Lazy Genius Striker [EN]: Chapter 67

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“…”

“…”

The moment the whistle blew, signaling the end of the game,

Anfield was plunged into a vast silence.

They lost.

They were defeated.

By West Ham.

West Ham, who until last year, although tricky, were still opponents they absolutely had to beat, had once again eluded them.

The importance of today’s game was self-evident.

A clash between the 1st and 3rd place teams, with a small point difference. It wasn’t just a game worth 3 points.

It was a game worth 6 points, or even more.

That game, just like last season.

They failed to stop one player and lost it all.

The shock was immense.

But beyond that, this was Anfield.

Liverpool had the confidence that they wouldn’t lose to any opponent at Anfield.

Liverpool fans also had that pride.

But they lost at Anfield.

So, it was natural for Liverpool fans to be shocked and fall silent.

However.

“…He’s really good.”

“He’s insane.”

“Is he really sixteen? How can a high schooler do that?”

The game was already over, and there was no way to change the result.

There was no point in booing now.

So, the resigned Liverpool fans began to honestly express their feelings one by one.

Johan van.

He was an opposing player, but they sincerely admired him.

He played well.

No, he played really well.

The plays he showed today were worthy of respect, even for an opposing player.

Liverpool fans, of course, knew Anfield better than anyone else.

They had watched anywhere from dozens to hundreds of games.

But none of them had ever seen a player perform like that at Anfield.

No matter how much they yelled, he would shut them up as if telling them to be quiet.

No matter how much they cursed, he didn’t even blink and led his team to victory.

His play wasn’t flashy, but it was firm and full of guts.

And that guy was only sixteen.

So, they couldn’t help but respect him.

That’s why an amazing scene began to unfold.

The Liverpool fans, filling Anfield, all stood up and began to applaud.

For the opposing player who showed an unbelievable performance today.

No, for a brave human being worthy of respect.

Clap clap clap clap-!

A standing ovation.

Anfield’s standing ovation poured out for Johan.

It’s not common for all the spectators to applaud for one player, even at their home stadium.

But this was the opponent’s home.

Anfield, known as the hell for visiting teams.

At that Anfield, the home fans were applauding Johan.

“Huh…?”

The West Ham players, who were enjoying the joy of victory, were dumbfounded.

For a moment, they couldn’t even imagine the meaning of the applause.

Why is Liverpool applauding when they lost?

Of course, they couldn’t understand, and they looked at the scoreboard, wondering if a Liverpool legend was in the stands, but the face the scoreboard was showing was too young to be a legend.

The scoreboard showed a black-haired boy.

“Ah.”

Only then did they nod.

Yeah.

It was understandable.

The West Ham players knew better than anyone.

That Johan’s performance today was worthy of applause, even from the opposing team’s fans.

Clap clap.

For the youngest member, who was a bit quirky but lovable.

The older players added their voices to the loud applause.

Johan, who was simply exchanging greetings with the Liverpool players, didn’t even seem to realize that the applause was directed at him.

“That kid.”

“He really doesn’t know how great the things he’s doing are.”

Does Johan even know?

What he has done now.

How great that is.

Maybe he doesn’t.

He’s a truly amazing and unique guy in many ways.

“Good game.”

“You guys worked hard.”

“Next time, take it easy on us. Do you have something against us?”

“Haha, yeah. A hat trick in two consecutive games is a bit much.”

The Liverpool players who greeted Johan were disappointed that they lost the game, but they greeted Johan with a smile.

Of course, the players who had been on the same ground as Johan knew best.

How unbelievable each and every one of Johan’s plays today was.

So, they were disappointed with the loss itself, but they were glad that it was understandable.

They lost because they deserved to lose.

Therefore, the Liverpool players also shook hands with Johan with respect.

“Um, if it’s okay with you, can we exchange jerseys?”

“Jerseys?”

“Yeah. Mine and yours.”

Liverpool’s winger, Ander Carvalho, who scored two goals today, cautiously requested a jersey exchange with Johan.

Carvalho is Liverpool’s main striker and Portugal’s main striker, and a player who is called a world-class wing forward. When playing against teams they don’t meet often, like in the Champions League, Carvalho is the one who gets the most jersey exchange requests from opposing players.

Such Carvalho asked Johan for a jersey exchange first.

It was thanks to winning the rock-paper-scissors game with his teammates before the game.

Because there were many players who wanted Johan’s jersey.

“Thank you. I’ll cherish it.”

“Ah, yes.”

