Liverpool rested in Tokyo for a day and rushed to Yokohama the next morning to prepare for the semi-finals of the Club World Cup with Urawa Red Diamonds.

At 11:30 am, under the arrangement of FIFA representatives, Liverpool held its first Club World Cup press conference after arriving in Japan at the Royal Garden Hotel in Yokohama. Head coach Benitez, captain Gerrard, forward Chen Yu and defender Carragher attended the press conference together.

Benitez spoke first: "This is our second time to come to Japan, which is an extraordinary thing. Yesterday we said on the plane that there are so many excellent clubs in Europe, but only one can come to Japan, and we are honored to represent Europe. All Milanese people know that the Club World Cup is our number one goal this season and we will do our best to win the championship."

Captain Gerald then took the microphone and said, "The outside world has very high expectations for us. We have an accurate goal: to get back the championship we lost in 2005. The teams participating in this event come from all continents and are excellent. It will not be easy to win the championship, but we firmly believe that we have the strength to achieve the best results."

Then Carragher spoke: "We arrived in Japan early and prepared for the battle, but winning the championship is not easy. We must be prepared for a tough battle. The Japanese team is mysterious and Boca is very powerful."

Finally, the host grandly introduced Chen Yu to the reporters on the scene and fans in front of the TV. "I would like to invite Chen Yu to speak now. He is the newly released Golden Globe Award winner and the biggest favorite of the world's footballer. He is the first professional player in Asia to win the Golden Globe Award. He is the pride of Asian football and a benchmark for all Asian players to catch up and learn."

Facing the praise from the Japanese host, Chen Yu performed calmly and took the microphone and said, "The Club World Cup championship is the dream of any player. The last time the team missed the chance to win the championship, the last time I was unable to participate due to injury, God gave us another chance. This time we must seize it. Although our goal is to win the championship, we should not only focus our eyes and eyes on the finals and Boca youth. The opponents in the semi-finals are not easy to deal with. Urawa Red Diamond has the advantage of the home court and is waiting for it. And they will definitely fight to the death. If we are too careless, the gutter may capsize."

Finally, the reporter asked a question. As the new Ballon d'Or and Asian player, Chen Yu was naturally the focus of the reporter's attention. He also stole the limelight from his teammates and coaches. H asked questions almost all of them all against him alone. Benitez, Gerald and Carragher were each asked once and dealt with the matter.

"Chen Yu, what's the journey?" asked a reporter.

Chen Yu said: Everything is going well. We talked and laughed in the first few hours on the plane, but then we didn't talk much. Most of the players chose to sleep and rest.

"Did you feel the torture of jet lag?" the reporter continued.

Chen Yu smiled and said: It's really nothing. I'm used to the jet lag. I often go back to China, and China is very close to Japan. It's just that in that case, time has to be transferred backwards. What's important is that your whole body gradually adapts to the jet lag. Now, we will follow the requirements to decide when to eat and when to sleep."

"How do you feel when you won the first Golden Globe Award in Asia?" another Chinese reporter continued.

Chen Yu smiled and said, "Of course it's good. Nothing is better than winning an award, especially the best awards in the world."

A Japanese reporter asked: "Do you think there will be other players in Asia who will win the Golden Globe Award? Which country's players will be?"

Chen Yu shrugged and said, "There will definitely be there, and I hope there will be. As for which country it appears, it's hard to say, but it takes a little luck and time."

An Italian journalist then asked: "What do you think about transferring to Liverpool last year? Is this the right choice?"

Chen Yu smiled and said, "When you see me here to participate in the Club World Cup, it means that this is the right choice, but Fiorentina is also a great club, and I still miss it there."

Japanese journalists have the largest number of people here. After asking an Italian reporter, another Japanese journalist asked: "What do you think of Urawa Red Diamonds? Do you know them? Do you think they have a chance to defeat Liverpool?"

