THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
chapter-680

680 First Team Training with The Reds

After the preseason friendly against Torino, the Liverpool team took two well-deserved days off to recover from their rigorous preseason schedule. This break meant Zachary still had to wait for a while longer before meeting his new teammates.

However, the upside was that Liverpool FC's player liaison officer, Ray Haughan, no longer interrupted his days with media engagements and formalities.

Zachary seized the opportunity to totally immerse himself in his conditioning training, focusing on high-intensity interval training and simulated match scenarios. His sessions with the club's nutritionist also continued, as the club aimed to keep his diet and recovery optimal as his training intensified.

Time passed swiftly, and Friday, August 10th, finally arrived. This day marked the return of the Liverpool players to training, with the Premier League season opener just two days away on the 12th.

Zachary woke up early, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation. He breezed through his morning routine—yoga, a shower, and a light breakfast. Just as he finished, Ray arrived at his new mansion in Woolton, ready to drive him to Melwood for his first official team training with Liverpool.

"Morning, Zachary! Ready for the big day?" Ray greeted him with a smile.

"Absolutely, Ray. I can't wait to meet everyone," Zachary replied, his enthusiasm sky-high.

Ray chuckled. "I can tell. Let's get you to Melwood, then."

They left Zachary's house and drove through the leafy streets of Woolton, heading towards Liverpool's training center. The journey took only about twenty minutes, with Ray providing Zachary with some last-minute insights about his new teammates and the training routines. As they pulled up to Melwood, Zachary's excitement surged.

Stepping out of the car, Zachary immediately noticed the difference in the atmosphere at Melwood. The training center buzzed with activity. Players and staff moved about with purpose, a sharp contrast to the quiet days he had spent there alone. The energy was infectious, and Zachary felt a renewed sense of determination.

As he walked towards the training facility, Zachary encountered some of his new teammates for the first time. Jordan Henderson, the team captain, was the first to approach him with a welcoming smile.

"Zachary, right? Welcome to Liverpool," Henderson said, extending his hand.

"Thanks, Jordan. It's an honor to be here," Zachary replied, shaking his hand firmly.

"Great to have you. How was the transition from Italy?" Henderson asked as they walked.

"It's been smooth so far. I really enjoyed my time in Turin. But I felt it was time for a new challenge. Liverpool feels like the right place for me," Zachary said.

Next, he met Roberto Firmino, whose broad smile and warm demeanor instantly put Zachary at ease. "Hey, Zachary! Looking forward to playing alongside you," Firmino said.

"Likewise, Roberto. I've heard great things about you," Zachary responded.

Firmino grinned. "I watched some of your World Cup games. You were incredible. Congratulations on winning it."

"Thank you! It was an unforgettable experience. I still can't believe we beat England in the semifinal," Zachary said, glancing at Henderson with a playful smile.

Henderson chuckled, seemingly not minding the hidden verbal jab. "Yeah, that was a tough match. You guys deserved it, though. Ivory Coast played brilliantly."

As they continued chatting, they eventually reached the locker room. Zachary paused for a moment, taking in his surroundings. The locker room was modern and spacious, with each player having a personalized area complete with their name, number, and gear neatly arranged. The room exuded a sense of history and pride, adorned with photos and memorabilia of Liverpool's glorious past.

Zachary found his locker, labeled with his name and the iconic number 8 jersey hanging inside. Smiling, he settled on one of the seats, ready to change into his training gear. But just then, he paused as several familiar faces, including Sadio Mané, Mohamed Salah, Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Georginio Wijnaldum, and Naby Keïta, arrived in a group.

Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah were the first to enter the dressing room. They did a double take upon seeing Zachary and whistled. "New arrival, new arrival!" Mané called out, grinning.

"Welcome, Zachary!" Salah added, extending his hand.

"Thanks, Sadio. Thanks, Mo. It's great to finally meet you guys," Zachary said, shaking their hands.

"We've all seen your skills. You're going to be an incredible addition to the team," Mané said.

"Absolutely. Winning the Champions League and the World Cup...And also being the top scorer and best player in all those competitions. We're lucky to have you," Salah added.

Zachary felt honored to meet African legends like Mané and Salah, whom he had only seen on the screen during his previous life. "Thank you. It means a lot coming from you guys. I'm really excited to be here and contribute."

The group continued chatting as they changed into their gear. Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Wijnaldum, and Keïta all greeted Zachary warmly, expressing their excitement about his arrival.