Carvalho happily smiled and returned with Johan’s jersey.

Watching Carvalho, Johan tilted his head.

What’s so good about a sweaty jersey that he’s taking it?

By the way, what should I do with this jersey I received? Should I wash it and keep it?

Ugh, annoying.

“Even though they’re the opposing team, aren’t they pretty decent fans?”

“Why?”

“Unlike some other teams’ fans, they still stay in the stadium until the end.”

Gordon put his hand on Johan’s shoulder and said.

After the standing ovation for Johan ended, the Liverpool fans were chanting Liverpool’s anthem instead of leaving the stadium.

Even though they are the opposing team, they are pretty cool fans.

They are people who think that comforting each other is the first thing to do, even in the face of a shocking defeat.

Of course, after that, there will be criticism that is hard to endure, but still, where else would you find that?

Thinking that way, Anfield is a pretty cool place.

But.

“Still, our fans are the best.”

“Hammers, you guys worked hard today. Really.”

As expected, the best are the Hammers [West Ham’s nickname for their fans].

It’s not easy to come to Anfield for away support.

Liverpool is not a quiet city. Especially on the day of a Liverpool game.

It’s not for nothing that police are stationed around the stadium and even in the alleys.

It’s common for incidents to happen here when Liverpool loses.

Fans who came to this place despite that.

They cheered and suffered together, receiving angry glares, so that our players wouldn’t lose their spirit and would suffer in enemy territory.

For them, the players stayed on the ground for a long time after the game and enjoyed the joy of victory with the fans.

“Kid, come forward.”

“Yeah. Wave your hand at them.”

“It’s a victory you gifted them.”

The older players pushed Johan forward.

Pushed like that, as he went forward, the fans in the away section spread their arms wide and cheered.

Certainly, encountering the fans at away games is even more welcoming.

The words his mom and dad used to say came to mind.

You should always be grateful to the fans who love you like this.

Also, his grandfather had said.

The reason you can receive such a large sum of money just for being good at kicking a ball is because of the existence of fans.

That’s right.

Johan bowed his head towards them.

Then, the fans cheered even more.

They were the away fans who received an unexpected big gift thanks to Johan.

They never thought they would enjoy the joy of victory at Anfield [Liverpool’s home stadium].

In many ways, the atmosphere at Anfield that day was the best.

***

“So, you don’t know because you don’t know. This is a really big deal…”

“I know, hyung [older brother or male friend in Korean].”

“What do you know! Listen! So, Anfield is a place…”

“Sigh…”

The restaurant of the hotel where the West Ham players were staying.

Late in the evening, Johan and Rohan met.

Rohan was, as expected, in a state of extreme excitement, and Johan sighed because his brother started talking about soccer as soon as they met, burying his face in a plate piled high with food.

“Anyway, it was really amazing. I don’t think Dad has ever won at Anfield? I’m so proud of my brother.”

“Did you get any texts from Dad?”

“Yeah. I must have exchanged about three hundred messages? Let’s see.”

Rohan, excited, took out his phone.

His phone didn’t have a moment to rest because of the messages from his dad during the game.

Rohan brought up the message screen with his dad and handed it to Johan, and Johan chewed on his food as he scanned his dad’s messages.

Dad: Damn, isn’t that referee paid off?

Dad: Why is Petrovic so unstable? I’m going crazy.

Dad: I knew it. I knew we’d get breached on the left!

Dad: A penalty? Is that a penalty? Wait. I’m going to track that referee’s account.

Dad: Why are the kids passing like that today? They can’t focus. Just connect it accurately to Johan!

Dad: Rohan, yell for me.

Dad: Dad just secretly cracked open another can of beer without Mom knowing.

“…Pfft.”

Johan burst into laughter.

It seems like these were messages sent around the beginning of the game.

He must have been really frustrated at this time.

Hm? But there are no messages for the next 20 minutes.

Dad: Your mom caught me;; Aish, that woman

Dad: What? Why is it 2-1? Who scored? Johan?

Dad: A penalty? Was it awesome? Wow! I missed it! Should I go have a fight with your mom?

Dad: I’m holding back because I have to watch soccer. Johan, let’s go! Let’s score two more goals!

The scene plays out in his head.

His dad trying to secretly throw away the hidden beer can, but getting caught by his mom.

Wow. He’s acting tough when Mom’s not watching.

Dad: Wow!1111111

Dad: We won!11111

Dad: Gooooaaaaaaal

Dad: Johaaaaaaan

The messages after that had so many typos that it was hard to understand.

