"I don't want to describe this Ajax side as a youth storm, but they really are young, they really are fearless, and their performances on the pitch really are ferocious."
Gullit took it upon himself to introduce his young compatriots.
"The first one I have to mention is the goalkeeper, Onana. I think he's been the best goalkeeper in the Champions League so far. He can play out with his feet, and his shot-stopping is excellent. In the future, he has a chance to compete for the title of the best goalkeeper in the world."
Gullit sounded certain. He believed he was not wrong about him.
"Center back De Ligt also deserves special mention. He's good in the air and quite well-rounded."
"Then there's the midfield, De Jong and Van de Beek. Especially De Jong. His ability to carry the ball forward from midfield is very strong. Add Van de Beek's excellent attacking ability, the versatile Tadić up front, and Ziyech on the wing."
"My favorite is Ziyech. He has personality, he's expressive, but not arrogantly so."
"His left foot has a bit of his Dutch predecessor Robben about it, though their playing styles are completely different."
"I think Ajax have a real chance to keep going. They have hope of beating Liverpool and reaching the Champions League semifinals!"
Jokes aside, Ashley Cole was actually quite optimistic about Ajax too.
Scholes admired De Jong, and several clubs had already sent him offers, Barcelona among them.
Klopp would never underestimate Ajax. Zubizarreta and Krawietz repeatedly studied footage of Ajax's previous matches to work on the defensive tactics, while Klopp designed the detailed tactical plan for the team on the pitch.
February 11, Leo Lin Training Ground.
"Ajax attack very quickly, and it isn't just counterattacking. They can also play settled possession."
"If De Jong has space, he'll carry the ball forward, so we have to focus on limiting the space in front of him. At the same time, don't let Van de Beek and Ziyech find opportunities. Those two like combining on the right, and their qualities complement each other well. Ziyech especially likes curling passes and shots. He loves bending the ball."
"So, Robertson, while you're holding off Neres, you also need to keep Ziyech on the far side in your peripheral vision. Don't let his passes cut in behind you."
Robertson had a heavy task in this match. Klopp continued.
"De Jong likes driving forward from midfield. Once De Jong moves out, Rodri steps up to intercept. If you win it cleanly, give it to Lin. If you can't win it, at least stop him from pushing forward. De Jong really likes those turn-and-drive moves, so don't be fooled by him."
"Once De Jong leaves, Schöne will be the only one left in front of their back line. Firmino, don't drop deep. In this match, I want you staying on Blind the whole time, looking for headers and chances to attack the ball."
"Leo Lin, if you get one-on-one with Schöne, take him on. If there's no good chance, play it wide and let Mané and Salah attack the space, especially down Veltman's side."
"We can win. Don't care about all the noise outside hyping up Ajax. They used to hype us up like that too, so there's no need to worry about the opponent. We only need to make sure we play our own game."
Klopp was actually quite happy to see the outside world praising Ajax. Many fans believed Ajax might create another historic miracle in football, just like Porto had when they won the Champions League years ago.
Klopp told all the players to block out every voice from the outside and focus only on training.
February 12, the press conference before the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal.
"Fans are calling this Ajax team a squad of geniuses. They say they are genius warriors created by God, that they will defeat every opponent, including Liverpool. Klopp, do you have any response to that?"
"More and more people are starting to compare Lin with De Jong and Van de Beek. They say Lin is a genius, but De Jong is one too, and De Jong has the hope of surpassing Lin to become the most outstanding talent in football today!"
After hearing the reporter's question, Klopp deliberately looked surprised and said, "Ajax do indeed have many geniuses, but I don't agree with what you just said, because Lin is not a genius."
As soon as Klopp finished speaking, the reporters at the scene burst into commotion. Some had already begun preparing their reports around that sentence.
Others had even started writing headlines in the notebooks they carried with them.
[Shocking! Famous Manager Klopp Publicly Declares His Young Star Unworthy of Being Called a Genius!]
[Could Turmoil Be Brewing Inside Liverpool? Manager and Star Player Rumored to Be at Odds!]
[Will This Be the Turning Point Where Liverpool's Winning Streak Ends and a Losing Streak Begins? Could Lin Be Benched by Klopp?]
Just as everyone's inspiration was flowing and their pens were flying, Klopp spoke again.
"Lin is not a genius. Lin is different from them."
"Lin is a superstar."
The reporters, who had been writing furiously, suddenly froze when they heard that.
"Snap!"
A pen broke.