THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
chapter-701

By the time the Liverpool squad touched down at John Lennon Airport on Thursday morning, the adrenaline from their hard-fought 2-1 victory over Napoli had already begun to fade.

The journey back from Naples had been quiet and businesslike, the players fully aware that their Champions League triumph was now part of history. The road ahead was even tougher—Manchester City awaited them at Anfield on Sunday.

As soon as they returned to Liverpool, the real work began.

The next three days would be critical. Manchester City wasn't just another Premier League team. They were the reigning champions, a well-oiled machine under Pep Guardiola, and arguably Liverpool's biggest threat to Premier League glory. With just two points separating them at the top of the table, the game at Anfield would set the tone for the season to come.

Thursday's training session at Melwood was intense. Jürgen Klopp, always animated, was more focused than usual, his energy crackling in every word he delivered.

Zachary Bemba, already in his training gear, was among the first to hit the pitch, his mind locked on the task ahead. There was little time to dwell on the success in Naples. City's visit loomed large, and he could feel the weight of the upcoming clash pressing down on him.

The drills were sharp, designed to tighten the press that had become Liverpool's trademark.

Klopp and his assistants pushed the team hard, ensuring that every player knew their role. They practiced the high press relentlessly, focusing on the transitions from defense to attack.

City, with their slick passing and fluid movement, would try to dominate possession, but Klopp had no intention of letting them settle into their rhythm.

Zachary was in the thick of it. His role, as always, was to link midfield and attack, to exploit any gaps that City's defense might leave behind. Klopp emphasized how vital it would be to press high and disrupt Kevin De Bruyne's influence in midfield. The Belgian was City's conductor, and stopping him meant stopping City.

By Friday, the intensity had ratcheted up even further. Klopp held extended tactical meetings, using every tool at his disposal to prepare his players for the test ahead. The match would be more than just a physical battle—it would be a tactical chess match between two of football's greatest minds: Klopp and Guardiola.

"City will press high, but we're better at it," Klopp said, pacing around the tactical board as his players sat in silence. "De Bruyne is key for them, but we have the weapons to hurt them. Zachary, Gini, Henderson—you'll need to close him down early. Don't let him find space."

Zachary nodded, fully focused. He knew his role inside out. His recent form had made him one of the Premier League's most dangerous players, but he was never one to rest on his laurels. He thrived on challenges, and Sunday would be the ultimate test.

Saturday passed in a blur of final preparations. The tactical sessions were shorter, but no less intense. Klopp drilled his instructions into every player, and by the evening, the squad was ready. It was only when Zachary returned to his home in Woolton, just after 5:30 PM, that he finally had a moment to himself.

The evening felt eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the intensity of Melwood.

After showering, Zachary made his way to the living room, settling into the familiar comfort of his sofa. The weight of the upcoming match pressed on his mind, but he tried to relax, flicking through channels on the television.

His attention soon fell on the Manchester United vs. Newcastle United game. The rivalry between Liverpool and United had always added an extra dimension to watching their games, but Zachary's thoughts were elsewhere.

His eyes were on the screen, but his mind was on City. The way they moved, the way they controlled games, the way De Bruyne could cut defenses open with a single pass. He couldn't help but imagine what the battle would be like on the Anfield pitch the next day.

When the match ended, Zachary switched to the late Premier League show, which was dedicated almost entirely to previewing Liverpool's upcoming clash with Manchester City. He leaned forward, watching intently as the pundits dissected the match from every angle.

"Tomorrow's game at Anfield is shaping up to be the biggest of the season so far," one of the pundits declared. "Liverpool are sitting top of the table with a perfect seven wins from seven. But City are right behind them, two points adrift. A win for Pep Guardiola's men, and they'll leapfrog Liverpool to take first place."

