Chapter 706 The Sweet Taste of Victory

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."

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.