Chapter 378: The Curved Moon Blade
Manchester United had a free-kick. Bruno executed a beautiful curling shot that Liverpool goalkeeper Karius had no chance of saving.
"GOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLL!!"
"Bruno Fernandes! It's 2-0, Manchester United lead Liverpool by two goals."
"What a beautiful curve! Bruno scores directly from the free-kick."
The director interestingly cut to a shot of David Beckham in the stands, who had come to Anfield with his wife to watch the match. The world knows Beckham for his famous "curved moon blade" free-kicks.
Beckham stood up, clapping with a smile on his face. His wife, wearing large sunglasses that covered half her face, also applauded.
"Well done, David, you should wave and give a thumbs up," Victoria whispered in his ear.
Beckham waved and gave a thumbs up. He genuinely applauded the goal, though his wife seemed more interested in the camera's attention. Beckham knew how to present himself publicly, and Victoria enjoyed the feeling of "controlling" her husband. Beckham was aware of this dynamic and didn't mind.
They were indeed a celebrity couple.
Manchester United did not hold back after scoring two goals.
While Mourinho is known for his defensive tactics, it doesn't mean his teams lack offensive power or that he would shy away from attacking when the opportunity arises.
Who doesn't like to kick a fallen dog? Especially when the opponent is Liverpool, Manchester United's arch-rival, and the match is at Anfield.
There's nothing more pleasing to the home fans than crushing their rival on their home turf.
Mourinho, eager to win over United fans worldwide, wanted his team to put on a good show in such a crucial match, especially with the game going so well. Thus, Manchester United continued to launch fierce attacks on Liverpool's goal after their two-goal lead.
The once-mighty Liverpool, now facing relentless pressure from United, could only retreat and defend desperately.
Three minutes after Bruno's direct free-kick, United pressed on. Bruno passed to Ibrahimovic, who held the ball with his back to goal at the edge of the box. Defending him, Liverpool's Matip suddenly slipped, allowing Ibrahimovic to turn quickly and drive into the box. He dodged Lovren, who rushed to tackle him, and shot low from 14 meters out. Karius managed to make a tough save.
In the 35th minute, Bruno sent a long pass from the back. Ibrahimovic headed the ball down to Rashford. Liverpool's defenders raised their hands, claiming offside, but the linesman didn't flag, and the referee didn't whistle. Rashford had timed his run perfectly, breaking through to face Karius one-on-one. His shot from 12 meters out was saved by the rushing Karius.
Rashford, missing the golden chance, covered his face in frustration.
Seeing their team being dominated, Liverpool fans' hatred for Manchester United only intensified. They sang derogatory songs and hurled personal insults at key United players, with Bruno receiving the brunt of it. In response, Bruno fired a long-range shot that Karius struggled to handle. If not for Lovren's quick reaction to clear the ball, Ibrahimovic might have scored his second goal.
By halftime, Liverpool had not managed any significant attacks. United's relentless pressure had them dazed, and some players looked confused as they left the pitch. They hadn't expected to be two goals down at halftime, and the score could have been worse if not for United's missed opportunities.
United players, on the other hand, were jubilant. Leading by two goals at Anfield was beyond their expectations. Amid the noise from the fans, both teams quickly retreated to their dressing rooms for the break.
Liverpool had 15 minutes to regroup and plan a comeback. Could they turn the game around in the second half?
Liverpool launched a fierce offensive at the start of the second half, taking advantage of their kick-off. Henderson passed the ball to the left wing, where Mane received it and fed it to the overlapping Sturridge. The English forward drove into the box, but under pressure from Smalling, his shot went high.
Although they didn't score, this attack excited the Liverpool fans, who cheered loudly to encourage their team. Despite being two goals down, the fans believed they could at least equalize and maybe even win.
The tempo of the game was fast, and time was slipping away. As the match approached the 70th minute, Bruno noticed Liverpool players growing increasingly impatient.
United's goalkeeper De Gea launched a long ball, and Bruno challenged Coutinho in the middle. At 1.72 meters, the Brazilian was much shorter than Bruno and naturally lost the aerial duel. Coutinho, known for his technical skills and precise passing, was not suited for such contests, but he had no choice as the ball came his way. Not contesting it could have displeased Klopp, potentially costing him his starting place in the next game.
Bruno won the header, directing it to Fellaini. As he landed and turned away from Coutinho, Liverpool's Henderson and Can pressed him from both sides. Bruno was not surprised by this double-team effort, though he had expected it from the start of the match.
With Henderson and Can closing in, Bruno still raised his hand to call for the ball. Ashley Young, holding the ball, noticed Bruno's signal and the approaching Liverpool players. Hesitating briefly, he passed the ball to Bruno, trusting his ability to handle the pressure.
Positioned slightly to the right, Bruno received the ball with Henderson and Can blocking his path. Can guarded the center, preventing Bruno from moving inward, while Henderson covered the right side, ready to block any attempt to pass to Ashley Young, who was making a forward run.
Bruno, facing Can and shielding the ball from Henderson, let the ball pass between his legs. Pretending to move forward, he tricked Can into shifting his weight. Then, with a deft backheel, he nudged the ball through the gap between Can and Henderson, catching both off guard.
(End of Chapter)
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