You could feel from the text that he was in a state of extreme excitement. No, as if that wasn’t enough.

Dad: Photo

He even sent a photo.

Of course, that photo was also blurry and hard to recognize, but it seemed like he was jumping around happily.

“…Dad. Have you always been like this during games?”

“Yeah. Man, he’s even worse when watching live. At least he’s slow at typing. When he’s in the stands, it feels like my eardrums are going to burst.”

Johan chuckled.

Usually, his dad was a serious and sometimes scary figure to Johan.

‘He’s been like this when watching my games.’

He’s changed a lot since I started playing soccer.

Can I even say this to my dad?

He’s kind of cute.

Someday, should I try something like that?

Like a celebration for Dad.

Then, Dad would go crazy, right?

“Hey, don’t do things like that carelessly.”

“Why?”

“We might end up with another sibling.”

“…”

…A sibling?

Not bad.

It means there will be someone to run errands for me.

***

-West Ham 3:2 Liverpool, The Miracle of Anfield! West Ham Maintains Top Spot in the League, Liverpool’s Home Unbeaten Streak Ends

└Wow, I thought they’d be lucky to get a draw at Anfield ㄷㄷ [Korean internet slang indicating surprise or disbelief]

└Aish, Liverpool, you idiots, we could have been in first place if you had won

└짭시 [Jjapsi – derogatory term for Manchester City fans], you guys lost too

└You said you’d never lose at home ㅅㅂ [Korean internet slang, abbreviation of a swear word]

└What can we do when there’s a crazy guy on West Ham

└That’s true ㅅㅂ…

-3 Goals at Anfield, Johan Ban! Fifth Hat-Trick of the Season!

└I have no words other than crazy…

└Already his fifth hat-trick?

└Is there any other striker who can score a hat-trick at Anfield right now besides him?

└Did you see him take the PK [Penalty Kick]? ㄹㅇ [Real/Really] Stone-cold killerㅋㅋㅋ [Korean internet slang for laughter]

└His hat-trick opponents are Palace, Liverpool, Man U [Manchester United], Arsenal, and Man Cityㅋㅋㅋ He only scores hat-tricks against strong teams

└??? Are there only two teams that can be called strong teams?

└A Palace fan pretending to be an Arsenal fan pretending to be a Man U fan

└Does Crystal Palace look like a joke to you?

-Overwhelming Top Scorer Johan Ban, Adds 3 Goals Against Liverpool, Reaching 32 League Goals… Ties the Most Goals Record Since the Introduction of the 38-Game System

└Salah is cryingㅋㅋㅋ

└Shearer will soon… lose a title…

└32 goals in 18 rounds ㄷㄷ 64 goal pace in 38 rounds ㄷㄷ

└This was originally a joke, but why does it seem like it could actually happen ㅋㅋ

└The most surprising thing is that he’s 16 years old ㅋㅋ

└He’s already doing this well in the league, how many goals will he score later when he plays in the Champions League or cup competitions?

└Who knows? He’s someone who needs to be managed, so his record might drop if the number of games increases.

└That’s a bit of bullshit. He’s played in all but two games this season. He’s someone who manages his stamina on his own.

└He doesn’t skip games and always shows up diligently…

└He pretends to be lazy but he’s secretly diligent? ㅋㅋㅋ

Johan’s performance at Anfield, as expected, caused a heated reaction.

The game between Liverpool and West Ham was the most watched game of the week, so many media outlets covered the game even after it was over.

Channel BBC’s representative PL [Premier League] review program, was no exception.

“Your record is about to be broken, how do you feel, Shearer?”

“It’s a happy thing.”

“It’s a happy thing, but why are you crying?”

“Am I?”

“There are tear marks like my dog Happy. Anyway, Shearer. The season is halfway over. Who was the hottest player during the first half of the season?”

“Is that even a question? Of course, it’s West Ham’s Johan Ban.”

“You’ve compiled all of Johan’s first-half records. Please introduce them.”

A legend of 34 goals in a season.

Alan Shearer, who holds the record for the most goals in the Premier League, began to introduce data about Johan.

“Unbelievable records. Every single one of them. He has played in 16 of the 18 rounds, scoring 32 goals. He also has 11 assists. That means he has 43 attack points.”

“According to rumors, that means he missed 43 days of training. Please continue.”

“But, while looking up the records this time, do you know what record surprised me the most?”

“What is it? Is there a more surprising record than the goal record?”

“That’s the number of sprints.”