Heading can be addictive, and Leo Lin was one of the players who had caught the habit.
Ever since he mastered his heading skill, Leo Lin had been tormenting Mignolet and Alisson again and again in training. What made those two happiest was that matches were finally starting again.
In round 21 of the Premier League, Liverpool faced Arsenal. Klopp had seen Leo Lin's new ability, and he immediately began adjusting his current tactics.
Klopp wanted to find a tactical approach that could make better use of Leo Lin's heading and continue improving Liverpool's attacking patterns.
Klopp was always like this. He never limited himself to one achievement, and he was never satisfied with the status quo. He would always adjust his tactics according to the changes in the team.
Alisson's arrival made Liverpool's back line even stronger. Compared with Mignolet, Alisson was better both at making saves and playing the ball out.
Clearly, Mignolet would now have to accept life as a backup.
Liverpool FC first posted a message showing respect to Mignolet, then officially welcomed Alisson to the club.
Alisson's debut arrived very quickly. On January 21, in round 21 of the Premier League, Liverpool hosted Arsenal at Anfield.
Earlier in the league season, Liverpool had gone to the Emirates Stadium with a rotated lineup because of injuries. After holding on for almost 90 minutes, they were eventually beaten by Arsenal's late winner.
That defeat was still stuck in the minds of Liverpool fans. They could not forget it.
On January 21, Liverpool returned with a fresh lineup in peak condition, and they would not give Arsenal any hope.
At 3 p.m. Local time., in a rare early kickoff, English fans sat under the sun at Anfield, waiting eagerly for the match to begin.
In the official broadcast booth, Scholes, Ashley Cole, and Gullit appeared together.
Gullit had accepted the Premier League's invitation and officially joined this season's broadcast lineup as a regular commentator.
"Arsenal have a strong squad. Last time, when Liverpool were dealing with injuries, Arsenal handed them a defeat. That dramatic late winner is still hard for me to forget."
"So this match is Liverpool's revenge battle!"
"Arsenal's goalkeeper is Leno. Their defenders are Kolasinac, Mustafi, Papastathopoulos, and Lichtsteiner."
"Midfield: Xhaka, Torreira, Niles."
"Attack: Iwobi, Aubameyang, Ramsey."
"Liverpool haven't made too many changes to their lineup. In midfield, Fabinho partners Rodri to provide protection for Leo Lin, while Lovren starts in place of Matip."
"Alisson starts in goal. Right winger Salah is being rested, so Shaqiri starts."
"Arsenal bought Papastathopoulos and quickly made him their starting center back. His performances have been fairly good. Although he's slow, he's physically strong enough."
Henderson and Matip were not starting, and Mignolet was also on the bench. As the fourth captain, Leo Lin once again led the team out as captain.
At that moment, he was holding the Liverpool crest in the tunnel and greeting Aubameyang beside him.
Aubameyang, who had arrived from Dortmund, had become Arsenal's main striker and had a very strong attacking ability.
In particular, his instant acceleration followed directly by a shot had often become Arsenal's way of scoring in the final third.
A few minutes later, the match officially began. Arsenal were still playing in the same familiar way. They had not changed their tactics, even though they had changed head coach.
"The thing that surprised me most about Arsenal this season is that they changed their head coach. Professor Wenger, who led the team through countless difficult moments, was still dismissed by the board."
"To be honest, I hoped they would give Professor Wenger more time, but the pressure in modern football is too great."
"The pressure the fans put on the club, the star players' desire for Champions League qualification, and certain senior figures believing the team had to change quickly for longer-term development."
"All of those factors eventually affected Professor Wenger's position, but he remains one of the most respected managers in Premier League history. The honors he achieved were truly great."
After Professor Wenger left, Emery took over, and he also wanted to play attractive football the way Professor Wenger had.
But once the match began, Liverpool's destructive attack quickly caused Arsenal's control to collapse.
Although they worked hard to keep possession, Liverpool's pressing and interceptions forced Arsenal's players into constant mistakes. And in this match, Liverpool's tactics were extremely simple, different once again from what they had used before.
Liverpool's two fullbacks were no longer taking turns, with one attacking and the other defending. Instead, both flanks attacked at the same time.
Robertson and Arnold began making full use of their excellent attacking ability to create chances for the team.
Leo Lin's role was also completely different from recent matches. Klopp was basically using him as a striker.
Whenever Liverpool attacked, the ball would always move forward through the wings, while the middle was responsible only for protection. As for Leo Lin, positioned at the front of midfield, he had no passing or distribution duties at all. He only needed to wait in the penalty area for chances to head the ball at goal.
Klopp wanted to smash Arsenal's goal open in the simplest, most direct way possible.
One word.
Smash.
In the 20th minute!
"Liverpool's attacking style makes me want to laugh. It's too simple!"
"Arsenal are like elegant swordsmen, trying to fight in the most conventional and proper way. Every move has form and has clearly been carefully arranged."
"But the opponent they're facing looks like he doesn't know martial arts, when in reality he can beat a master to death with wild punches."
"Liverpool win the ball through pressing, then move it out wide. Once the wide player gets it, he crosses straight into the box. It's that simple."
"They're showing their attacking pattern openly. They're not hiding it, not disguising it, and not keeping anything in reserve. But can Arsenal stop it?"
"Arnold crosses again from the right. The delivery is good!"
"Papastathopoulos gets to the first point. That's his second successful headed clearance of the match!"
After the ball was cleared, Fabinho won it back, barged Ramsey aside, and passed to the left again. Robertson followed up and crossed once more.
This cross was even more accurate.
Even better.
Firmino was held off by Papastathopoulos, but Leo Lin was right beside him.
The Gullit skill burst with orange-gold light again.
"Bang!"
"Leo Lin with a powerful header!"
"He smashes it in!"
"A hammer blow!"
"Pure power!"
"That header from Leo Lin!"
"So fierce!!!"
"Liverpool have taken a 1-0 lead already!"
Leo Lin's thunderous header left all the Arsenal fans frozen in place.
Klopp opened his arms to embrace Leo Lin as he ran toward him, then planted a firm kiss on his head.
But this was only the beginning.
Klopp's powerful aerial hammer tactic had only just begun.