Who made him play as a winger/attacking midfielder?

Chapter 6: A World-Class Free Kick! Kirkby's Lucky Star!

Manchester City U18 went from leading to falling behind, and the players experienced a significant emotional rollercoaster.

They played aggressively after winning the kickoff.

Through necessary detours, quickly pass the ball to Sancho on the right flank.

In this U18 team, Sancho is actually the core player.

The Liverpool U18 players, brimming with morale, were highly motivated and focused.

They didn't give us any chance to make explosive plays or pass threatening balls.

Chang Huan, who was highly motivated in defense, retreated to the edge of the penalty area.

Manchester City U18's attack was thwarted, forcing them to pass the ball back to maintain possession.

Brewster and Rafael Camacho immediately called on their teammates to push forward.

In a rapid passing sequence, right-back Frimpong made a mistake while passing forward under sustained pressure, allowing Liam Coyle to push past Foden and intercept the ball.

"Give me!"

Chang Huan, who was to the left front, shouted.

Liam Coyle instinctively passed the ball over.

Chang Huan pushed the ball forward with the instep of his left foot, completing a technique of stopping and accelerating.

He took two steps and then suddenly launched a long pass.

The ball was passed to Brewster, who was making a diagonal run down the left flank.

He controlled the ball well while running at high speed and then made an unreasonable cut inside against Joel Latibodier.

The other center-back, Ed Francis, didn't dare to give up any more space and decisively committed a foul on the left side of the penalty arc.

A yellow card ended the home team's counterattack.

"Can I try it?"

Chang Huan ran to the location of the foul and asked Adam Lewis, the player in charge of all free kicks.

"Um?"

Adam Lewis looked over in surprise, thought for a moment, and nodded with a smile: "No problem."

Seeing that the captain agreed, Curtis Jones offered, "I'll cover for you."

Meanwhile.

Klopp had seen the performance of all the U18 players who had played, and there was no need for him to continue watching.

"Oh? You often have to take these free kicks?"

Alex Inglethorpe muttered to himself as he watched Adam Lewis back away.

Klopp, who was about to leave, turned back upon hearing this and asked curiously, "Isn't he a player who takes regular penalties?"

"no."

Alex Inglethorpe shook his head and said, "It could also be a cover for Jones."

As a student who skipped grades in the youth academy, Curtis Jones has that kind of footwork.

"Beep~"

The referee blew his whistle.

Chang Huan stood at about 45 degrees to the right rear of the foul location, looking up at the wall of players and the goalkeeper's position, and began to take steps according to his plan.

Step out with your left foot about half a meter first.

The right foot, which is used in alternating steps, is positioned about 20 centimeters to the right of the soccer ball.

The part of the foot that first touches the ground is not the ball of the foot, but rather the outer part.

This detail allows for quick braking of the inertia generated during the run-up, keeping the lower limbs at the optimal 60-degree angle to the right while the upper body remains at a 90-degree angle to the ground.

Using the explosive power of his adductor muscles, he swung his left foot forward and struck the football placed on the left side of the penalty area's arc.

The ball is touched by the inside of the foot.

A slight knee lift sent the ball soaring into the air at an ideal height, quickly swishing over Sancho's head on the left side of the five-man wall inside the penalty area.

Curtis Anderson, standing slightly to the right of the center of the goal, narrowed his eyes and instinctively took a step to the right as he watched the ball spin past the wall of players.

Using a slight inertia, the body leaps into the air and extends its arms!

His body stretched out gracefully in mid-air, but the spinning football curved at an even greater angle, completely beyond the reach of his fingertips, grazing the inside edge of the right goalpost and disappearing into the top corner of the snow-white net...

"Oh my God!"

"That was an insane goal!"

"He scored again! An unbelievable moment!"

"My son scored!"

……

Liverpool fans around the stadium unleashed their passion.

After scoring the goal, Chang Huan opened his arms, ducked past Brewster and Rafael Camacho who came forward to celebrate, and ran to the right sideline to hug his father Chang Xian and agent Vinnie Grella.

One goal, one play, and one penalty won – Liverpool U18's comeback victory was orchestrated!

With a large number of scouts watching from the sidelines, even if Liverpool doesn't offer a contract extension, other teams will definitely be willing to extend an olive branch!

Players such as Curtis Jones, Brewster, and Adam Lewis flocked to the scene.

Excitedly, he put his arm around her shoulder, patted her back, and ruffled her hair.

