The Greatest of all Time

Chapter 706  The Sweet Taste of Victory

As the final whistle blew at Anfield, the stadium erupted into a frenzy. The Kop roared in jubilation, scarves twirling above heads, songs ringing out in celebration of another famous victory.

Liverpool had done it—they had defeated Manchester City 3-2 in a pulsating match that had tested every ounce of their resolve. The team was now eight games unbeaten in the Premier League, sitting comfortably at the top of the table with 24 points.

Below them, City and Chelsea were stuck on 19 points, left trailing as the Reds continued their relentless march toward glory.

On the pitch, the Liverpool players embraced each other, their faces lit with the joy of triumph.

Zachary Bemba, who had played a pivotal role in the win, was hugged tightly by his teammates. His last-minute assist for Daniel Sturridge's winning goal in the 93rd minute had sealed the victory and sent Anfield into ecstasy. The adrenaline from the match still coursed through him, but there was a sense of satisfaction knowing that the hard work had paid off.

"What a game, eh?" Virgil van Dijk said, clapping Zachary on the back. The towering Dutch defender had been a rock at the back, constantly battling City's attacking threats.

Zachary grinned. "We fought hard for this one. Everyone gave everything."

Nearby, Jürgen Klopp stood at the edge of his technical area, his trademark smile spreading across his face. The German manager, known for his boundless energy and passion, took a moment to soak in the atmosphere before heading toward the Manchester City bench.

Pep Guardiola, ever the sportsman, was already making his way toward Klopp. Despite the defeat, Guardiola was gracious as always, offering his hand. His face, however, betrayed a mix of frustration and admiration. This was the second time his team had been undone at Anfield in recent memory, and though they had fought valiantly, they couldn't stop Liverpool's relentless attacking prowess.

"Congratulations, Jürgen," Guardiola said, shaking Klopp's hand firmly. "You're lucky to have someone like Zachary in your team. He's a game-changer."

Klopp chuckled, patting Pep on the back. "I know, Pep. I know. But hey, you've got a team full of them as well. This one could have gone either way."

Pep smiled but nodded slightly, clearly still digesting the loss. "We'll meet again. This season isn't over."

With that, the two managers parted, each heading back toward their respective squads. Klopp, now beaming, moved across the pitch to congratulate his players one by one. He found Zachary near the halfway line, shaking his hand and pulling him into a quick embrace.

"You were brilliant today, Zachary. Absolutely brilliant. That assist at the end? Beautiful. We needed that win, and you helped make it happen."

Zachary smiled, humbled by Klopp's words. "Thanks, boss. It was a team effort. Everyone worked their socks off."

"And that's why we're winning. Keep that attitude, and we'll be unstoppable," Klopp said, clapping his hands together before moving on to the next player.

The proceedings moved forward quickly, and as the players began to leave the pitch and head toward the tunnel, the post-match interviews commenced. Klopp, always the animated presence in front of the cameras, was his usual exuberant self as he discussed the game.

"What a match! What an incredible fight from both teams!" Klopp said, his eyes wide with enthusiasm as he spoke to the media.

"We knew City would come at us in the second half. They are a world-class team, and they showed that today. But we stayed strong. It wasn't easy, but I'm so proud of my boys. They fought for every ball, and in the end, we deserved the win. That last-minute goal from Sturridge was special. Zachary, Mane, Salah—all of them—just brilliant."

When asked about the significance of the win and Liverpool's unbeaten run, Klopp's smile grew even wider. "It's a great feeling to be top of the table. But let's be clear: this is just the start. Eight games in, we have a long, long way to go. But yes, we'll enjoy this moment. Our fans deserve it."

On the other side, Pep Guardiola was equally composed, though there was a clear sense of disappointment in his tone. "It's always tough to lose, especially in a game like this. We made mistakes in the first half, and when you're up against a team like Liverpool, they punish you for those mistakes. In the second half, we responded well, and I think we showed our quality. But that's football. Sometimes, even when you play well, things don't go your way."

When asked about Zachary's performance, Guardiola was full of praise. "Zachary is an exceptional player. We knew he'd be a threat, and today he showed exactly why he's considered one of the best midfielders in the world right now. He controls the game, he has vision, and when the game opens up, he can hurt you. Liverpool are lucky to have him."

