THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME-Chapter 712: A Day of Football and Love

The next few days flashed by quickly, and it was soon Saturday, October 27th, 2018, the day for Liverpool’s next game.

As was always the case on match days, the city was already vibrant with the familiar energy of a Premier League match day, even early that morning. The usual anticipation was heightened by Liverpool’s unbeaten run, and the prospect of another victory at home filled the red-clad supporters with renewed hope and excitement.

For Zachary, though, today wasn’t just about football. Reason being: After partaking in Liverpool’s Premier League fixture against Cardiff City, he would have to dash off to London to attend the wedding reception of his agent, Emily Anderson.

It was set to be one of those busy days that included a game of football at the highest level followed by a celebration of personal connection. Zachary, though, was up for the challenge.

Over the years, he had learned how to handle the tight schedules that came with his career, and today, was no different. Everything was planned to perfection, and even his suit, prepared by his hired stylist, had already been sent ahead to London. Aside from that, a private jet awaited to whisk him to the wedding reception immediately after Liverpool’s game.

With everything arranged, Zachary was his usual calm and composed self as he prepared for the events ahead. As usual, he began his day at with a light breakfast, followed by light stretches, and then going through a final mental preparation for the match.

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The added pressure of attending a wedding after the game didn’t faze him. His mind was for the moment locked on Anfield and the 3:00 PM kick-off against Cardiff City. They had to keep their perfect start to the season intact, and he had to ensure that he did his part.

As the clock struck 11:00 AM, he made his way to Melwood, and unsurprisingly, he found the atmosphere relaxed yet focused.

The team had just put on a dominant display against Crvena Zvezda midweek, beating the Serbian champions 5-0 in the Champions League. Confidence was sky-high around the club, but Klopp, as usual, was ensuring that no one got too comfortable.

"We are doing well so far, lads," Klopp said with a calm but intense demeanor during the pre-match tactical meeting at Melwood. "Top of the league, unbeaten—this is good. But remember, it means nothing if we don’t continue pushing ourselves."

"Today, Cardiff will come here with one goal: to frustrate us, to sit deep, to kill the space. We’ve seen it before. They’ll likely play with four at the back, but with a packed midfield to kill off the central spaces. And make no mistake, they’ll be quite physical. All that’s fine. It’s part of the game. But we have to rise above that and keep our heads."

He paused and glanced around the room. "This is where our patience and our discipline will be crucial. We can’t rush it. We can’t force anything. When they sit back, we only have to break them down patiently. We keep moving the ball, shift their block, and don’t let them settle. We’ve been working on that all season: quick transitions, one-touch passing, overlapping runs. That’s how we break their lines."

Klopp’s voice then became more energized, his fists clenched as he spoke. "But lads, don’t forget—if they make one mistake, just one, we have to punish them immediately and swiftly. We must be ruthless in those moments. We have the quality. We have the players to make things happen. All that aside, the counter-press will be vital in those rare moments when we are off the ball. As soon as we lose possesion, boom—we swarm them and win it back high up the pitch. That’s our DNA."

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He gestured toward the likes of Salah, Mané, Zachary, and Firmino. "We’ve got the pace, the creativity, and the energy. But it’s not just about them—everyone has a role to play in this game. Every pass, every tackle, every press counts. The fans will be behind us as this is Anfield. Let’s make sure Cardiff feel that from the first whistle."

Zachary, alongside his teammates, was locked into Klopp’s speech. The focus was clear— do your best to obtain another three points, no matter the opposition. Cardiff City, under Coach Neil Warnock, would be a physical side, but Liverpool’s quality and movement would overwhelm them if they stuck to the plan.

After the tactical meeting, the players enjoyed some nutritious lunch before spending the last few minutes making their final preparations for the game. Then, at around 1:30 PM, they headed to Anfield on the team bus, feeling eager to take on the Cardiff side. Their mission was clear, and nothing else mattered to Zachary and his teammates at the moment.

The proceedings moved forward quickly, and then, at 3:00 PM, the referee blew the whistle. The match kicked off, and as expected, Cardiff City immediately dropped deep, setting up a wall of defenders and inviting Liverpool to try and break them down.

Neil Warnock had clearly set his side up to frustrate Liverpool, and for the first 20 minutes, Cardiff managed to keep the Reds at bay, defending with discipline.

But Zachary and his teammates knew how to deal with defensive blocks like this. It was all about patience and relentless but clever movement.

Zachary was his usual self during the game. He controlled the tempo from midfield, keeping Cardiff chasing shadows as Liverpool probed for an opening. His intricate passes stretched the opposition’s defense, switching play from side to side, and his quick give-and-go combinations with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah constantly tested Cardiff’s defensive shape.

The other Liverpool players also did their part, allowing Liverpool to firmly dominate possession during the opening minutes. But even with all the authority over the game, they still couldn’t get a breakthrough until the 23rd minute, when Cardiff seemed to switch off for a moment.

Zachary immediately felt the lapse in concentration of the opponents. And having just received the ball in midfield, he raised his head and immediately spotted Trent Alexander-Arnold making a darting run down the right wing.

