Phil Thompson, 49, was the legendary captain of Liverpool at the peak of the 1980s. After retiring, he stayed in the club. He once served as assistant to former manager Evans and later assisted Houllier.


    What impresses the fans most about the former famous club of the Red Army is that in October 2001, after the head coach Houllier had to leave the post temporarily because of a heart attack, he led the team in a critical moment and achieved quite good results. However, when Houllier returned, he had to return to his assistant role again.


    For this capable right-hand man, Houllier also attaches great importance, especially after reading the game report he brought back, he is very sure of his inference.


    "You''re right, Phil. It''s a pretty fatal loophole."


    Hollier was full of surprise to put down the hands of the game report, did not hide his excitement.


    It''s too tempting to beat the Ever Victorious Manager Gao Han and the 200 million legion of Chelsea.


    He vowed that no one in professional football in Europe could resist such temptation.


    More importantly, Liverpool''s goal this season is to compete for the top four of the league and retain their qualification for the Champions League.


    Manchester United and Arsenal will not change much. Newcastle, Liverpool and Chelsea will compete for one of the remaining two seats. Therefore, direct dialogue will become very important.


    It''s not just three points in the league, it may even determine the qualification of the Champions League.


    Phil Thompson also suggested with a smile: "then I''ll start to arrange the relevant training."


    "Well." Houllier nodded, "the speed of Owen and Diouf will play a key role in this game. We should firmly grasp this loophole and create opportunities around this area."


    "Well, I understand."


    Haji Diouf, the Senegalese international, became famous for beating France in the 2002 World Cup. After he moved to Liverpool, his performance was average, but he was only 22 years old, so Houllier is still looking forward to him.


    Like Michael Owen, Diouf''s biggest characteristic is his lightning speed, which makes him very dangerous on the court and good at playing on the left.


    Now that we have grasped the weakness of Chelsea, Houllier and the coaching staff will make targeted tactics according to this weakness, and practice the defensive and counter attack routines of restraining Chelsea in the team.


    Fortunately, there is still plenty of time.


    "High cold, we will give you an unforgettable present at Anfield stadium!"


    …………


    …………


    The Premier League is about to start, and the atmosphere at the Spurs Park training base in Fulham is becoming more and more tense.


    Last season, the team played very badly. Under the leadership of French coach Tigana, the team was once in the relegation zone. At the end of the season, the management had to fire coach Tigana and promote the retired young coach Chris Coleman to the top.


    As a result, Coleman led the team to avoid relegation and become famous in the first World War.


    This summer, the team has not invested any money in the transfer market, but sold the team''s right winger Finnan to Liverpool. The overall strength has not increased but decreased. Even in the pre-season warm-up game, the performance is not satisfactory.


    However, head coach Coleman appears confident, promising that the goal of the team this season will not be relegation.


    There are a lot of players in the team who believe in him, because the second youngest head coach in the Premier League has successfully conquered everyone last season, and everyone believes in his coaching level.


    Including Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.


    Van der Sar is 32 years old, even in the goalkeeper position, can be regarded as a veteran.


    Even last season, because of injuries and other reasons, van der Sar only played 19 times in the Premier League. Many people doubt whether he will retire or return to Holland.


    But he stayed.


    Because coach Coleman told him that the team needed him.


    It''s always nice to be needed, isn''t it?


    Middlesbrough is the first round opponent of the Premier League in the new season. This team has invested a lot in this summer. Among them, the most famous player is the loan of mendetta from Lazio. They hope to help the former superstar who lost his career in Lazio and Barcelona to regain his former state.


    Even if it''s only half recovered, they''ve made it.


    For mendetta''s experience, van der Sar is very sympathetic, and even some empathy.


    Because he had the same experience.


    He made his debut in Ajax youth training. Under the cultivation of his mentor van Gaal, he became the pillar of the team and helped Ajax win the Champions League, which was the peak of his career.


    At that time, van der Sar was sought after by European giants. Many teams were eager for him to join, and he also went to Serie A with ambition to join Juve. He hoped to prove his strength in the small world cup.


    But the result did not expect, in the two seasons of Juve, but became the darkest two years of his career.


    Poor performance, low-level mistakes, let him suffer from the fans and the media attack.


    Even after Juve bought goalkeeper Buffon from Parma at a high price, Edwin van der Sar was ignored and finally had to join the Premier League promotion Fulham.


    This huge fall from heaven to hell, van der Sar and mendetta is how similar.


    The difference is that the Dutchman is thirty-two years old, and he recognizes it.


    The only thing he wants now is to play well at Fulham, play well, finish his Premier League contract, return to Holland, return to Ajax, which he knows well, and retire.


    It''s simple. It''s simple.


