The Greatest of all Time

Chapter 693  The Drive for Greatness and Match Day Anticipation

The schedule for Zachary and his teammates intensified over the next three days as they prepared for Liverpool's next game, a home match against Brighton & Hove Albion. Zachary, determined to maintain his stellar form, dove headfirst into the intense training regimen.

His days always started early, at around 6:00 AM. Each morning, he rolled out his yoga mat in the serene ambiance of his spacious bedroom in Woolton. He would go through his yoga routine, stretching the muscles still sore from the previous day's exertions. Afterward, he would enjoy a light but nutritious breakfast before heading to Anfield.

The training sessions under Jürgen Klopp were grueling but invigorating. Klopp's relentless drive and passion for the game were always infectious. The team repeatedly worked on quick passing drills, focusing on reducing touches and increasing the pace of their play.

Throughout the training sessions over the three days, Klopp emphasized the importance of movement off the ball, instructing players like Georginio Wijnaldum, Naby Keita, and Jordan Henderson to create more space and provide options for the ball carrier. He also pushed the full-backs, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson, to stretch the opposition's defense with overlapping runs.

Following the field sessions, Zachary would head to the gym for strength and conditioning under the watchful eye of Andreas Kornmayer, Liverpool's head of fitness and conditioning. Kornmayer's sessions were meticulously planned to maintain and enhance the players' physical resilience. Zachary continued working on various exercises, from weightlifting to plyometrics, designed to build explosive power and stamina.

In the afternoons, Zachary would attend one-on-one video sessions with the club's analysts. They meticulously reviewed his past performances, breaking down every movement, pass, and shot. The analysts provided insights and pointed out areas for improvement, helping Zachary refine his game further.

Driven by his ambition to become one of football's greats, Zachary would also avail extra time for personalized training. After the regular practice sessions in the evening, he would stay back on the turfs to practice free-kicks and other individual skills. The quiet solitude of the empty training ground allowed him to focus entirely on honing his technique to unbelievable levels.

Dinner at Melwood was always a welcome reprieve, offering a chance to refuel with dishes like baked chicken breast, sweet potato mash, and plenty of vegetables. The camaraderie among teammates during these meals helped strengthen their bond. Then, by 9:30 PM, Zachary would return to his mansion, ready to rest and recharge for the next day.

The three days passed just like that, and before he knew it, Friday arrived, bringing a much-needed rest day for the team. But even then, Zachary didn't waste his time. With Liverpool's match against Brighton just a day away, he spent Friday morning at Melwood doing more personalized training and going through physiotherapy sessions to ensure his body was in peak condition.

The hours flew by, and only after finishing his lunch did Zachary decide to rest in the player lounge. But just as he was leaving the cafeteria, his phone buzzed with a call from Kristin, his PA.

"Hi, Zachary," Kristin's cheerful voice came through. "I've finished organizing everything. The paperwork is done, and I'll begin transferring your important items, like your medals and accolades, to Liverpool tomorrow. I'm coordinating with Ray, and we should be able to handle everything without any challenges."

Zachary felt a wave of relief and gratitude. "Thank you, Kristin. You've been amazing. I'll take you out to properly express my gratitude when you return to Liverpool."

Kristin laughed lightly. "I'll hold you to that. Oh... and I've spoken to my grandfather about your intention to build an academy on your grandmother's property. He's on board and even promised to contribute financially. We can start planning the project and bring in the stakeholders from Bukavu as soon as you're ready."

"Thank you again, Kristin. You're a lifesaver," Zachary said, feeling a surge of excitement about the academy project. "Could you organize a proposal for the project and send it to me as soon as possible?"

"Of course," Kristin replied, her tone professional. "I'll get started on it right away."

The conversation then turned to Zachary's experience in Liverpool, from settling into his new mansion to bonding with his teammates. Throughout the call, Kristin's encouraging words fueled his confidence. Then, as they wrapped up, Kristin wished Zachary luck for the upcoming game against Brighton.

After ending the call, Zachary felt a surge of motivation. He realized that talking to Kristin had become something he genuinely looked forward to, and a bright smile lit up his face. Roberto Firmino, who was leaving the cafeteria, gave him a puzzled look and asked what had him grinning. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Zachary quickly regained his composure, mustering a solemn expression. "Just hyped for the game tomorrow," he replied. "Can't wait to take on Brighton."

