Blue Dream Trail (Soccer) - Episode 45

──Wednesday, October 25, 2028

Champions League Phase 3

*Liverpool vs Augsburg (at Anfield)

The moment I stepped onto the pitch, the pressure seemed to come over me.

This is the fortress that is Anfield.

The pressure is the same as that of 80,000 in Dortmund.

Deafening chants.

Red flags are flying everywhere, and intimidation from the stands.

This is Fortress Anfield.

(If you drink it, it’s over.)

Ren took a slow breath.

“Run with faith.”

We must turn those words into results on the pitch today.

The game begins.

Liverpool launched a wave of attacks from the start.

Powerful vertical breakthroughs on the sides, coordination in the center, and shots from mid-range.

The goalkeeper made two big saves,

In the 21st minute of the first half, the gap was finally broken.

0-1.

Another 30 minutes later, they conceded a goal from a set piece.

0-2.

It felt like a completely foreign place.

Still, Ren raised his voice.

“Show your face! There’s space between the lines!”

The allies were desperately trying to respond.

And then, the time came.

42nd minute of the first half.

Ren recovers the ball on his half and carries it.

Look to the right.

Himmel is running.

(come……!)

Without hesitation, Ren delivers a sharp through pass with the inside of his right foot.

Himmel received the ball without looking back or slowing down.

“Rrrrr!”

The right-footed shot hit the left corner of the goal.

The net is shaking.

1-2. Augsburg is on the offensive.

Anfield is silent.

Ren ran up to Himmel and slapped him on the back.

“I wasn’t even a second late.”

“I think I heard you, Ren-san.”

For just that moment, a “non-red atmosphere” was born in the stadium.

Second half.

Liverpool continued to apply relentless pressure.

Another point. And another point.

The final score was a crushing defeat of 1-5.

However――

After the match, the local papers carried headlines like this:

📰 “Augsburg suffers a crushing defeat. Just a moment of brilliance. Augsburg’s No. 19 and 18-year-old forward score a counterattack.”

For individual evaluation

📰 “Ren’s presence is strong even when he is overwhelmed. His pass cuts through Liverpool’s midfield once.”

The bus back home.

Ren was quiet and looked out the window.

Himmel muttered quietly next to me.

“…Today was the first time I thought that.”

“I thought, ‘We can score against an opponent like that?'”

Ren answered quietly, still facing forward.

“Then it’s your turn to make them think they can win.”

Next → Episode 46 “Distance”

In the aftermath of the match against Liverpool, the disappointment that affected the team made Ren feel that he was still far away.

———–

*Liverpool FC

✨ In one word…

“Pride over victory, soul over scores – that’s Liverpool.”

Liverpool is a place of hope for life, a home for the soul, and a prayer.

The joy of victory and the tears of defeat are rewarded with the words, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

It is one of the most inspiring clubs in the world.

🔴 Liverpool FC’s culture, atmosphere, and characteristics

① Top-level prestigious clubs in Europe and the world

Founded: 1892, Merseyside, England

Main titles:

・Premier League (including the former First Division): 20 times

・FA Cup: 8 times

-UEFA Champions League: 6 times (most in England)

– A club that boasts one of the best combinations of history, results, and brand power in Europe.

② The spirit of “You’ll Never Walk Alone”

・Liverpool’s signature song, “You’ll Never Walk Alone (YNWA)”

　A hymn that symbolizes the bond between fans and players, and between the city and the club.

– The moment this song was played at Anfield was one of the most moving moments in football history.

-This phrase embodies Liverpool’s way of life, which goes beyond winning and losing.

3. A sense of unity that “clubs are the lifeblood of the city”

-Liverpool is a port city that once suffered from industrial decline.

・Throughout this, the club continued to be “the pride of the city” and “a symbol of rebirth.”

-Liverpool FC is loved by many people as more than just a “club”; it is their “reason for living” and their “identity.”

4. Supporter culture: The most loyal group in the world

-Fans are called “Scousers” (people who speak the Liverpool dialect).

-They have a huge fan base not only in the UK but also in Asia, the Middle East, and North America.

・Even when they don’t win, their continued support is praised around the world.

⑤ Tactics and style: Spirited “gegenpressing” and hard work

– Under Jurgen Klopp’s management, they have made a great comeback with their “gegenpressing (instant regain of possession) x ultra-aggressive style”.

However, there have been many tactically brilliant managers in the past, such as Dalglish and Benitez.

-What is common throughout the ages is the soulful play of “running, fighting, and believing in each other.”

🏟 Anfield

Capacity: Approximately 54,000 people (expansion planned)

・One of the world’s most sacred stadiums.

– The famous “The Kop” is the legendary area behind the goal where the supporters sing together in one voice.

– “Anfield Night” is famous as a space where miracles happen during the Champions League and big matches.