What followed was then straight forward. Zachary’s immediately unleashed a weighted pass, slicing through Cardiff’s defense and finding the unmarked space on the right wing. Alexander-Arnold also didn’t disappoint, and immediately controlled the ball in one fluid motion before whipping a low cross into the box.

A defender tried to intercept the ball, but it ended up ricocheting off his thigh before descending towards the unmarked pocket of space on the left side of the box. Mohamed Salah, who was lurking nearby, immediately pounced on the opportunity and smashed the ball into the net.

1-0 Liverpool.

The Kop erupted, and Zachary allowed himself a brief smile as he high-fived Salah during the celebrations. This was the first crack in Cardiff’s defense, and Zachary knew that once the floodgates opened, Liverpool would take full control.

With the lead now secured, Liverpool continued to dominate. Zachary played his midfield role to perfection, orchestrating the game from deep, always looking for ways to break down Cardiff’s defense. His vision and passing range were on full display, as he switched the ball from side to side, constantly testing Cardiff’s resolve.

Then, in the 40th minute, Liverpool struck again. This time, it was a lightning-quick counter-attack started by Andrew Robertson. Zachary, once again at the heart of the play, sent Robertson on his way with a perfectly timed pass. The Scottish left-back surged forward and sent a driven cross into the box, where Sadio Mane met it with a powerful header, sending the ball past the Cardiff goalkeeper.

2-0 Liverpool.

Soon enough, the first half ended but the game felt like a done deal. Cardiff had shown little going forward, and Liverpool were in complete control.

The second half then began with more of the same tempo. Cardiff, desperate to avoid further damage, sat even deeper, but it was only a matter of time before Liverpool found another breakthrough. Zachary was everywhere—covering ground, winning back possession, and always looking for that killer pass.

Zachary’s efforts soon proved fruitful, and in the 60th minute, he was again in the thick of things. After receiving the ball just outside Cardiff’s box, he feinted left, leaving two defenders flat-footed, and then slipped a perfectly weighted pass through to Roberto Firmino, who had made a clever diagonal run into the box. Firmino took one touch to control the ball before calmly slotting it past the goalkeeper.

3-0 Liverpool.

Anfield was vibrant with cheers and celebration, and the names of the Liverpool players were repeatedly ringing out from the stands. They had been exceptional all afternoon, and with each passing game, they were overpowering opponent after opponent.

As the game entered its final stages, Zachary capped off his performance with another assist. In the 78th minute, he intercepted a loose Cardiff pass and immediately launched a counter-attack, sending the ball down the right to Mohamed Salah.

Salah sprinted forward, cutting inside before laying the ball off to Sadio Mane at the edge of the box. Mane then curled a stunning shot into the far corner, sealing yet another Liverpool victory.

4-0 Liverpool.

The final whistle blew soon after, and Liverpool had secured yet another dominant victory. Zachary had been instrumental, with two assists and a commanding performance in midfield. The win kept Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table with a perfect 30 points from 10 games.

With the game over, the Liverpool players began their celebrations and post-match routines which could stretch on for another hour or two. However, Zachary was already focused on the next event of the day. He quickly showered, dressed in a casual tracksuit, and grabbed his bag. He had to make it to John Lennon Airport within the hour to catch the private jet that would take him to London.

"Off somewhere fancy? Why the rush?" asked Virgil van Dijk as Zachary zipped up his bag.

"Wedding in London, mate. Gotta be quick about it," Zachary replied with a grin, fist-bumping his teammate before heading out.

The car ride to the airport was swift, and Zachary’s mind briefly drifted to the reception ahead. From what he had heard from Kristin, Emily had kept things low-key, opting for a private affair away from the media’s prying eyes. The venue was Drapers’ Hall, a historic building in the heart of London, known for its elegance and charm. Apparently, it was the perfect choice for a classy yet intimate wedding.

The private jet cut the travel time significantly, and soon enough, Zachary found himself soaring over the glittering lights of London. He liked the city’s vibrant energy, although he had visited it only a couple of times. There was something about the mix of old-world charm and modern life that had captivated him.

By the time Zachary arrived at Drapers’ Hall, it was just past 7:30 PM, and the reception was in full swing. The hall, with its grand high ceilings, marble floors, and ornate chandeliers, was already lively with the soft murmur of conversations. The guests were dressed elegantly and mingling under the golden lights, sipping champagne and enjoying the atmosphere.

Zachary, however, was about to make his entrance.

Dressed in a tailored midnight blue suit, Zachary looked nothing short of dashing. The suit, perfectly fitted to his tall, athletic 6’4" frame, accentuated his broad shoulders and lean build. His light brown skin glowed under the soft lighting, and his neatly tied back locs added a touch of suave sophistication. A crisp white shirt, slim black tie, and polished black shoes completed the look.

As he stepped into the room, conversations momentarily faltered, and heads turned. Zachary was used to being in the public eye, and he wasn’t surprised that even in an intimate setting like this, his presence commanded attention. He could see a few familiar faces among the guests stealing glances at him, some whispering excitedly as they recognized the football star.

He smiled politely, acknowledging the nods and waves as he made his way through the room, looking for Emily.