Chapitre 62: The Reds (4)

Southampton's goal was surprising Ralf Ragnick. If it's just one goal maybe Ragnick could think of it as a coincidence, but Southampton has scored two goals, which means the team is in a good performance. Although Ragnick still believed in Liverpool's victory, he did not dare to underestimate Southampton, especially since their young striker, Kazuki, frequently gave Liverpool surprises.

At the time against Tottenham, Kazuki scored two goals. Against The Cityzen, Kazuki did not score, but he was the player with the highest rating among others Southampton players in the match at that time. Then, Kazuki scored 1 goal against Chelsea. In the match against Arsenal, Kazuki created many chances, it's just that the other Southampton players were not able to take advantage of those opportunities well, in such circumstances Kazuki still scored goals.

"Looks like number 28 is doing well, are we going to mark him tighter?" asked the Liverpool assistant coach.

Ralf Ragnick rubbed his chin. He then said, "Let Jordan Henderson and Gomez guard him tighter. Also, tell Lucas to help Enrique defend the left side. The player named Rustan has excellent pace, Enrique has a hard time keeping him by himself."

The assistant replied, "Lucas doesn't look like he's going to be happy with your instructions."

Ragnick sighed, among the Liverpool players, the player with the least running distance, apart from the goalkeeper, in every game was Lucas. Lucas really helps Liverpool in building attacks, but he is a bit lazy when Liverpool has to defend.

Ralf finally decided, "Just give him the instructions, if he doesn't comply, I'll replace him."

The assistant coach nodded, he then ran to the side of the field and called Jordan Henderson, and relayed Ragnick's instructions to him.

Meanwhile, after conceding the second goal, Liverpool returned to attack Southampton. They had the ball dominantly in two-thirds of the Southampton defense's area. The Saints continued to try to survive Liverpool's attack by piling players in the penalty box.

In a deadlock like this, a floated pass would be Liverpool's best way to break into Southampton's goalpost. However, Liverpool's forwards were less proficient in aerial duels. Ahmed and Sisinho may be able to do it once in a while, but they were not the kind of players who are good at aerial duels.

Enrique and Glen Johnson bombarded the Southampton defense with sharp crosses into the penalty box. However, Okhalo and Hilton were able to withstand the attacks launched by Liverpool.

In the 40th minute, Southampton managed to get the ball. Enrique's cross that failed to be used by Liverpool's forwards was successfully secured by Okhalo. The Southampton center-back headed the ball out of the box. Rudolf received the ball and gave it to Vicente. Lucas intercepted Vicente and gave him a tackle. Lucas managed to bring down Vicente, but the ball bounced into the middle.

Ryan got the ball and dribbled into the Liverpool defense area. Steven Roger came from behind and held Ryan's shirt tightly. Ryan passed the ball to Kazuki. However, Jordan Henderson did a body charge which pushed Kazuki up. Henderson then got the ball. After that, he gave it to Glen Johnson.

Shortly after that, Glen Johnson crossed the ball into the penalty box. Ahmed managed to get the ball but Okhalo blocked Ahmed, so the Egyptian had no space to shoot. Ahmed pulled the ball with his feet and turned around. Then, he gave the ball to Sterling.

Sterling received the ball, now he was only dealing with the goalkeeper. Sterling kicked the ball. When all the Liverpool fans were about to cheer, Sterling's shot flew high above the Southampton goalpost. Sterling immediately held his head in shock from his kick. In such a close range, Sterling failed to kick the ball properly.

Until the end of the first half, Liverpool could not equalize.

George is still satisfied with his team's performance, even he did not expect Southampton to be ahead in the first half. Therefore, he did not change players. He only made a few adjustments to his defensive strategy. In the first half, Liverpool's fullbacks were too free, so they could send dangerous crosses.

Meanwhile, Liverpool also did not change their players. Ragnick still trusts his players. He only motivated the players to play better. Of course, he also criticized Sterling for wasting chances. Even though Sterling is still young, Ragnick had high expectations of him. He made a note in his heart if Sterling still wasted chances in the second half, then Ragnick would replace him.

After 15 minutes, the game starts again. Southampton started the second half with a kick-off. After Southampton started the kick-off, Liverpool immediately pressed aggressively. Early in the game, Southampton tried to attack Liverpool.

Sisinho gave pressure to Okhalo, who had the ball. The Southampton center-back gave Hilton the ball. Hilton bounced the ball, then he pass the ball to Simone. Steven, Roger went upward and confronted Simone. The Southampton captain used his hand to keep Roger away from the ball, then he passed the ball to Southampton left-back, Ben Carter.

Ahmed ran to press Ben Carter, while Henderson had guarded Wright-Phillips. Carter pulled the ball, then pushed the ball diagonally to the center. Ahmed tried to grab the ball, but Ben Carter changed the direction of the ball to be horizontal to the side. After that, Ben Carter gave Rudolf the pass. Rudolf broke free from Lucas' guard, then continued the ball with pass it to the right. Vicente did a body charge on Sterling, then took the ball.

The Southampton right-back kicked the ball forward. Rustan had received the ball, when he was receiving the ball, Rustan bounced it over Enrique's head who was behind him, then, he ran after the ball. Rustan immediately provided a through ball into the middle.

Kazuki accelerated his run, he tried to get the ball before Matip. Kazuki managed to get the ball, but his position was too sideways, so he couldn't face the Liverpool goalpost comfortably.

Kazuki gave a back-pass to Ryan. Ryan received the pass then, he gave a cross to the left. Wright-Phillips broke through the box and got the ball, he shot straight to the goalpost. This time Jim Becker caught the ball easily.

Jim Becker threw the ball forward. Steven Roger defeats Simone in an aerial duel. Then he headed the ball to the right. Liverpool right-back Glen Johnson pushed the ball forward and ran with all his might. Sisinho and Ahmed were swapping directions suddenly. Sisinho ran to the side while Ahmed ran to the center. Sisinho received the ball from Glen Johnson and then provided a through ball to Ahmed.

The Egyptian player received the ball and then dribbled it into the Southampton penalty box. Dean Smith ran to try to get the ball from Ahmed, but Ahmed calmly passed Dean Smith and then kicked the ball into the empty net. Ahmed immediately ran to the side of the field and celebrated.

Liverpool fans cheered loudly. They vent their joy together. Meanwhile, Southampton's players kept their heads down, they didn't expect Liverpool's counter-attack to be so sharp. However, this is Liverpool, a team that has led the 2011/2012 English league table from the start of the season.

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