Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 251: Liverpool Vs AZ Alkmaar

Chapter 251: Liverpool Vs AZ Alkmaar

Fweeeee!~

The whistle blew, and Anfield erupted.

Liverpool, in their iconic red, took the first touch, immediately shifting the ball around with crisp passes. AZ Alkmaar, in their white and navy, held their shape, pressing just enough to prevent an easy buildup.

Rob Townsend: [And we are underway! Liverpool attacking from left to right in the first half. Jamie, what should we be looking out for in these opening minutes?]

Jamie Carter: [Intensity. Liverpool will want to set the tone early, get AZ Alkmaar on the back foot. We’ve seen them start fast in these types of games, especially here at Anfield. Look for Gerrard to dictate things from midfield]

The ball zipped across the grass as Liverpool probed. Henderson received it in midfield, turned, and immediately played it wide to Johnson, who surged forward.

Rob Townsend: [Glen Johnson bombing down the right already. He’s got Sterling ahead of him—early signs of Liverpool’s attacking intent]

Johnson fed Sterling, who took a quick touch before darting past Gorter. The young winger looked up, then whipped in a low cross.

Viergever reacted first, stepping in to cut it out, but the ball deflected awkwardly. Altidore, tracking back to help, shielded it before clearing upfield.

Jamie Carter: [That’s a good sign for AZ Alkmaar. Viergever did well there, but they need to be careful. Give Sterling that space too often, and he’ll make them pay]

AZ Alkmaar looked to settle, working the ball around their midfield. Martens took control, scanning for options. Benjamin drifted inside, finding space between the lines. Martens spotted him and played a sharp pass.

Benjamin turned quickly, taking a touch past Lucas, before driving forward. The Liverpool midfield scrambled to close him down.

Rob Townsend: [Benjamin on the move! Lovely control there to escape Lucas—he’s got options ahead]

He spotted Berghuis making a diagonal run. With a quick flick, he threaded a pass between Agger and Enrique.

Berghuis latched onto it and swung in a cross toward Altidore. The striker muscled past Carragher, rising high.

He met it cleanly. The header flew toward goal.

Reina dived with his palms stretched out.

The ball smacked off his gloves, rebounding into the air. Henderson reacted first, clearing the danger.

Jamie Carter: [What a start from AZ Alkmaar! Benjamin showing his quality, and Altidore nearly making Liverpool pay]

Rob Townsend: [And that’s a warning sign for Liverpool. AZ Alkmaar are not here just to sit back—they’re going to ask questions of this defense]

The game was alive. Liverpool regrouped, Gerrard gesturing for calm as he picked up possession. The opening three minutes had already shown this was going to be a battle.

Liverpool slowed the tempo down, passing the ball around at the back, looking to regain control.

Carragher played a sharp pass into midfield, where Gerrard took over, scanning the field before spraying a diagonal ball out to Downing on the left.

Rob Townsend: [Trademark Gerrard switch there. That’s one of the weapons Liverpool use so well—quick, direct passes to stretch the opposition]

Downing brought it down with a neat touch, but Marcellis closed in quickly, blocking any immediate forward movement. Instead of forcing it, Downing played it back to Enrique, who recycled possession.

Jamie Carter: [Good defending from Marcellis. AZ Alkmaar are holding their shape well so far. They’re not diving in, just making it difficult for Liverpool to find space]

Liverpool continued probing. Lucas found Henderson, who turned and drove forward. He spotted Sterling making a run inside and threaded a pass through the lines.

Sterling took it in stride, cutting inside, his speed forcing Viergever to backpedal. With a quick shift, Sterling unleashed a shot from the edge of the 18 yard box.

The ball swerved dangerously toward the bottom corner.

Alvarado reacted. A quick dive to his right—fingertips to it. The ball spun wide.

Rob Townsend: [Alvarado with the save! That was creeping in]

Jamie Carter: [Brilliant from Sterling—sharp movement, good strike—but an even better stop from Alvarado. That’s a keeper who’s locked in]

A roar came from the Kop as Liverpool prepared for the corner. Gerrard jogged over, adjusting his captain’s armband before placing the ball down.

He took a deep breath. The 18 yard box was packed—Carragher, Agger, Viergever marking them tightly.

Gerrard’s delivery curled in with pace.

Agger rose highest, towering over his marker. A powerful header—driven down toward goal.

Alvarado reacted again—diving low, getting just enough to push it away. The ball bounced loose inside the six-yard box.

Scramble.

Marcellis swung a leg—blocked.

Berghuis tried to clear—ricocheted off Lucas.

Chaos ensued...

Benjamin spotted an opening. Before anyone else could react, he charged in, stretching to poke the ball forward—toward Altidore.

Altidore turned and drove forward, his strength holding off Agger. Benjamin sprinted alongside, calling for it.

Rob Townsend: [Here come AZ Alkmaar! It’s a two-on-two!]

Altidore hesitated—then slid a pass through.

Benjamin took off, racing into space. Only Carragher between him and the goal.

The stadium held its breath.

Benjamin sized up Carragher. The Liverpool veteran widened his stance with his arms out, trying to read the young Dutchman’s next move. The crowd roared, anticipation thick in the air.

One touch. Two. Benjamin slowed down slightly, letting the ball roll toward his right foot. Carragher stepped in, expecting a cut inside.

Then—voilà.

Benjamin flicked the ball up with his left foot, then, in one fluid motion, scooped it over Carragher’s head with his right.

Jamie Carter: [Oh my word! He’s just rainbow-flicked Carragher!]

Carragher spun, looking seriously lost, reaching but grasping at nothing. By the time his boots hit the grass again, Benjamin was already past him, the ball dropping perfectly into his path.

A gasp swept through Anfield.

The AZ Alkmaar fans erupted. Their away section bounced, voices rising in disbelief.

Benjamin didn’t stop. He took one glance at Reina rushing out of his six-yard box.

He stayed calm and took a light touch forward. Then, with the inside of his foot, he curled the ball into the bottom corner.

A hush overcame Anfield as the net rippled.