Head coach Neil Critchley and interim head coach Gerrard high-fived in celebration.

Klopp's eyes lit up in the youth training director's office.

With Coutinho and Henderson sidelined due to injury for the final league match, Lallana and Milner are left as set-piece options.

Chang Huan, with her distinct characteristics, could certainly become a third option under certain circumstances.

While it's not certain they'll make the final roster for the season's conclusion, they can at least play a role in tactical drills.

It's great to get a feel for the atmosphere of the first team in advance.

"Notification to No. 24: Report to Melwood tomorrow."

Klopp waved his hand and turned around: "I'm leaving."

Alex Inglethorpe stared in disbelief: "Isn't this... a bit too hasty?"

……

Liverpool U18 extended their lead to two goals, leaving Manchester City's youth academy stars such as Sancho, Phil Foden, and Frimpong with their hands on their hips, their frustration evident.

They felt they had played exceptionally well, but ended up trailing by two goals just before the match.

Not reconciled!

The match restarted, with Manchester City U18 attempting to narrow the gap first.

Liverpool's U18 players, playing at home, were highly motivated and gave the away team no chance.

Gerrard also adjusted his tactics in time to consolidate the victory.

Until the three minutes of stoppage time ended, Manchester City U18, led by Sancho and Foden, failed to find an opportunity to narrow the gap.

Ultimately, Liverpool U18 came from behind to defeat Manchester City U18, the runners-up in the championship group, 3-2 at home.

When the game ended, Chang Huan saw a set of subtitles that were only visible to him.

[Match: Final Match of the 2016-2017 Premier League U18 Elite Group A (Championship Group)]

[Appeared as a substitute for 28 minutes, and was named Man of the Match]

【贡献：1球1造点1关键策动；4次尝试突破3次成功；3次威胁球……】

[Assessment: Commendable]

[Rewards: 2 points, Lucky Draw (triggers an extra reward for MVP)]

Chang Huan wanted to find out what the extra reward koi was, and out of the corner of his eye, he noticed his teammates Curtis Jones, Adam Lewis, and others running over excitedly.

He smiled and celebrated the comeback victory with his teammates.

Not long after.

Vinnie-Greira hung up the phone, walked side by side with Chang Xian to greet Chang Huan, and patted him on the shoulder: "Well done."

"Son, drink some water."

Chang Xian handed over the water bottle that had been unscrewed.

"Hehe~ It's so-so."

Chang Huan took the water bottle and gulped it down in one go.

"Just now, Liverpool's sporting director, Michael Edwards, called me. He said that Roma's sporting director, Monchi, wants to bring you to Roma. The youth academy has agreed, but whether the trip will actually happen depends on your opinion."

Vinnie-Greira looked at Chang Huan and Chang Xian respectively, his gaze lingering longer on Chang Xian.

Chang Huan is still a minor, so the opinion of her guardian is the most important factor.

Chang Xian looked at Chang Huan: "Son, according to our way of saying it, 17 years old is 18 years old. I'd like to hear your opinion."

Chang Huan was not surprised, as her father had been deliberately cultivating her independence for three years.

He paused for a moment, then looked up at Vinicius Grella: "Uncle Vinicius, what are the plans for me from the youth academy and Roma respectively?"

"It's not clear yet. If you're open to going to Rome, I'll try to negotiate for your best interests over the next week, and then we'll make a final decision. How about that?"

"no problem."

Vinnie Grella acted swiftly: "Michael Edwards and Monchi happen to be at the youth academy, I'm going to talk to them right now."

"Congratulations on your excellent performance in the final match that just ended."

Liverpool U18 manager Neil Critchley and interim manager Steven Gerrard walked over and patted Chang Huan on the shoulder: "But I regret to inform you that you should not come to Kirkby tomorrow."

Ok?

Chang Huan replicated the "Black guy with a question mark" emoji.

"Hey Neil, look how scared you've made Chang."

Gerrard laughed and said, "Jürgen Klopp wants you to report to Melwood at nine o'clock tomorrow morning for the first team's final pre-match training session."

"what?"

Before Chang Huan could react, Curtis Jones, Liam Coyle, and others nearby clicked their tongues in admiration.

They didn't understand why Klopp would favor Chang Huan, who only had one outstanding performance, when they usually performed better and more consistently.

As expected by the coaching staff, Chang Huan's tactical contribution in the final match was immense.

An atypical winger can greatly enrich the tactical roles of a first team plagued by injuries, and increase the coach's options.