"Allez Allez Allez!!!" "Allez Allez Allez!!!" "Allez Allez Allez!!!"
Listening to the piercing cheers, Neville's expression turned somewhat dazed.
He had thought Manchester United could equalize, but who would have expected Liverpool to score another goal.
Manchester United players shared the same sentiment.
De Gea angrily kicked the goalpost, not because he blamed his teammates for underperforming, but because he felt he had a chance to save the shot.
Yet, those last few centimeters felt like an insurmountable chasm.
Pogba's face was filled with self-reproach.
He hadn't intended to show off; he genuinely wanted to do something for the team, to break the deadlock on the pitch. But the outcome was brutally harsh.
After snapping back to reality, Neville didn't hesitate to criticize. (as usual)
"Last season, Pogba lost possession a staggering 602 times, the most of any Manchester United player, even in the entire Premier League!"
"In our day, if you had more than two ineffective touches, Captain Keane would roar at you like a madman. Once, during a match against Coventry, I took a moment to adjust my balance before crossing, and Keane tore into me like a snarling bulldog. I really thought he was going to hit me! I believe Ling, as captain, should step up and take responsibility!"
In fact, Ling was already doing just that.
He didn't mind Pogba attempting risky passes; losing possession in such situations wasn't too dangerous.
Because Liverpool would still have to break through three or four defensive lines, making it difficult for them to mount an effective counterattack.
But Pogba's position was simply too crucial.
"Fabinho is used to pressing tightly. He won't give you much time to receive the ball, turn, or take one touch, two touches…"
"So you have to be more decisive and release the ball quickly."
"I believe you can threaten the opponent's defense, and we'll all make runs up front to support you."
Ling didn't say anything harsh.
He simply analyzed Pogba's mistake and told him what he should do instead.
After all, given Pogba's temperament, being too forceful would only provoke resistance.
Back then, Keane had yelled at Neville: 'Just fucking pass the ball!'
That approach wasn't the right one.
Pogba was aware of his mistake.
He was an emotional player—on his day, he performed like a world-class midfielder; on an off day, his displays were disastrous.
"Ling, I'll be more careful next time," Pogba muttered.
"Mm." Ling nodded, then turned to his teammates and said loudly, "Last season, we were also behind Liverpool, but we still caught up and overtook them in the end. Don't carry too much psychological burden. Even if we lose this match, it's not like we won't have another chance!"
"Everyone, stay calm and keep pushing harder!"
In football, falling behind, making mistakes, and facing unexpected situations are normal.
What matters is whether one can maintain the right mindset.
Ling had experienced darker moments. Of course, those were also of his own making.
But precisely because of that, he would not repeat the same mistakes and would never give up on any match.
This was his responsibility to himself.
However, his words could not inspire his teammates—not everyone had the same experiences.
Having conceded three goals to Liverpool at their own home ground, a heavy sense of frustration spread among the Manchester United players.
They felt instantly drained.
...
"The match is over!"
"Manchester United 1:3 Liverpool. No one could have predicted what happened today at Old Trafford."
"Liverpool emerged victorious in the end. Mane, Salah, and Wijnaldum were the protagonists today, washing away past failures with three brilliant goals!"
"But compared to Liverpool's outstanding attack, I'd rather talk about their defensive performance."
"The whole world knows how strong Manchester United's No. 7 is. He always seizes opportunities where none seem to exist, creating miracles on the green pitch. But today, he couldn't do it!"
"Because Liverpool's defense was resolute. Every player approached with a determined attitude, covering every corner of the field with physical challenges, forcefully disrupting Manchester United's attacking rhythm."
Carragher grew more excited as he spoke.
In recent matches between Manchester United and Liverpool, Liverpool had always been on the losing side.
As a Liverpool legend, he naturally felt uncomfortable about it.
Today, they finally defeated Manchester United and returned the humiliation.
At this moment, he couldn't hide the excitement in his heart.
Picking up the microphone, he shouted, "As I said before, since the Champions League adopted the two-legged format and introduced the away goals rule, there have been 178 teams that won the first leg 3-1."
"But only two teams have managed to overturn such a deficit in the second leg, and they did it three times in total. Those two teams are Barcelona and Chelsea, with a success rate of just 1.69%."
As he spoke, Carragher looked at Neville's grim face and continued in a mocking tone, "And it's worth noting that all three of those successful comebacks had one common prerequisite—they lost the first leg away and overturned the deficit at home in the second leg!"
"Therefore, to this day, there has never been a precedent where a team lost the first leg 1-3 at home and then overturned the deficit away in the second leg."
"I know Manchester United has created many miracles, but I want to ask Gary, do you think Manchester United can do it at Anfield?"
As Carragher's voice faded, the commentary booth fell into silence.
Neville opened his mouth and closed it again.
He had much to say, but the words seemed stuck on the tip of his tongue. His behavior inadvertently revealed his thoughts.
After a long while, Neville looked toward the south stand, where the statue of Sir Matt Busby stood. For some reason, he found his confidence again.
That experience was like an undying spark in the darkness, reminding him that the Red Devils' lads would never give up willingly.
Neville, once a Manchester United player and now a Manchester United fan.
He believed that pure perseverance must flow in the blood of the Red Devils.
Just as the Manchester United anthem sings:
As the reds go marching on on on! The Red Devils march forward!
Neville took a deep breath and said firmly, "Sir Alex Ferguson told us long ago that it's best not to jump to conclusions before the match is over."
"After the Munich Air Disaster, no one believed we could rise again."
"In the 1999 Champions League final, no one believed we could stage a comeback."
