the half-time break, a local Liverpool band came on stage and began to lead the KOP fans in a victory celebration.

The band started with a soothing song "Field of Anfield Road", and the audience sang along.

The singing not only shook the Anfield stadium, but also the entire Anfield area, where the KOPs' passionate singing could be heard.

Linda, the proprietress on the main stand, twisted her body happily to the music.

Liverpool performed well in their first pre-season friendly match, which was a good sign. As the owner of Liverpool, Linda was naturally very happy.

But at the same time, Linda was a little worried:

"Michael, we are already 3:0 in the first half. Will the Southampton coach not send Gu Ran to play in the second half?"

Edwards blinked and replied, "It's hard to say. But Southampton was basically defeated. The opposing coach might have put all the main players on the field in the second half just to save face. Not letting the newcomers play can be considered as protecting them."

Linda quickly asked, "Doesn't the contract state that Gu Ran must appear?"

Edwards shrugged. "Yes, but if the opposing coach only lets Gu Ran play in the last 5 minutes, then we can't say anything."

Linda sighed and lowered her voice, "...I really want to see how Gu Ran plays in this unfavorable situation! But, I'm afraid it's really like you said, Gu Ran will only play in the last 5 minutes."

Right now.

In the Southampton dressing room.

The players sat dejectedly in front of their lockers, and no one spoke.

Coach Adkins crossed his arms over his chest, pursed his lips and said nothing, like a solidified plaster statue.

When he was directing on the spot, Coach Adkins almost never stopped talking, but after leaving the court, Coach Adkins returned to his sullen and poker-faced state.

Silence is the best question.

The players were on pins and needles, each of them feeling uneasy.

Especially Hammond, Pulis, Butterfield, and Tafazoli who came on later.

Hammond and Pulis made frequent mistakes in the first half and were responsible for all three goals conceded.

Although right-back Butterfield had a good run, his cross was too loose and his performance was not good enough.

Tafazoli, who came on later, is one of Haldin's younger brothers. He also had no performance and was almost invisible.

In the first half, Lallana and Schneiderlin's performances were also unsatisfactory and were far from the level they should have been.

Connery, who came on later, suffered a recurrence of his old knee injury during the confrontation with the strong Glenn. His post-match rating must have been terrible.

Harding's performance was okay, with several brilliant interceptions, but he made no achievements in offense, not to mention breaking through the wing, he didn't even make it past the half court many times.

Walton's physical strength was running out, so he was hiding in a corner, secretly taking snuff to refresh himself.

Davis' performance was actually pretty good, but Davis lost 3 goals and didn't dare to look up and speak.

The entire visiting team's locker room was as gloomy as water, and everyone was almost suffocating in this silence.

It was a long time later.

Assistant coach Andy cleared his throat and whispered to the statuesque head coach Adkins: "Coach, it's time to go on the court soon. Do you want to give the players a lecture?"

Adkins then moved, looked around with sharp eyes, and said in a slightly hoarse voice: "Everyone is a professional, in the second half... play well."

DAVIES: ...

Chamberlain: ...

Gu Ran: ...

Other players: …

I thought Coach Adkins was going to explode in anger and yell at everyone, but I didn't expect that after more than ten minutes of silence, he would just say such a light-hearted remark!

Captain Davis stood up and said, "Brothers! The coach is right! We are all professional players! We must live up to our professional contracts! We must live up to the Saints fans who have come from afar to support us! In this game, we must play with the blood of Southampton! Even if we lose in the end, we must not let the fans down!"

“That’s right!”

“The Saints are marching forward!”

"Come on! Southampton!"

The players formed a circle, put their palms together, and cheered for themselves.

The lifeless Southampton team finally regained some morale.

After refueling, the players walked out of the locker room and headed towards the player tunnel.

When Gu Ran was about to follow him out, Coach Adkins called him, "Gu, wait a moment."

"Yes, coach."

Coach Adkins said: "Today, I am going to give you only the last 5 minutes of playing time."

Gu Ran's heart sank.

5 minutes of garbage time, what a waste! I can do it for 90 minutes without stopping!

Gu Ran was complaining madly in his mind, but his face did not show any unhappiness.

Although he is the same age as Chamberlain, as a reborn person, he is much calmer than Chamberlain.

Besides, Coach Adkins is a big breather…

Sure enough, Coach Adkins said, "But I want to hear your opinion first."

Gu Ran immediately said: "Coach, as a player, I obey your arrangements. If you want to hear my true thoughts, then I would say, please give me more playing time, and I will give you an Anfield miracle!"

Coach Adkins' poker face suddenly trembled, and his face was full of shock.

As a head coach, he has seen all kinds of players, some are timid and cowardly, some are arrogant and unbridled, but this is the first time that Coach Adkins has seen a player as calm and confident as Gu Ran.

Chamberlain is also very confident, but compared to Gu Ran's confidence, it is not on the same level at all.

Coach Adkins pursed his lips slightly and said, "If you come on in the second half and we still lose this friendly match by a large margin, the Saints fans who have high hopes for you will turn their love for you into hatred for you, and you will bear the responsibility for the loss that you should not have borne."

Gu Ran smiled slightly, "I know."

Coach Adkins asked, “Do you dare to go out there knowing that?”

Gu Ran's black eyes were full of passion and desire for competitive sports. "It is precisely because I know that I have to play. I can't back down to protect myself when the fans have high hopes for me. That's not me. This is me."

Coach Adkins was slightly startled, then nodded slightly to Gu Ran, and without saying anything else, he walked straight out of the locker room.

Coach Adkins' steps seemed more determined than when he returned to the locker room.

The second half started with the KOP fans cheering and jumping.

The two sides changed venues, Liverpool stood in the south half, attacking from south to north, while Southampton stood in the north half, attacking from north to south.

Southampton still adopted a defensive approach, retreating to their own back half.

With three goals in hand, Liverpool played very relaxed, with all three lines pushing past the half court.

Just five minutes into the second half, Southampton striker Connolly was knocked to the ground by the strong man Glen again.

Connery covered his knees in pain and lay on the ground for a long time without being able to get up.

After checking the situation, the referee signaled for a stretcher to be brought on the field.

Connery's situation doesn't look very optimistic and he will not be able to play for at least a month.

This is undoubtedly adding insult to injury for Southampton.

Coach Adkins made an immediate substitution.

No. 9 Bernard was substituted in.

At the same time, No. 6 Fonte replaced the underperforming right-back Tafazoli.

No. 7 Lambert replaced midfielder Hammond who had a poor performance.

However, Adkins still did not let Gu Ran appear on the stage.

Gu Ran continued to remain calm and waited patiently while sitting on the bench.

On the other side, coach Hodgson also began to replace the team's main players one after another.

Although Liverpool is already leading by three goals, the main players still have to appear on the field.

No. 5 center back Daniel Agger replaced Skrtel, and No. 23 deputy Jamie Carragher replaced Darby.

In this way, Liverpool's defense line is already a full main lineup.

As soon as Jamie Carragher came on the field, Joe Cole ran up with a smile, took off the captain's armband he had worn for most of the game, and put it on Carragher's arm.

Carragher happily high-fived Joe Cole, then quickly ran to take his position.

The game continues.

In the ten minutes after the substitution, Liverpool's attack continued wave after wave.

Southampton's defense was as messy as it could be.

Fortunately, Liverpool did not have much coordination, and the offense was basically a show of individual shots.

Southampton's defense once again withstood Liverpool's fierce bombardment.

Although the scene was ugly, the score did not widen further.

Southampton seemed to have stabilized the situation again.

The game was in the 65th minute...

(End of this chapter)