Football taught Liam how to hit another person, but it also taught him how to take one. Padding or not, getting pushed to the ground by someone intent on shoving him down. His feet planted and he would let Van hit him but not without retalation transpiring at the same time. Ven left himself open for Liam to grab him by the front of his shirt, forcing him to go down with him if it came to that.
Maybe at some point after all this, Liam would feel a hint of regret for using Van, but that was a big maybe leaning toward not happening. His sneakers slid against the floor and he felt his jaw reverberate. Kelpie were strong, but weres were strong too. And a were that knew how to use that strength.
It didn't disorient him but it definitely forced Liam to be cautious about letting Van land anymore punches. He had a firm grip on the other boy's shirt and planted one foot forward and shoved Van back, positioning his foot to trip Van back.