Dynasty Awakening: Building My Own Football Empire-Chapter 267: Wall of Anfield
Kenji frowned. The fact that Jean-Pierre had only brought up Kaito Tanaka could only mean that they had passed on Victor Osimhen for whatever reason. He had probably asked for Kenji’s help because they were worried Michael would decline if they lowballed the club for their star striker.
He didn’t have to think for long before giving an answer.
"My players are all under long-term contracts, I won’t interfere with the manager’s plans." Kenji stated, his tone cold.
Inwardly, he was devastated that Victor was being overlooked, not because he wanted to sell him. But because he knew how much Victor had worked to improve his pressing game in the span of a month after being criticized by the media.
Now that he knew the reason for them ignoring him—his perceived lack of defensive work rate—it was even more heartbreaking to hear, especially after Victor had just sprinted the length of the pitch to set up the winner. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞
However, Victor had gone this far on his own merit, so Kenji decided not to pity him. He would continue to support him with improved contracts, no matter what decision the sharks made.
His gaze moved to the field where both his stars were celebrating the goal, though Kaito was on the ground clutching his hamstring with a giant smile on his face. He wondered if they would ever get to play together on the same pitch again this season.
Jean-Pierre seemed to have expected the response as a wry, shark-like smile formed on his face. He had no doubt that if he offered 150 million for both players, Kenji wouldn’t have hesitated to put a word in for the deal.
However, the reality was that they only wanted the Samurai.
He produced a gold-embossed card from his suit pocket and respectfully handed it to Kenji. "We will send the formal offer to your office, but here is my private number in case you need anything."
Michael and Arthur, who were hugging on the touchline, happened to look up into the VIP stands where their owner was. They saw an unfamiliar man handing over a business card before walking away.
Michael’s eyes lit up while Arthur seemed to be confused.
"Who was that suit talking to Kenji and Sarah?" He asked.
"I think it might have been one of the super-agents!" Michael exclaimed, feeling a sense of excitement flood through his body.
"But why would they be talking to our owner right now?"
"Maybe it’s about us? Kenji knows a lot of people in the billionaire club so I wouldn’t be surprised if they want to sponsor us."
Arthur was a little skeptical, holding his bag of jelly babies tightly, however, he chose to humor his Boss for now. They had still yet to win the game considering it was deep into stoppage time.
After the goal celebration, Liverpool came up to attack and got a corner after a deflection off Vladimir. Virgil van Dijk was sent forward in quick succession while Alisson managed to get into the Barnsley box. However, Jan Visser kept up his heroic goalkeeping appearance and caught a cross straight from the air for their safety.
Since Liverpool’s attacking wave had taken a while, Jan Visser had managed to regain his composure. He was like a true wall, commanding the tail end of Barnsley’s defense with ease.
While his kicks weren’t as precise as in the first half, they were still very much alive. Along with Diego’s chaos, they managed to shut down the opponents to end the 95th minute.
The score was currently 3-2 in favor of the Barnsley Misfits.
This didn’t change until the 97th minute when Salah hit a curling shot to send the Anfield crowd into a frenzy. Jan Visser tipped it over afterwards, but was promptly screamed at after a goal kick resulted in another turnover.
Thus the pressure jumped to maximum with Liverpool’s clean-up hitters up to bat in the dying seconds of the game.
Despite the 1-goal advantage, none of the Barnsley players looked complacent. Jan Visser especially seemed as if he had walked onto a battlefield. He looked like a solitary hero as he stood upon the goal line, his tall frame casting a long shadow on the six-yard box.
Diego Nunez stared at him from the edge of the box and could only let out a smile. He knew that this man didn’t need any words of encouragement; he was primed and ready to decimate the opponent’s hope.
All he needed to do was catch properly for one more minute and they would be crowned the kings of Anfield.
Jan didn’t disappoint, sending a punch straight into the crowded box. The sound of his glove striking the ball seemed to echo in the stadium, sending the Liverpool attackers into despair.
