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Chapter 87 - Chapter 87: Chelsea’s Terrifying Counterattack!

Every major livestream was buzzing about Liverpool's recent passing-and-movement sequence, as well as the sudden switch to their rotation-based attacking pattern.

"Klopp is that kind of manager—you can't expect him to rely on one system forever."

"He adapts his tactics to different opponents, keeping his team constantly energized."

Gary Neville said this after studying Klopp closely.

As a Manchester United legend, rival managers were always under scrutiny. On the other side of the studio, Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola looked less than comfortable.

"Chelsea haven't produced the effect they were hoping for so far."

"Conte's trademark quick counterattacks haven't shown up yet."

"After kickoff, Chelsea clearly had the edge, but they've been too cautious, unwilling to fully commit even at home."

"If you don't believe in yourselves, you simply can't compete with a team like Liverpool. That's exactly why Liverpool are top of the Premier League."

Manager Conte stormed to the touchline, his face twisted with anger.

He felt the same frustration as Zola. He couldn't understand what his players were so nervous about.

"If you keep playing with this mindset, you'll end up hanging your heads and losing to Liverpool right here at home!"

"Lift your heads! All of you—get your damn heads up!"

"Look around! Look at how many Chelsea fans you're making miserable!"

"This is Stamford Bridge! This is our home!"

"Push up! Attack! Show some presence!!!"

Conte's words landed like a hammer blow, jolting the Chelsea players awake. When play resumed, they immediately began to raise the tempo.

The roar at Stamford Bridge surged wave after wave. Leo Lin hadn't expected his goal to sap Chelsea's morale—if anything, it had ignited their fighting spirit.

Chelsea deliberately dropped their shape and handed possession to Liverpool.

On the surface it looked defensive, but the moment Liverpool carried the ball past midfield, Chelsea's pressing turned fiercely aggressive.

Whenever the midfield pressed, the front line surged forward in sync.

Conte's signature wing-based passing-and-movement approach began to take shape.

The tempo kept climbing. Liverpool still had the ball, but Leo Lin could sense things slipping out of control.

He repeatedly pressed his hands downward, signaling his teammates to slow it down.

Possession was still Liverpool's—but control of the pace had quietly shifted to Chelsea.

35th minute!

"Liverpool push forward in possession, looking for central penetration."

"A through pass—Kanté intercepts!"

"A lofted ball over the top finds Hazard!"

"Hazard cushions it with his chest, drags it back, turns—Morata is there to support!"

Emre Can sprinted back desperately, but Hazard played a quick short pass. Morata met it first time and laid it off—a perfect wall pass between the two!

Hazard followed through and lifted a shot!

A dipping effort at half height that left Mignolet rooted to the spot!

The ball flew straight into the left side of the net!

Stamford Bridge exploded!

Zola shouted in excitement.

"GOAL!!! Hazard!"

"Chelsea's deadliest attacking weapon!"

"Just four minutes later, Chelsea have equalized!"

"Morata played the target-man role perfectly—this was a flawless move from Chelsea!"

What Leo Lin feared most had come true. The tempo was no longer under their control.

The rhythm of the match followed Chelsea—and naturally, so did the goals.

Klopp stood on the touchline applauding furiously, signaling everyone to stay calm and steady.

But once play restarted, Conte's rapid counterattacking football unleashed its full power, and Chelsea were completely in the zone.

With momentum, home advantage, and belief all on their side, Chelsea finally found the performance they wanted at Stamford Bridge.

39th minute!

"Chelsea build from the flank, deliberately bypassing Liverpool's midfield. Hazard pulls wide to receive."

"No longer staying only in the attacking midfield zone, Hazard keeps drifting to both wings."

"His off-the-ball movement is brilliant, disrupting Liverpool's defensive positioning."

"One-on-one—drops the shoulder and cuts inside!"

"He's past Robertson!"

"A reverse through ball!"

"Beautiful—so much penetration!"

"Marcos Alonso gets down to the byline!"

"A high cross to the far post!"

"Perfect delivery—Morata rises!"

"Header!!!"

"It's in again!!!"

"Chelsea score twice in four minutes and take the lead—2–1!"

"Liverpool are stunned!"

"Ever since Leo Lin scored, Chelsea look like they've had their meridians unlocked!"

"Morata with the header—Chelsea lead 2–1!"

Across the livestream chats:

"This is the true strength of the Iron Blues! Chelsea will never be slaves!"

"This is Stamford Bridge—no one climbs over our shoulders here!"

"Chelsea are f***ing insane!!!!"

Chelsea fans were ecstatic. Liverpool fans were crushed.

A thunderous roar shook Stamford Bridge—Leo Lin could even feel the stadium vibrating beneath his feet.

Even Klopp found the situation tricky. Conceding two goals in such a short span to fall behind was bound to hit the team's morale.

Leo Lin clapped hard in the middle of the pitch, trying to lift his teammates.

But once play resumed, Liverpool were completely pinned down by Chelsea.

"This is easily the most miserable first half I've seen from Liverpool all season."

"They must be praying for the remaining minutes to pass quickly. Conte's rapid counterattacks have them in chaos."

"Both fullbacks are constantly pushing up, combining with the wingers and the wide-drifting Hazard to create three-on-two advantages on the flanks, giving Chelsea endless crossing chances."

"An absolutely extreme counterattacking display!"

Jim Beglin's concerns soon turned into reality.

44th minute!

Just when everyone thought the half would end…

"Hazard has the ball at the top of the box, cutting inside!"

"He beats Henderson!"

"Foul! Henderson pulls him back from behind—yellow card!"

"Chelsea win a free kick in a very dangerous position."

Hazard stood over the ball. Leo Lin joined the wall—this was the tallest wall Liverpool could put together.

"Hazard takes his run-up."

"He strikes!!!"

Leo Lin leapt high. The free kick skimmed over Lovren's head, then dipped sharply!

"Whoosh!!!"

Zola grabbed his head in disbelief.

"Oh!!!!"

"It's in again!!!!"

"Hazard!"

"Who can still say Lin is the best young player in the Premier League?!"

"As long as young Hazard is around, no one else gets that title!"

"Chelsea score three goals in fifteen minutes—an astonishing comeback!"

"The score is now 3–1!!!" 

... 

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