"Your World Cup campaign was amazing. How did it feel to win the Golden Boot and Golden Ball?" Wijnaldum asked.

"Everything from that night was like a blur. All I remember is what I felt after we won the World Cup. It was unlike anything I've ever experienced—even surpassing the thrill of clinching the Serie A and the Champions League titles at Juventus. As for the Golden Boot and Golden Ball, they were just the icing on the cake," Zachary replied.

"Although I haven't had the chance to lift the World Cup, I can only imagine," Alexander-Arnold said with a grin. "Winning a trophy of that magnitude must be mind-blowing. But you were incredible during the tournament, and we're looking forward to seeing those skills in action here."

"Thanks, Trent. I'm ready to give my all," Zachary said.

The players then continued chatting as they changed into their gear. The conversation shifted from the World Cup to Liverpool's training schedule and the upcoming season opener against West Ham United. The excitement for the new season was infectious, and Zachary felt a sense of camaraderie and Liverpool's typical fighting spirit already building.

Suddenly, Jürgen Klopp entered the locker room, accompanied by his assistant, Pepijn Lijnders. Klopp's presence commanded instant respect, and the room quickly fell silent. His energy was contagious, his eyes bright with enthusiasm as he faced his players.

"Good morning, everyone," Klopp began, his voice booming with a unique blend of warmth and authority. "I hope you're all feeling rested and ready. Before we get started, I want to take a moment to welcome our new signings properly. You've already met Naby Keïta, Fabinho, and Alisson during the preseason tour."

The players nodded and murmured their acknowledgments. Klopp continued, "Today, we also formally welcome Zachary Bemba to the squad. As many of you know, Zachary had an outstanding World Cup with Ivory Coast and has already shown his class by winning the Champions League twice with Juventus. Let's give him a warm Liverpool welcome."

The room erupted in applause and cheers. Zachary stood up, smiling broadly. "Thank you, Coach. Thank you everyone for the warm welcome. I'm excited to be here and looking forward to working with all of you," he said, addressing his new teammates.

Klopp nodded appreciatively. "Great to hear, Zachary. Now, let's talk about our preseason. We had some fantastic results against Manchester United, Napoli, and Torino. You all showed great spirit and teamwork. But now, it's time to switch our focus to what matters. It's time to prepare for the Premier League."

He paused, scanning the faces of his players. "Our first match is against West Ham in two days. We must be sharp, focused, and ready to give everything on the pitch. So, today's training will be crucial in setting the tone for our season. Let's get to work."

With that, Klopp clapped his hands, signaling the start of the session. The players made a beeline from the locker room, heading towards the training grounds.

Then, once everything and everyone was in place, the training began with warm-up drills led by fitness coach Andreas Kornmayer. Zachary seamlessly integrated into the routine, feeling the familiar burn of high-intensity exercise. He was excited to return to structured club training, pushing himself hard to prove his worth.

As the session transitioned into tactical drills, Klopp and his assistants closely monitored Zachary's every move. The team worked on pressing style and quick transitions, hallmarks of Klopp's strategy. Zachary remained composed and focused solely on following the coaches' instructions and keeping his play simple and effective.

But even then, Zachary's skills and adaptability were evident. He executed each drill deftly, showing an almost masterful familiarity with the tactics.

As the session progressed, he also began interacting more with his teammates, exchanging passes with Henderson, linking up with Firmino in attack, and working on set pieces with Mané and Salah. The chemistry was promising, and Zachary felt deep within his heart that he would make a great team with everyone when he finally stepped onto the field.

Another hour passed, and the training session finally came to an end. Klopp gathered the team for a brief address.

"Excellent work today, everyone," Klopp said, his voice filled with genuine appreciation. "I saw a lot of good things out there. Our movements off the ball were swift, and our passing precise. But remember, it's all about building on this every day. Keep this intensity, this focus, and we'll achieve great things this season."

The players nodded, feeling the weight of his words. "Now, rest up, recover well, and come back ready for another session in the afternoon," Klopp concluded.

Finally, the players were dismissed, and Zachary returned to the locker room with his new teammates. He was exhausted but exhilarated. The training had been intense, but he had held his own and felt that he had already started earning the respect of his new teammates and coaches.

As he settled back in the locker room, his mind raced to the next challenge. If he could keep up his performance during the afternoon and tomorrow's training, he could secure a spot in Liverpool's squad for the season opener against West Ham United. That was his goal for the moment.