Chen Yu said: "We have a certain understanding of all teams. We have also watched the first game of Urawa Red Diamonds in the Club World Cup. They have experience, their personal skills and tactical qualities are also good. However, the biggest advantage of the Japanese team is the host. If we can make good use of this, we will not be able to play well."

"The Boca Youth Team should be your biggest opponent. In the previous Club World Cup, America's team won it. Are you confident that you will defeat the Boca Youth Team this time?"

Chen Yu said: "I have no confidence, but I have a lot of confidence. Team America is very special and there are not many opportunities to fight with us, but I think we can still beat them."

At this time, a Japanese reporter asked in a slightly provocative tone: "You announced your return to the Chinese team some time ago. Do you think you can lead the Chinese team to defeat Japan?"

Chen Yu smiled slightly and said, "I haven't thought about this problem. I don't think there is any problem qualifying in Asia. My goal is the World Cup. If I only want to play Asian games, I will not return at such an age."

Chen Yu's words attracted warm cheers from Chinese journalists, while the Japanese journalist who asked the question had a hot face.

After the press conference, in order to better adapt to the time difference, the players finished their lunch and took a break in the hotel and rushed to the training ground of the J League team Yokohama Marinos Sports Center for restorative training.

Liverpool's training session also attracted nearly 2,000 fans to watch, half of which were Chinese fans. It can be seen from the banners and small flags they held high that Japanese fans held the banners "Welcome Liverpool" and the team flag of Urawa Red Diamonds, while Chinese fans held the banners "Chen Yu" and the five-star red flag.

Head coach Benitez divided the team into two groups: the first group of players led by Lisser, Pennant, Chen Yu, Kuyt, Worenin and Cowell performed a series of shooting exercises; while other players led by Gerald, Alonso and Crouch performed acceleration running and crossing obstacles.

The two groups then held two group matches for about ten minutes, but because they had just arrived in Yokohama, the players did not do their best, but just had a gentle confrontation, but the wonderful cooperation and goals also made the fans cheer.

Chen Yu once again performed a hat trick in the training match, greatly satisfying the Asian fans who came to watch the desire to chase stars.

The training took about an hour and a half to finish. This time, the Liverpool superstars did not accept interviews with reporters, nor did they interact with fans, and went back to the hotel to rest.

In the annual Club World Cup, the teams are chasing more than just trophys. In fact, for South American clubs like Boca, the rich prize money of the Club World Cup is their biggest motivation to participate. FIFA has set up a total of US$16 million in this year's Club World Cup, which is 1 million more than last year. The champion team will receive US$5 million, runner-up 4 million, third-placed 2.5 million, fourth-placed 2 million, two fifth-placed teams each receive US$1 million, and seventh-placed teams receive US$500,000.

For South American teams, in addition to generous bonuses, selling their own players is also an important goal.

In a sense, the Club World Cup is also a draft. As early as the Toyota Cup era, Tokyo was a good football springboard. Club officials were holding heavy wallets and contracts, and threw money into the South American football geniuses to Europe. High wages and high incomes have infinite temptation for South American stars who grew up in slums, and those players who performed well in the game can often use this springboard to jump from South America to Europe. Therefore, the original confrontational relationship between Europe and South American football gradually became a relationship of employment and employment. Although the Toyota Cup was changed to the Club World Cup, the number of participating teams increased, and the title of the championship became more dazzling, the essence of this event as a "talent market" has not changed.

The players of Boca are the most attractive to scouts among all participating players. After this Club World Cup, there will definitely be many Boca players who will bid farewell to the club and move to a higher level. At present, the most popular European clubs in Boca are midfielder Banerga and striker Palacio. Italian media reported that Banerga is now being competed by Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus at the same time. Spanish media revealed that Real Madrid is also chasing, and English media believes that if Palacio performs well in the game, Liverpool may also take him under his jurisdiction.