-----

Meanwhile, as the match concluded and the players began to leave the stadium, the post-match analysis show kicked off with the usual cast of pundits discussing the significance of Liverpool's win.

Former Premier League players Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher were seated in the studio, breaking down the tactical nuances of the match.

"What a performance from Liverpool," Carragher began, a broad grin on his face. "This team is something special. Klopp has them playing with such intensity, and to beat City in a game like that takes some serious guts. They've got everything this season—pace, power, creativity—and Zachary Bemba, my word, what a player he's become. He's pulling the strings in midfield even better than prime Steven Gerrard."

Gary Neville, seated beside him, nodded in agreement. "It's difficult to argue with that. As much as it pains me to see Liverpool doing this well, they're the real deal. That last goal? The way they broke forward so quickly—it was classic Klopp football. And you have to give credit to Sturridge for the finish, but the build-up was all about Zachary. He's a special talent."

"And City?" Carragher added, "You can't count them out. Pep's got them playing some unbelievable football, but today Liverpool had the edge. This title race is going to be something else."

-----

As the post-match activities wound down, the Liverpool squad returned to Melwood, their training ground, to part ways before heading home. Zachary sat quietly on the bus, feeling the weight of exhaustion beginning to settle in. It had been a grueling game, but the sweet taste of victory made it all worth it.

The bus ride to Melwood was enjoyable. Players joked, shared stories about key moments in the match, and savored the thrill of victory. Roberto Firmino, sitting next to Zachary, leaned over with a grin.

"That last counterattack? Pure magic. They didn't see it coming."

Zachary smiled, still riding the high of the match. "It was all about timing. We made the runs, and everything just fell into place."

When they arrived at Melwood, the players said their goodbyes and returned to their homes for some much-needed rest. Zachary drove back to his mansion in Woolton, his thoughts drifting between the game and the future challenges ahead. He arrived home, freshened up, and slid into bed, exhaustion finally taking over as he drifted into a deep sleep.

The following morning, Zachary woke up later than usual. It was a well-deserved rest, given the physical toll of the previous day's match.

He stretched his limbs, feeling the familiar ache of a battle well-fought, before heading downstairs to grab a simple breakfast.

The house was quiet, a stark contrast to the intensity of Anfield just the day before. Zachary spent his morning lounging, allowing his body to recover before heading to Melwood for some post-match recovery work.

As it was a day off from training, there was no pressure, but he wanted to make sure he maintained his fitness and aided his recovery using the club's top-notch facilities.

When Zachary arrived at Melwood, however, he noticed something odd. His teammates were all smiles, and there was an unusual buzz of excitement in the air. As he made his way toward the training ground, several of the coaches congratulated him, though they didn't specify why.

Roberto Firmino caught up with him in the hallway, a wide grin plastered on his face. "Congratulations, amigo! Looks like you're in for a big one!"

Zachary raised an eyebrow, confused. "What are you talking about?"

Firmino's grin widened. "You haven't heard yet? You're on the Ballon d'Or shortlist, man! You and the usual suspects—Salah, Mane, me, and a few others. But you, my friend, are one of the favorites."

Zachary paused, letting the news sink in. Of course, he had expected to be on the shortlist after a stellar year with Juventus, Ivory Coast, and now Liverpool, but hearing it confirmed still gave him a surge of pride.

He had helped Juventus win both the Serie A and the Champions League before leading Ivory Coast to World Cup glory. His current performances for Liverpool were only the icing on the cake.

"That's incredible," Zachary replied, a humble smile forming on his lips. "But I wouldn't be here without my teammates. It's always a team effort to put up great performances and win trophies."

"Come on, man! You've been on fire all year. You deserve it," Firmino said, patting him on the back. "But it's not just you. The club's got four of us on the list. Salah, Mane, me, and now you. Liverpool's dominating this year."

Zachary nodded, feeling a deep sense of pride. The recognition was well-deserved, not just for him, but for the entire team. They had been playing some of the best football in Europe, and the Ballon d'Or shortlist was a testament to their collective brilliance.

As Zachary made his way toward the recovery facilities, the reality of the situation hit him.

He had been nominated for football's highest individual honor, an award that every player dreamed of winning. But even though the recognition was incredible, Zachary wasn't about to lose focus. He knew that to maintain his level, he needed to keep working hard, keep pushing himself to improve.