Liverpool's youth academy offered outstanding conditions.
The dining hall was excellent—meals weren't tied to performance at all. Every player could eat there freely. Professional chefs planned balanced menus to ensure the young players received proper nutrition.
After joining the academy training squad on July 17, Leo Lin officially began hellish training, pushing hard to raise his attribute values. The focus was on explosiveness, speed, and Long-Range Shooting.
Leo Lin had no intention of turning into a "wheelchair" the moment he stepped onto the pitch.
As an all-around midfielder, he needed powerful explosive bursts to drive forward, helping the team instantly shift from defense to attack and seize Counterattack opportunities.
Leo Lin knew very well that he had to make significant gains before the new youth league season began. Only then could he fight for an early promotion to the first team.
Because his base attributes were relatively low, his improvements came quickly—especially the five attributes enhanced by the Heavy-Artillery All-Rounder growth bonus, which rose at a visibly faster pace.
It felt like the difference between 40 points and 50 points.
Clearly, the latter was much easier—just getting two extra multiple-choice questions right was enough to break through.
...
One month later.
August 7.
The head coach walked into the tactical meeting room with the starting lineup in hand.
The youth league would resume tomorrow, and Liverpool's next opponent was Manchester City.
After changing ownership, Manchester City placed great emphasis on youth development, building a more advanced academy. They went on to focus on nurturing several extremely talented youngsters, once sweeping through the youth league. Many of their young players had become highly regarded.
At this moment, Leo Lin sat in the very center of the front row, teammates gathered around him.
After a month, his physique had clearly changed.
A month of intense training had carved out sharp muscle definition, adding a stronger sense of masculinity to Leo Lin's already handsome appearance.
"We're playing City tomorrow. Do you think we can win?" Ocho whispered nervously beside him.
"What's there to be afraid of? Just go for it," Leo Lin said casually.
After all, over the past month, his attributes had improved across the board.
Forget Manchester City—no youth academy team posed any real threat to him now.
In his mind, a brand-new attribute panel gleamed as multiple stats increased.
Name: Leo Lin
Age: 18
Height: 1.83 m
Weight: 76.3 kg
Penalty Area Shooting: 70
Long-Range Shooting: 77
Attacking Positioning: 71
Short Pass: 70
Vision: 72
Heading: 69
Stamina: 76
Explosiveness: 75
Speed: 75
Interception: 66
Tackling: 65
Defensive Positioning: 68
Dribbling: 70
Strength: 90
Crossing: 69
Curve: 69
Long Pass: 70
Leo Lin could clearly feel that training raised his attributes, especially those with lower base values.
But as training went on, the rate of improvement gradually slowed.
As for Strength, which had already reached 90, further increases were especially difficult. Occasionally seeing it budge even a little felt like proof that his effort hadn't been wasted.
However, through further research into the system, Leo Lin discovered something else.
The experience gained from playing actual matches was greater than what training provided.
That meant once he could compete in the Premier League, the better he performed, the faster his attributes would grow—forming a positive feedback loop!
The head coach turned on the projector, displaying Manchester City's key youth players.
"First up, Phil Foden."
"An absolute genius."
The head coach played footage from Foden's youth matches.
"Excellent close control. He's already basically squeezed into the first team."
"There aren't many young players who earn Guardiola's trust like this."
On screen, Foden glided past defenders, often beating three men at once and pulling off dazzling solo runs.
Leo Lin watched closely. Beside him, Ocho inexplicably started bouncing his leg.
"Stop shaking," Leo Lin said, pressing down on Ocho's leg.
"What are you scared of? He can't get past you."
Ocho gave him a look that clearly said, Do you think I believe that?
"One-on-one, last season in the entire youth league, nobody could stop him."
Leo Lin smiled. "That's because I wasn't here last season."
Onstage, the head coach continued.
"Second, Brahim Diaz."
"An attacking midfielder with very strong off-the-ball movement."
"Third, Palmer."
"His height limits his ceiling, but his ball control is solid. He's a key player on the wing."
"Fourth, Taylor Harwood."
"Center back. Excellent frontal interceptions, with the ability to turn and chase back."
Four players in total demanded special attention, fully demonstrating the strength of Manchester City's youth academy.
A hard-fought battle was inevitable.
...
August 18, Youth League Round One.
Manchester City vs. Liverpool!
There were no locker rooms. Both teams made simple preparations by the sidelines.
Several hundred fans gathered around the pitch, mostly loyal local Liverpool supporters.
Youth league matches didn't attract much attention—usually only locals with time to spare would come watch in the afternoon.
It was Sunday, and the weather was unusually cool, so the crowd around the field kept growing.
Almost all of them were Liverpool fans, shouting loudly to cheer on their young players.
Gradually, Leo Lin—who was changing his boots—caught the fans' attention.
"Is that Lin, the one who transferred back from Leicester City?"
"Looks like him. I heard he fell out with Leicester over playing time. His style is pretty tough."
"In that case, he's got some fire. I like him!"
As the fans chatted excitedly, both teams walked onto the pitch. Leo Lin followed at the back of the line.
Standing to his right was Phil Foden, the so-called top-tier prodigy.
Leo Lin couldn't help but size him up.
Skinny and small—he looked like someone who could be crushed with one hand.
The unnamed referee waved to confirm both sides were ready, then blew the whistle.
Manchester City kicked off.
Phil Foden got the ball and drove forward without hesitation.
No Liverpool fan was unfamiliar with Foden—no, no England fan was unfamiliar with him.
"Last season's dribbling king, with a 100% success rate."
"Guardiola even called him up to the first team early and gave him minutes. He's definitely a future star."
"So jealous. If only he were one of our Liverpool youth players."
As the Liverpool fans talked, Foden had already dribbled straight up to Leo Lin.
Facing him, Leo Lin stayed calm.
His eyes weren't on the ball, but fixed on Foden's feet.
Foden dipped his shoulder, feinting left.
A fake step—then he dragged the ball and cut inside!
Explosiveness!
It was his go-to move, one that had never failed him.
After instinctively bursting and changing direction, Foden even lifted his head to look for teammates making runs.
He was certain he'd already broken through.
But when he looked up, all he saw was a broad back—like an iron bull standing in front of him.
Then a surging force slammed into his chest!
"Bang!!!"
His body flew backward.
He hit the ground hard.
Ocho's eyes went wide, his mouth hanging open as he sucked in a sharp breath.
"You've got to be kidding me…"
"He just—"
"He just knocked him over???"