This is the strongest desire of Chinese Milan, because Inter Milan boss Moratti has an extraordinary love for Argentine players. As early as the World Youth Championship in Canada, Inter Milan sent someone to follow and observe Banega. It is reported that Inter Milan's first 10 million euro offer had been delivered to Boca. Moratti believes that Banega is simply a mixture of Gattuso and Pirlo, and is an all-around player with great potential, who can both play back and front midfielder.

There are many clubs that like Palacio, and Barcelona has been paying attention to him. Now, the Lyon Club has also liked this braided striker and is preparing to bid 15 million euros. In addition, the two defenders, Crupoviessa and Medana, have also been favored by Marseille and Lazio clubs respectively, and players such as Cardoso and Vargas may also leave after the Club World Cup. It is worth mentioning that the 34-year-old veteran Palermo is also very popular. Boca No. 9 has now received an invitation from the American Major League Colombia Mariners. If he joins, he will reunite with his former Boca forward partner, Seloto.

With so many clubs paying attention, the Argentine Boca youth's desire for championship is undoubtedly stronger than that of Liverpool. Argentine Boca youth chairman Luis Busio, who is preparing for the Club World Cup in Tokyo, said that they are ready and believe that they can defeat all opponents. Even without Riquelme, they can still win the championship in their first Club World Cup.

A few days ago, FIFA ruled that since he had just transferred from Villarreal to Boca Youth, he had missed the registration deadline for the Club World Cup during the transfer, so Riquelme could not represent Boca to participate in the Club World Cup. This is undoubtedly a big blow to the Boca Youth Team. After all, Riquelme, 29 years old this year, has been the team's midfield core. He played for Boca Youth from 1996 to 2002 and led the team to win six domestic league and international championship titles. In the first half of this year, he was loaned back to Boca Youth Team by Villarreal, and led Boca to win the championship in the South American Liberators Cup.

"I think it's hard to find an athlete who can fill the Riquelme position," said Boca head coach Russo. "However, we still have a lot of great players. We are very happy to be able to participate in the Club World Cup, and for this day we have been waiting for a long time and we hope to add a brilliant mark to our long football history."

Riquelme's old comrade-in-arms Martin Palermo also said, "Roman's absence is very unfortunate and heartbreaking. Because he is our old comrade-in-arms. I believe he is not feeling well. When he cannot participate in the competition, we must find the tactics to replace him and win the Club World Cup. This is the best comfort for him."

According to the schedule of the Club World Cup, the Boca Youth Team will directly play the semi-finals, with the opponent being the ******* Saher Star Team; Liverpool will also play the semi-finals directly, with their opponent Urawa Red Diamonds. If nothing unexpected happens, the two teams will meet in the final held in Yokohama, Japan on the 16th.

For the Boca youth team, the first question to win without Riquelme is how to keep a guard against Chen Yu. In response, midfielder Sebastian Batagria said: "I know Chen Yu is a daunting player, but we also have many excellent players. With the care of our defensive players, he will never be able to get a little freedom. If Chen Yu wants to break through and score goals, we will definitely be able to stop him, and our defense can deal with any excellent attacker."

Forward Palermo said that he was "ready" and wanted to relive the glory of the 2000 Toyota Cup. He won two goals in that game, so that Boca beat Real Madrid to win the championship. "In the Club World Cup, if I can score again, it would be great. Beating Real Madrid 7 years ago was a special moment for me and I will never forget it. Now, Liverpool is as strong as Real Madrid back then. Liverpool's Chen Yu is the best striker in the world, but I hope to compete with him and see who scored more goals."

Head coach Russo said: "The players are eager to try and want to win and lose with Liverpool. But now the first thing is to defeat the ****** Saher Stars in the semi-finals. I have studied various information about this team. We must be careful. They have many excellent offensive players. We must think of ways to stop them, and then control the ball, use our attack power, play to our strengths and avoid weaknesses to win the game."
Chapter completed!