’W-What the hell is this guy on? Hasn’t he made ten saves straight already?’
The Liverpool striker felt incredulous, seeing that Barnsley’s keeper was still able to jump so high and accurate despite facing over 20 shots in this game. He tried to header some balls in order to drive up the pressure, however, a ’Hidden Thorn’ shove from Vladimir caused him to head wide.
"Safe!"
A cheer rang out from the away end and dugout in response.
"Just one more minute Jan!"
"You can do it Spider!"
Spurned on by the words of his teammates, Jan Visser’s eyes glimmered. The next 3 crosses were deadly catches, making the world-class attackers look as if they were elementary schoolers.
The entire Liverpool team looked dejected as they watched their best chance retreat to the midfield with the ball in Jan’s hands. There were already tears of frustration welling up in the fans’ eyes.
The final attacker wasn’t in any better condition, approaching the box with his shoulders slouched, seemingly already defeated.
"KEEP PUSHING! IT’S NOT OVER YET!"
A shout came from the Liverpool technical area. A middle-aged man with a baseball cap who Michael could only assume was Jurgen Klopp was yelling out on the edge of the field.
His face was serious, yet veins were popping in his neck, belying his true emotions.
In response, the other Liverpool players roared out, showcasing their fighting spirit and unwillingness to give up. The manager’s words were like a spark which ignited the fire within the heavy metal machine.
Michael couldn’t help but feel for these people. He had been in the same situation many times in the lower leagues, yet there could only be one winner in the end.
PHEEEP
"Full Time"
PHEEEP
"Game Over"
PHEEEEEEEP!
"Victory!"
The whistle blew three times, piercing the Anfield air like a knife.
Michael Sterling dropped to his knees. He didn’t run. He didn’t jump. He just collapsed onto the wet grass, the adrenaline leaving his body in a rush.
"We did it," Arthur whispered, dropping his jelly babies into the mud. "We actually fucking did it."
On the pitch, the scenes were pure chaos.
Diego Nunez tackled Vladimir Petrovic, bringing the giant down like a felled tree.
Jan Visser screamed at the sky, his gloves thrown into the crowd.
But Michael wasn’t looking at them. He was looking at the stretcher.
The medical team was carrying Kaito Tanaka off the field. The Japanese winger was crying, his face buried in his hands.
Michael stood up. He dusted off his expensive suit knees. He walked past Klopp, past the cameras, past the celebrating Misfits.
He walked straight to the stretcher.
"Boss..." Kaito sobbed, seeing Michael approach. "I’m sorry. I broke."
Michael shook his head. He placed a hand on Kaito’s shoulder.
"You didn’t break, Kaito. You exploded."
Michael leaned in close.
"You gave me a hamstring. I will give you a statue."
Kaito managed a weak smile through the tears. "A purple statue?"
"The purples of statues," Michael promised.
Kenji and Sarah arrived at the tunnel entrance, having run down from the VIP box. Kenji looked disheveled, his tie askew, but his eyes were shining.
"Michael!" Kenji shouted. "Jean-Pierre... he offered 100 million! For Kaito!"
Michael looked at his owner. He looked at the broken player on the stretcher. Then he looked back at the pitch where the scoreboard read Liverpool 2 - Barnsley 3.
"Tell him to fuck off," Michael said calmly. "The price just went up."
As the team disappeared down the tunnel, the Anfield crowd stood up.
They didn’t boo. They clapped.
They recognized heart when they saw it.
But Michael knew the truth. The battle was won, but the war had taken its first casualty.
He looked at his system interface.
SYSTEM ALERT
MISSION COMPLETED: THE IMPOSSIBLE FORTRESS
REWARDS:
S-Grade Elixir (Unknown)
Platinum Lottery Ticket
5000 Influence Points
Michael grinned.
"Time to go shopping," he whispered.
