THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME-Chapter 720: The Marathon of Greatness

After beating Arsenal away from home, Liverpool Football Club was currently sitting proudly atop the Premier League table, their blistering start to the 2018 season leaving rivals in their wake.

With 33 points from 11 matches, Klopp's men were six points clear of second-placed Manchester City. The Reds hadn't just avoided defeat—they had won every single game in the Premier League, Champions League, and EFL Cup.

It was the kind of start that made fans dare to dream, evoking memories of the club's glory days. Their dominance was no accident. Every win was forged through meticulous preparation, relentless pressing, and moments of sheer brilliance.

Many of those brilliant on-pitch moments were supplied by Zachary Bemba. The 23-year-old phenomenon had taken the Premier League by storm. Since arriving from Juventus in the summer, Zachary had scored 15 goals across all competitions—11 in the Premier League, one in the EFL Cup, and three in Europe.

Zachary had also assisted several more. His lethal finishing, mesmerizing footwork, and knack for delivering in crucial moments had already endeared him to the Anfield faithful. Beyond the numbers, it was his humility and commitment to the team that stood out.

Zachary's life at Liverpool was a picture of discipline and focus. He had long settled into the rhythm of Klopp's demanding regime, embracing the rigorous training sessions at Melwood. Even after scoring a brace against Arsenal, he didn't rest on his laurels.

He began his post-match recovery routine the following morning before quickly joining his teammates to start preparations for Tuesday night's Champions League away match against Crvena Zvezda.

Whether it was fine-tuning his free kicks with assistant coach Pep Lijnders or discussing positioning with Klopp, Zachary was committed to improving every facet of his game. Monday evening even found him at Melwood, reviewing Crvena Zvezda's match footage with a notepad in hand, jotting down observations to discuss with coaches or teammates.

But he wasn't alone in his quest for glory. His teammates were also doing their best to prepare for the upcoming game.

Tuesday, 16th November 2018, soon arrived, and their preparations were tested in the cauldron of Rajko Mitić Stadium in Belgrade, where Liverpool faced Crvena Zvezda in the Champions League.

The Serbian champions, buoyed by their fervent supporters, pressed with energy and purpose from the very start. Klopp, mindful of the team's packed schedule, had opted to rest key players, including Salah, Mané, and Zachary, starting with a rotated lineup. Thus, from the early minutes, it had been clear that Liverpool missed the cutting edge their rested stars provided.

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Crvena Zvezda, fueled by the energy of their supporters, continuously pressed high and played with fearless intensity. Their efforts eventually paid off, and early in the second half, they capitalized on a rare defensive lapse to take a 1-0 lead, sending the home fans into raptures.

Fortunately, Klopp reacted soon enough and turned to his bench, bringing on Salah and Zachary in the 60th minute.

The impact was almost immediate. Zachary, deployed in the midfield, began tormenting defenders with his quick feet and precise passing. Salah, drifting between the lines, created pockets of space for others to exploit.

And finally, in the 77th minute, Liverpool found their breakthrough. Zachary glided past two defenders and delivered a precise pass to Salah, who made no mistake from 12 yards. The equalizer silenced the home crowd and energized Liverpool, who continued pushing for a winner.

In stoppage time, Zachary unleashed a curling shot from the edge of the box that nestled into the net—only for the flag to go up for offside. It was a marginal call, and Liverpool had to settle for a point.

The draw left Liverpool still leading Group C, but with PSG breathing down their necks, every point was vital. The result also served as a reminder that even the best teams couldn't rest on their laurels.

Back in Liverpool, the team refocused on the Premier League, preparing to face Fulham at Anfield.

Under Klopp's watchful eye, training sessions leading up to the match were intense. Zachary spent hours refining his link-up play with Salah and Mané, while Klopp drilled the team on tactical scenarios.

By matchday, Liverpool were razor-sharp, and Anfield was soon bustling as the Reds dominated Fulham from the first whistle. Salah opened the scoring in the 27th minute, racing onto a pinpoint pass from Shaqiri and finishing with aplomb.

Early in the second half, Zachary doubled the lead with a moment of brilliance. Chesting down a lofted ball from Alisson, he dinked it over the onrushing goalkeeper with a touch of finesse that drew roars from the Kop. Shaqiri added a third, curling a shot into the top corner to cap a dominant performance.

The victory extended Liverpool's lead at the top of the Premier League table to eight points. For Zachary, it was another standout performance, taking his tally to 12 goals in the league and 16 in all competitions. However, there was little time to celebrate as the international break beckoned. Zachary boarded a flight to West Africa to join Ivory Coast for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea.

The Stade du 28 Septembre in Conakry was explosive, with Guinean fans creating an intimidating atmosphere. Guinea struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the 35th minute, but Ivory Coast responded with unwavering determination.

Zachary delivered the equalizer early in the second half, cutting inside from the left and curling a shot into the far corner. His celebration, marked by a fist pump and a roar, reflected his passion for representing his country. Ivory Coast then found a winner in the 78th minute to secure a 2-1 victory and qualification for the AFCON.

Zachary returned to Liverpool brimming with confidence but aware of the grueling schedule ahead.

Next was an away trip to Vicarage Road to face Watford. Liverpool controlled the game from start to finish, with Firmino opening the scoring in the 18th minute. Zachary added a second just before halftime, smashing a first-time volley into the roof of the net. A late penalty from Milner sealed another 3-0 victory, maintaining Liverpool's unbeaten record and keeping them firmly atop the table.

But the toughest test of the month awaited them in Paris. The Parc des Princes was electric as PSG hosted Liverpool in a Champions League clash.

The French giants started brightly, with Neymar and Mbappé causing problems for Liverpool's defense. Neymar's stunning solo goal gave PSG an early lead, but Liverpool struck back in the 27th minute through Zachary, who intercepted a pass in midfield and rifled a low shot past Buffon.

The game ebbed and flowed, with PSG regaining the lead through Mbappé early in the second half. Liverpool responded with Salah's equalizer in the 68th minute, and Zachary delivered the decisive blow in the 80th minute. Controlling a lofted pass from van Dijk, he danced past two defenders and slotted home to secure a 3-2 victory.

The Merseyside Derby at Anfield then capped off a memorable month. Liverpool dominated their city rivals, with Mané opening the scoring on a counterattack and Salah doubling the lead shortly after. Zachary put the icing on the cake in the 80th minute, curling a long-range effort into the top corner to seal a 3-0 win.

As the players celebrated on the pitch, Zachary's thoughts turned to the next chapter. In less than 24 hours, he would be in Paris, representing himself and Liverpool at the Ballon d'Or ceremony. He was really looking forward to the ceremony.