Firmino nodded understandably. "I know the feeling all too well." They shared a laugh, silently acknowledging their mutual anticipation. They then headed to the player lounge area, ready to spend the rest of the afternoon together.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Zachary sat down to savor an early dinner that included succulent lean turkey, refreshing quinoa salad, and mouthwatering roasted vegetables. While enjoying this feast, he shared laughs and stories with his teammates, deepening their bond through mutual goals.

By 6:30 PM, he bid farewell to the last few players at Melwood, feeling the excitement and anticipation for the upcoming big game.

Since he didn't have his own car yet, Ray kindly offered him a ride back to his mansion again. During the journey, they engaged in light-hearted conversation, with Ray regaling him with amusing anecdotes about Liverpool's rich history and passionate fanbase.

Zachary arrived home by 7:15 PM and settled in for a relaxing evening. He indulged in his favorite sports manga, occasionally sipping orange juice and savoring nutritious snacks.

Time flew by, and as 9:30 PM approached, Zachary's phone buzzed with a message from Klopp: "Rest early, lads. Be ready for tomorrow."

Zachary smiled, marveling at how seriously Klopp took his job, even reminding his players to rest early on the nights before match days. Feeling a surge of anticipation for the game, he began centering himself by recalling some of the tactics he had honed with his teammates over the past few days.

With a focused mind, Zachary headed to the bathroom and took a quick shower, letting the warm water relax his muscles and clear his thoughts. He replayed Klopp's tactical advice, visualizing the passes, movements, and strategies they had practiced. His mind buzzed with the anticipation of executing those plans on the field.

After drying himself off, Zachary jumped into bed, feeling relaxed and invigorated. As he settled under the covers, he closed his eyes, allowing the calmness to wash over him. With the thought of playing under the enthusiastic Anfield crowd, he let sleep carry him into dreams of victory.

The night passed uneventfully, and morning arrived. Zachary woke up late, savoring the rare chance to sleep in.

He followed his usual morning routine, including a gentle yoga session to stretch his muscles, a nutritious breakfast of oatmeal with fresh berries and a protein shake, and freshening up with a long, hot shower. The routine helped him focus and shake off any lingering grogginess.

He then spent the rest of the morning lounging at home, reading a book, and occasionally glancing at his phone to check the latest sports news. The tranquility of his new mansion in Woolton, with its expansive rooms and serene ambiance, made for a perfect pre-match retreat.

At around midday, Ray arrived to drive him to Melwood. Zachary appreciated Ray's company, especially his easygoing nature and wealth of stories about Liverpool that always lightened the mood. The drive through Liverpool was smooth, the city buzzing with the anticipation of match day.

When they arrived at Melwood, Zachary was greeted by the familiar buzz of activity. Inside, the atmosphere was charged with the usual pre-match excitement. Zachary joined his teammates for lunch, the camaraderie evident as they shared light-hearted banter and discussed the upcoming match. The meal was carefully prepared to provide optimal nutrition: grilled turkey breast, sweet potato mash, and plenty of roasted vegetables.

When they arrived at Melwood, Zachary was greeted by the familiar buzz of activity. Inside, the atmosphere was charged with the usual pre-match excitement. Zachary joined his teammates for lunch, the camaraderie evident as they shared light-hearted banter and discussed the upcoming match. The meal was carefully prepared to provide optimal nutrition: grilled turkey breast, sweet potato mash, and plenty of roasted vegetables.

After lunch, the team headed to the tactics room for Klopp's pre-match address. The room was filled with the hum of anticipation as the players took their seats, their attention focused on the large screen at the front.

Klopp entered, his presence commanding respect and attention. He greeted the players with a broad smile, his energy infectious.

"Alright, lads," he began, his voice carrying a mix of warmth and authority. "Today we face Brighton. They've shown they can be a tough side, so we need to be at our best. Before we delve into the tactics, let's look at the starting line-up."

He clicked a remote, and the line-up appeared on the screen. Zachary's heart raced as he scanned the list, and a wave of excitement washed over him when he saw his name in the starting eleven. This would be his first start for Liverpool.

Klopp continued, "Congratulations to those starting today. Zachary, you've earned your spot. Let's make the most of it."

Zachary nodded, a mix of pride and determination surging through him. He observed the line-ups and noted that they would shape up in Liverpool's custom 4-3-3 formation, with him partnering with James Milner and Georginio Wijnaldum in midfield. His hopes soared as he started visualizing how he would fit into the squad, picturing the fluid movements and intricate passes that would characterize their play.