    It''s like his plain black Volkswagen, or his low-key life in Morton, South London.


    Gradually, he got used to this kind of life.


    As usual, after finishing the training course, I took a bath, changed my clothes, drove the black Volkswagen and slowly left the training base.


    Thorns park is located in the southern suburb of London, between Morton and Kingston on the Thames.


    The van der Sar family lives in Morton New District, a middle and upper class community that has just developed in recent years.


    He rented a three story villa with a separate garden and spacious rooms.


    Wife home, a pair of children in the vicinity of a good school, sooner or later home.


    Almost every day, he would come home on time, park the car, enter the door, and see two kids sitting face to face doing their homework. At this time, his wife should be preparing a big dinner in the kitchen.


    Every time, he would smile at the children and say, "hurry up, I''ll wait for you in the back."


    The two kids are always very excited, especially their son, much like him when he was young.


    But today, a sudden call broke the long-term peace.


    Chris Coleman?


    Why does he call at this time?


    Van der Sar frowned, but waved to the two children, turned out of the living room and went to the garden to get on the phone.


    "I''m very sorry, Edwin. I have to tell you some sad news." The voice of the head coach came over the phone.


    Van der Sar frowned deeper. Is the club dissatisfied with himself?


    At the beginning, one of the reasons why he came to Fulham from Juve was that Fulham''s salary was very good.


    But now, Fulham is obviously starting to cut back on his expenses. Is it necessary to take advantage of the high wage earners in his team?


    "It''s OK, you say, Chris." Van der Sar''s mind turned sharply, but he remained calm.


    No matter what the other party says, he can accept it calmly.


    "Well, Edwin, I believe you know the current situation of the team


    "Well." Van der Sar''s sense of foreboding is even worse.


    "Just a moment ago, the club informed me that this morning, Chelsea sent us a quotation fax and they were willing to buy you at Stamford Bridge for 10 million euros. Gao Han also called me to inquire about your situation


    "What?" Van der Sar was shocked.


    Alpine? Chelsea?


    How is that possible?


    "I''m not very clear about the specific situation, but I can see that alpine really wants to buy you."


    Van der Sar still finds it difficult to understand because he is 32 years old.


    What''s more, his performance at Fulham has not been satisfactory.


    Chelsea is known as the 200 million legion, even if the players they bought are not famous European players, they are at least the best stars in the Premier League. How can they not get their turn?


    "Anyway, Edwin, I hope you can understand the difficulties of the club. We need the money. Besides, I have given him your mobile phone number and he should call you soon."


    Van der Sar took a deep breath and soon recovered.


    He''s a professional and knows exactly where he is.


    "I see. Thank you, Chris." Van der Sar replied faintly, in the same tone as usual.


    Chris Coleman seemed to give a wry smile and finally sighed, "good luck, Edwin."


    "You too."


    After hanging up, van der Sar let out a long breath.


    It''s a bit hard for him to understand. Why does Chelsea like him?


    And the high cold.


    He vaguely remembers that in 2001, he once had contact with Atletico Madrid. There were even media rumors that Atletico Madrid wanted to buy him, but later it seemed that the high price of Juve scared Atletico Madrid away.


    Is it true that the alpine people want to be themselves?


    But it doesn''t make sense!


    As a 32 year old veteran who has experienced so many ups and downs at the same time, Edwin van der Sar knows very well that his performances at Juve and Fulham are not ideal.


    Of course, he knows the reason better, but as a professional, he has no escape and no excuse.


    Why me?


    Van der Sar asked himself.


    But soon, another call came in, the caller ID is a strange number.


    Van der Sar took a deep breath, exhaled heavily and got through.


    "Hello, Edwin. I''m Gao Han."


    Simply a word, but let van der Sar heart rolling up a huge wave.


    It''s a famous European coach who spent 200 million euro on the phone in the summer!


    "Hello, Mr. Gao Han. Nice to hear from you."


    "Thank you." Alpine seems very polite, without the dignity of some famous marshals.


    It may have something to do with his youth.


    Van der Sar thought to himself that he had seen some reports of Atletico Madrid from newspapers and magazines.


    "If it''s convenient for you, I''d like to meet you and have a good chat. You know, many things can''t be explained clearly on the phone."


    "Well, when? Where? "


    "Well... The faster the time, the better. It''s ok now. Whatever the location, I''ll be right there." The high cold is very warm.


    This makes van der Sar''s heart slightly warm, thought, "then simply in Morton, where there is a good coffee."


    "Well, well, I''m in Harrington. I''ll be right there."


    After hanging up, van der Sar breathed heavily again, with some confusion in his eyes.


    But he walked home quickly.


    Before going out, he had to tell his wife to appease the two kids.


    I can''t play with them today（ (to be continued.)