"There are many records in the world that have never been broken, but that doesn't mean they can't happen. Even if there's no precedent in football for overturning a 1-3 home deficit in the second leg at the opponent's ground..."
"Maybe we'll be the ones to create it."
Neville didn't say anything about certain victory; he was merely stating the possibility.
Total Soccer once described Neville this way: 'You're like someone who has never been disappointed or injured, still believing you can fly as high as the sky. If I had to choose one name to define the number 2, my answer would without a doubt be: Gary Neville.'
Even though he became outspoken after retirement, the character ingrained in his bones never changed.
He believed the current Manchester United was worthy of trust.
No team in the world can keep winning forever; failure is unavoidable.
But how one faces failure separates people into different kinds.
Neville ignored Carragher any further, turning his gaze to the Manchester United players on the pitch and said.
"I hope the lads can learn from this defeat and show the spirit of the Red Devils at Anfield next week. Regardless of the final outcome, as long as they give their all, there will be no regrets."
Carragher didn't mock them again either. Respecting the opponent is also respecting oneself.
By respecting Manchester United's never-say-die spirit, he was honoring Liverpool's 'You'll Never Walk Alone' spirit.
...
On the green pitch at this moment.
Liverpool players were savoring the fruits of victory, while Manchester United players stood, sat, or lay dejectedly.
Perhaps only with the desolate company of the defeated do the victors taste the flavor of happiness.
Liverpool fans felt that keenly.
And Ling stood near the center circle.
Just moments ago, he was ready to receive the ball for a counterattack when the final whistle blew.
It was impossible not to feel disappointed.
In the competitive sport of football, everyone loves victory and detests defeat.
Ling was no exception.
He didn't blame his teammates either.
In the last twenty minutes of the match, they had played well enough. But some things can't be achieved through effort alone.
The Liverpool players executed better, using a dense and resolute defense to withstand Manchester United's attacks.
Liverpool wasn't Manchester City either; Aerial Bombardment wasn't very effective against them.
Eventually, time simply ran out.
For footballers, each match is like a day—after it ends, some are happy, others sad.
But whether you're sad or happy, tomorrow will still arrive on time.
So Ling walked over to his teammates, pulling them up one by one.
"First, thank the fans. We still have a lot to do—stretching, reviewing the match, training... We have another league game the day after tomorrow."
Ashley Young brushed the grass off his backside, looking at the despondent expressions on his teammates' faces.
It made him furious!
A single defeat had reduced them to this state.
What if they faced even greater setbacks in the future?
Would they just announce their retirement?
A top professional player must have strong mental resilience!
"Stop looking so defeated! It's only the first leg we lost. We just need to find a way to win the away leg!"
"And besides, I've lost to Liverpool so many times before, but I never saw anyone acting as if their world had ended like you lot."
Young gave McTominay's head a firm pat.
He wasn't without shame, but felt that as a man, he should face the outcome bravely.
What use was there in feeling sad inside?
Could it change the match result? Of course not.
That's why he should look forward.
These were simple truths, but many of Manchester United's young players hadn't yet grasped them.
"Learn more from Ling. His achievements today come from outstanding ability, but mindset is also a factor."
Ashley Young went on, even praising Ling.
Hearing this, Ling felt somewhat powerless to retort.
He had played less than two full seasons—hardly enough to be called "achievements today."
But to go along with Ashley Young, he nodded in agreement.
"Perhaps no one in the world believes we can equalize away, but if even we don't believe it ourselves, then there is no hope left."
With that, he led his teammates to thank the Manchester United fans.
...
Meanwhile, on the other side of the pitch.
Arnold couldn't hide his excitement, high-fiving teammates and muttering, "Before the match, I thought a draw against Manchester United would be good enough. Who knew we'd win 3-1—three away goals!"
What did three away goals mean?
If Manchester United wanted to overturn the result in the second leg, they'd need to score at least three goals.
And Liverpool, holding the advantage, could play defensively and counterattack, using Manchester United's own strengths to finish them off—just thinking about it felt exhilarating!
"If Manchester City also makes it to the Champions League final, we'll know how to play against them too. Just learn from Manchester United's high press up front."
"And we execute that tactic even better than Manchester United."
Wijnaldum couldn't help but dream about the future.
Since the Miracle of Istanbul in 2005, Liverpool hadn't come close to winning the Champions League.
Now, they finally saw hope of lifting the Big Ears Cup again.
Mane looked at Salah. "If Manchester United loses in the league too, do you think we could go for a double? The Ballon d'Or..."
Last season, Salah ranked 8th in the Ballon d'Or.
With no World Cup or European Championship this year, it would largely depend on club performances.
But Salah shook his head. "We've only won one match. We shouldn't get ahead of ourselves. Focusing on winning the remaining games is what we need to think about."
"Exactly," Van Dijk chimed in.
Both of them remained level-headed, knowing it was unwise to celebrate prematurely.
Liverpool's victory was primarily due to tactical adjustments, with their performance being the secondary factor.
But if they underestimated Manchester United, the latter might just pull off an Anfield miracle.
After all, as one of Manchester United's most familiar opponents, Van Dijk knew they had the capability.
"With only a month left in the season, I hope everyone stays focused until the final minute. Don't underestimate any opponent," Henderson stepped forward.
"In the Champions League match in Istanbul, didn't Milan underestimate us, only for us to equalize again and again?"
"With such a bloody precedent, we can't make the same mistake."
After Henderson finished speaking, the Liverpool players reined in their excitement and calmed themselves down.
They knew Henderson was right.
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