Chapter 671: Swiss Yoshi
Harry Kane's dribbling drew the attention of Koulibaly and Fabinho. He passed the ball to Rashford, who cut in from the left.
Rashford was momentarily unmarked as Liverpool's defense was pulled apart by Kane and Mbappé's movements. Without hesitation, Rashford opted for a long-range shot just before Liverpool's defenders could close him down.
It was a low, powerful drive skimming the grass at great speed.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson was initially poised to catch it but changed his mind at the last second, realizing the ball had more power than he anticipated. Awkwardly kneeling, he extended his left hand to parry the ball away.
Kane sprinted forward for the rebound, but Alisson quickly scrambled to smother the ball, narrowly preventing a follow-up shot.
Anfield exhaled collectively, the Liverpool supporters relieved after nearly conceding another goal to Manchester United's counterattack.
Halftime: Manchester United led Liverpool 2–1 at Anfield.
For the visiting team, this was an excellent halftime scoreline.
In the visitors' dressing room, Mourinho's satisfaction was evident. His beaming face betrayed his mood as he praised every player—goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards.
"Well done, everyone," Mourinho said, his fist clenched in encouragement. "From trailing to taking the lead, you've all shown resilience. I was confident we could win at Anfield, but your performance has made me even more certain."
Mourinho's pep talk bolstered the team's confidence.
"Liverpool will push hard in the second half. They need a win, so Klopp will likely sacrifice a midfielder for an additional forward."
"If Origi comes on, be mindful of his pace and dribbling."
"If it's Shaqiri…" Mourinho paused with a sly smile. "That Swiss troublemaker has quite the temper. Keep that in mind."
The players chuckled knowingly.
Shaqiri, nicknamed the "Swiss Yoshi," was a prodigy who broke out at Basel at just 18 years old. Known for his agility, speed, and diminutive stature, comparisons to Yoshi were inevitable. However, unlike the reserved demeanor of his supposed counterpart, Shaqiri's fiery personality often led to clashes—sometimes even with his own teammates.
At Stoke City, Shaqiri enjoyed being the focal point of the team. But after transferring to Liverpool, he struggled to compete with Salah and Mané for starting spots. Frustration over limited playtime had even led him to publicly voice dissatisfaction, causing tension within the squad.
Sure enough, Klopp replaced Keïta with Shaqiri at the start of the second half.
Mourinho was momentarily surprised. If it were his decision, Fabinho—who had been out of sorts in the first half—would have been the one subbed off.
Shaqiri slotted into an attacking midfield role, while Fabinho and Wijnaldum formed a double pivot. Mourinho believed Klopp could have opted for a more imposing presence in Origi or Sturridge, but it was clear Liverpool wanted more creativity in the final third.
Second Half Begins
Barely a minute into the second half, the referee blew his whistle for a foul.
Mbappé had wreaked havoc with his speed, bypassing two defenders before Lovren was forced to bring him down.
The Anfield crowd jeered as Lovren received a yellow card, the ensuing free kick awarded in a dangerous area—just outside the penalty box, around 27–28 yards from goal.
Rashford, Bruno, Kane, and Mbappé gathered around the ball, discussing who would take the shot.
Their diverse styles made it challenging for Alisson to predict who might strike. He assessed the situation, reasoning Bruno was the likeliest taker, with Rashford a close second.
Bruno began his run-up but feinted, allowing the ball to pass beneath him. Rashford followed suit but also ran over the ball. Finally, Kane stepped forward and unleashed a strike.
The ball soared over the wall, dipped, and bent sharply toward the right corner.
Alisson dived, tracking its curve, but the ball swerved just enough to evade his outstretched hand, kissed the inside of the post, and nestled into the net.
3–1!
"GOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLL!"
"Harry Kane! What a stunning free kick!"
The commentators erupted with excitement.
"This is a masterclass from Kane! The trajectory, the dip—it's just perfect!"
Mourinho was jubilant on the sidelines, raising his arms in triumph. With a two-goal cushion, victory seemed within reach.
At 3–1, many Manchester United players subconsciously relaxed, assuming the game was secure.
But they underestimated their opponent. Liverpool, known for their resilience, played with renewed energy.
Anfield came alive with fans singing their anthem, "You'll Never Walk Alone," galvanizing the players on the pitch.
In the 73rd minute, Mané dribbled past Fred and cut back from the left. Shaqiri, unmarked 12 yards out, struck a low shot that deflected off Luke Shaw and into the near corner. 3–2.
The stadium erupted.
Suddenly, Manchester United looked uneasy. Liverpool, buoyed by the crowd, pressed relentlessly, while United struggled to regain their earlier composure.
In the 80th minute, Liverpool found their equalizer. Salah delivered a pass to Shaqiri, whose shot from the edge of the box ricocheted off Maguire and looped into the net. 3–3.
Mourinho's frustration was evident.
Two goals from Shaqiri, both aided by deflections, had undone United's hard work. It was a bitter pill to swallow.
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