The camera panned to another pundit, a former Premier League midfielder. "Liverpool have been relentless so far. Salah, Mane, and Firmino are back to their best, but the player who's really stood out for me is Zachary Bemba. Eight Premier League goals already, and it's not just the goals—he's been the link between midfield and attack, providing that extra dimension to Klopp's side. City will need to find a way to stop him."

Zachary smirked as he listened to the analysis. He'd always been humble about his own abilities, but the acknowledgment from pundits only added fuel to the fire burning within him.

The pressure was mounting, but he thrived on it.

The program shifted its focus to Manchester City's style of play, with clips of their recent matches showing how De Bruyne and David Silva orchestrated their attacking moves.

"City will dominate possession tomorrow," the pundit continued. "But the key will be whether they can break down Liverpool's press. Last season, Klopp's high press caused City all sorts of problems, especially at Anfield. This is going to be a real tactical battle between two of the best managers in the game."

As the preview ended, Zachary leaned back on the sofa, his mind racing through the various tactical scenarios.

He visualized himself on the pitch, breaking up City's attacks, threading passes to Salah and Mane, and striking when the opportunity presented itself. He had been in fine form all season, but this match would require something extra.

After dinner, Zachary spent the rest of the evening unwinding, trying to put the game to the back of his mind.

But it wasn't easy. The gravity of the situation was impossible to ignore. The entire football world would be watching. He had played in big games before, but this one had the feel of a title decider, even though it was only October.

As the clock ticked closer to 10:00 PM, Zachary decided it was time to call it a night. He needed to be well-rested for what lay ahead. After brushing his teeth and changing into his nightwear, he slipped into bed, staring at the ceiling as the thoughts continued to whirl around his mind.

He thought of the roar of the Kop, the deafening noise that would greet City as they walked onto the Anfield turf. He thought of Guardiola, pacing on the touchline, urging his team forward, and Klopp, with his trademark fist pumps, whipping the crowd into a frenzy. He could see De Bruyne floating in between the lines, trying to carve open Liverpool's defense. He could picture Salah and Mane breaking at lightning speed, terrorizing City's backline.

Zachary closed his eyes, willing himself to sleep. He had done all he could to prepare. Tomorrow, it would all be about execution. The work had been done on the training pitch—now it was time to make it count.

Sunday, 7th October, then dawned with a cool breeze sweeping over Liverpool. The city buzzed with anticipation as the clock ticked down to the biggest match of the season so far. Kick-off was set for 4:30 PM, and the entire footballing world had its eyes on Anfield.

Zachary arrived at Melwood just after 9:00 AM, greeted by the familiar sight of his teammates already preparing for the day.

The morning was calm, allowing the players time to mentally prepare, relax, and focus on the task ahead. Some players listened to music, others stretched, and a few went through light training to keep themselves loose.

Zachary, always one for quiet reflection, spent the morning in solitude. He stretched in one of the smaller rooms at the training facility, mentally replaying the instructions Klopp had given.

He visualized himself on the pitch, pressing De Bruyne, threading passes to Mane and Salah, and keeping City's midfield under control. The stakes were high, but Zachary thrived in moments like these.

At lunchtime, the team gathered for a meal, but there was little talk of the game. The air was thick with unspoken anticipation. Each player knew their role, and there was no need for overanalysis. By now, everything that needed to be said had been said. It was simply about execution.

By 2:30 PM, the team bus was ready to depart from Melwood to Anfield. The journey was a short one, but it was a crucial part of the pre-match ritual. The bus ride allowed the players to mentally transition from the calm of the morning to the intensity of match day.

As the bus wound through the streets of Liverpool, Zachary glanced out the window, watching the sea of red scarves, flags, and banners that lined the streets leading up to Anfield. The city was alive with anticipation.

The fans knew what was at stake, and the players could feel their energy.

The iconic sight of Anfield soon came into view, towering over the neighborhood like a fortress. The streets were packed with fans, waving and chanting, their belief palpable. Anfield was a fortress, and today, it would be their greatest weapon.