Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 257: Early Sting

Chapter 257: Early Sting

The corner was about to be taken. Gerrard placed the ball down, his eyes scanning the chaos in the 18 yard box.

Liverpool’s big men—Agger, Skrtel, and Carragher—were all in position, jostling for space.

Jamie Carter: [Another dangerous moment for AZ Alkmaar. They’ve survived so far, but how long can they keep this up?]

Rob Townsend: [Liverpool are throwing everything at them now. One clean connection, and this place will explode.]

Gerrard raised his hand. The signal was clear.

He whipped the ball in—fast, curling, dipping. It was headed straight for the six-yard box.

Bodies flew.

Agger leaped highest, his forehead meeting the ball with force. It shot straight at goal!

Alvarado reacted on instinct, barely having time to move. His hands shot up, blocking the ball with sheer reflex.

The rebound spilled loose and Suárez who lurked dangerously close pounced.

Jamie Carter: [Loose ball—Suárez!]

He met the ball in desperate swing, making clean contact and the ball rolled toward the net—

But it was Blocked!

Victor Elm lunged in, throwing everything he had into the clearance. The ball cannoned off his shin and flew out toward the left flank.

Benjamin was already moving.

He sprinted after it, his tired legs still finding power. His first touch was heavy, but it didn’t matter—he had enough space in front of him.

Rob Townsend: [And now AZ Alkmaar can break!]

Liverpool scrambled to recover. Johnson and Lucas rushed back, but Benjamin had a head start.

The crowd noise swelled as he surged forward. Altidore darted to his right, waving for the pass.

Benjamin ignored him, he saw something else—Berghuis, ahead, peeling away from Skrtel.

Jamie Carter: [Benjamin has options—will he play it?]

He delayed, just for a second. And that was enough to draw Johnson closer. Then he played it.

A perfectly weighted ball, slicing through the grass toward Berghuis’ feet.

The young winger took it in stride, his first touch immaculate.

One-on-one with Reina.

Rob Townsend: [This is it! Berghuis—]

The Dutchman steadied himself, lifted his head. Reina charged out, spreading his frame wide.

Berghuis struck. Low and hard.

The ball fizzed past Reina’s outstretched foot—And slammed into the bottom corner.

GOOAAAAALLLLL!!!~

Jamie Carter: [GOAL! AZ ALKMAAR LEAD AGAIN IN THE 52ND MINUTE OF THE SECOND HALF!]

The away section erupted. Players sprinted toward Berghuis, piling onto him in celebration.

Liverpool’s defenders stood still, hands on their heads. Reina punched the ground in frustration.

Rob Townsend: [What a counterattack! That started from Alvarado’s save, and AZ Alkmaar executed it to perfection!]

Jamie Carter: [And Benjamin—what a pass! He made that look so simple, but the weight on that ball was perfect!]

Benjamin, still catching his breath, let the moment sink in. He clenched his fists, exhaling hard.

Jamie Carter: [Anfield is stunned, but you just know Liverpool will respond. There’s too much time left for them to go down without a fight. This can still go anyone’s way]

Rob Townsend: [Absolutely. And if we’ve learned anything about this Liverpool side, it’s that they never stop coming]

The ball was placed at the center circle. Gerrard grabbed it, urging his teammates forward. His face was all business—focused, determined.

Fweeeee!~

The referee’s whistle sounded and Liverpool kicked off.

Immediately, they pushed forward again. The ball moved quickly, one-touch passing slicing through AZ Alkmaar’s midfield.

Sterling to Suárez. Suárez to Gerrard. Out wide to Johnson.

Johnson surged down the right, taking on Gorter. A sharp cut inside, then a driven pass toward the edge of the 18 yard box.

Suárez let it run. Behind him, Stewart Downing arrived.

Rob Townsend: [Downing—can he make something happen?]

The English man took a touch, opened his body, and curled a shot toward the top corner.

Alvarado dived and fortunately for the AZ Alkmaar faithfuls, the ball flew inches over the bar.

Gasps echoed through Anfield. Hands went to heads.

Jamie Carter: [Oh, that was close! Stewart Downing wasn’t far away at all!]

Rob Townsend: [And look at Gerrard—he’s rallying the troops. Liverpool know they’re running out of time, but they won’t stop coming.]

Alvarado wasted no time. He grabbed the ball and signaled for his team to push up. Then, with a booming kick, he sent it flying toward Altidore.

The striker battled with Skrtel, trying to control it. The ball bounced awkwardly, and Agger rushed in, clearing it high into the night sky.

Jamie Carter: [AZ Alkmaar are just trying to hold on now. They’re being pushed deeper and deeper.]

Suárez dropped into the midfield, demanding the ball. He turned sharply, shaking off Henriksen, then threaded a pass into the 18 yard box.

Gerrard was on it. He took one touch to settle the ball and let a shot loose.

Blocked!

Viergever threw himself in the way, deflecting it wide.

Rob Townsend: [Another huge block! AZ Alkmaar are putting bodies on the line here!]

Anfield roared, urging their team forward. Gerrard stepped up again for a corner kick.

Gerrard took a deep breath, his eyes locked on the crowded 18 yard box. He raised his hand.

Jamie Carter: [Another set-piece for Liverpool. AZ Alkmaar have defended bravely, but how much longer can they keep this up?]

Rob Townsend: [Gerrard’s deliveries have been lethal all game. One clean header, and this place will erupt.]

The corner swung in—fast, curling toward the penalty spot.

Bodies flew.

Carragher rose highest, towering over his marker. He met the ball with power, directing it downward.

The ball rocketed toward the bottom corner of the goal. Esteban Alvarado, already shifting his weight, flung himself down with his arms stretched out wide to make fingertip save.

The AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper just managed to push it wide, sending the ball skimming past the post. The home fans watched on agonizingly as the ball rolled past.

Jamie Carter: [Alvarado again! He’s keeping AZ Alkmaar in this game!]

Rob Townsend: [What a save! That was headed straight for the corner, and somehow he got a hand to it!]

The tension inside Anfield was unbearable. Liverpool had them pinned back, wave after wave of pressure threatening to break them.