The Champions League group stages all ended. Koeman summarized the team's performance in the group stage when attending the press conference after the game.

"We were assigned to a highly competitive group. For most Champions League groups, there are only two strong teams and two weak teams. In this way, the suspense of qualifying only exists when two teams win first place in the group, but Liverpool is not in such a group. We have strong opponents like Lyon and Fiorentina.

It must be admitted that Liverpool's performance in the two rounds of the match with Lyon was not satisfactory. That was not Liverpool's real strength. We were trapped by injuries and made it so late. We should have locked the qualifying spot in advance at the end of the previous round. As a result, we won't be disappointed with this. After all, we are a team that set sail again in the summer. The problems encountered in the new season are the same as most teams. The reality will never be perfect as expected. I am very happy that the team has overcome the difficulties and has recently recovered its unstoppable state at the beginning of the season. Now we have advanced to the top 16 of the Champions League. We can take a breath and concentrate on the league and strive to adjust to the best state in the next two months to deal with the Champions League knockout round."

Someone at the scene immediately raised his hand and asked: "The impact of the injury you mentioned is actually Qin Xiong's absence, right? This season, as long as Qin Xiong plays, Liverpool won a complete victory, and in the game he is absent, there is only one Champions League match against Di Bisseni, Liverpool won, right?"

Koeman shook his head and said, "This is a one-sided interpretation of Liverpool's decline in record performance over the past period of time. How much impact does Carragher's absence have on the defense? You should also think about this issue, including Scotter Torres Aurelio, etc. We need at least 11 main players to fight!"

"But Qin Xiong immediately helped the team out of the predicament after his comeback. His goals and assists are the most effective contribution to Liverpool, right? In Liverpool's team, Qin Xiong is obviously the most important player. Whether he is or not, Liverpool is the two teams."

Perhaps this reporter is suspected of sowing discord and creating conflicts in Liverpool's locker room.

But Koeman did not give an ambiguous answer, but said firmly: "Yes, you are right. We all must admit that Gerald is the banner of Liverpool and he is also the spiritual leader. Alonso, Torres and other players have brought Liverpool to the next level. But Qin Xiong? He is the team that improves the team from level, and he makes victory easier.

Let’s ask Real Madrid, if Qin Xiong was not injured last season, would they lose to Barcelona? I believe 99% of Real Madrid fans will say that if Qin Xiong can maintain full attendance last season, Real Madrid will definitely be able to defend their title.

A superstar who has been ranked in the top three in the Golden Globe Awards selection in the past four years and has become the Golden Globe winner twice. We should not doubt the role he has played on the team. In my eyes, Qin Xiong is the best in the world!

Fortunately, our players fully recognize this because they are a team. For the honor of the team, it is obviously better to have Qin Xiong in the team, and no one will be jealous or dissatisfied."

If someone raised such a topic three years ago, I'm afraid no head coach would dare to say that Qin Xiong is more important than Raul in Real Madrid, or discuss Qin Xiong is more important than Henry in Arsenal. But now, whether it is Koeman, most media, thinks it is natural. Not to mention that Qin Xiong's competitive contribution and value are more important than Gerald, Torres, and Alonso, and it is irreplaceable. Of course, if someone understands this as Gerald and others, it is dispensable, then it can only be said that such a vision is too narrow.

Because it is very simple for a team to go from 60 points to 80 points, some important signings, suitable skills and tactics, good running-in, etc. can all make a team reach the level of 80 points.

But it is difficult to score 80 to 85 points. It requires important stars and superstars, and go further on the previous basis.

And from 85 to 95, it is even more difficult!

It is obvious that Liverpool, without Qin Xiong, may have reached the level of about 85 points, but Qin Xiong can allow Liverpool to climb to the 95-point level!

Koeman did not admit Qin Xiong's team status against his will, and he also believed that this must be clear and there was no problem in publicizing it.

Whoever is dissatisfied with Liverpool is actually fighting against the entire team!

A reporter from the audience turned the topic back to the Champions League.

"Bordeaux, Real Madrid, Barcelona, ​​and Sevilla. Among the four opponents, there are two strong teams and two teams with slightly weaker strength. Which opponent do you most hope for?"

Among the other seven groups, since Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all won the first place in the group, Liverpool may only encounter four opponents in the Champions League round of 16 draw.

Koeman smiled easily and said, "I won't think about this problem now. We won't entrust our destiny to pray. That's useless. Besides, I think it's the same for everyone to draw. The reason is very simple. The teams in the Champions League top 16 gathered the strongest clubs in European football. If you want to go further, or if your ambition is to win the Champions League championship, we can't always meet a team with a weaker strength from the 1/8 final to the final. The probability is too low. We always have to face strong opponents. Since that's the case, there is no big difference between meeting early or late."

The reporter asked the question immediately said: "The last time you led Ajax to win the Champions League, you played Porto, who was not strong in the final."

Koeman shook his head and said, "But Ajax met opponents like Chelsea, Arsenal, and Monaco in the knockout round. Monaco eliminated Real Madrid that season, Porto eliminated Manchester United, and the unforgettable La Coruña also lost to Porto, so what you said is not true. That Champions League event was full of upsets, but it cannot be said that the team's strength is not strong. It can only be said that two teams with not top fame met on the final field. This situation is very rare and it is almost impossible to see it now."

When talking about the 2004 that he will never forget, Koeman naturally talked too much.

The reporters in the audience looked at each other and could understand Koeman's mentality and recall the glorious years of the past.
Chapter completed!