Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King-Chapter 261: Lightning Fast Counter

Assaidi surged toward the edge of the 18 yard box, defenders backing off. Then—he let fly.

The shot dipped, swerving toward the far post—

Esteban dived and palmed it away!

The ball bounced loose—Sturridge reacted first!

Jamie Carter: [Chance! Sturridge—]

But before he could pounce, Viergever slid in with a last-ditch tackle, poking the ball away.

Rob Townsend: [What a tackle! Viergever had to get that spot on!]

The ball rolled out for a Liverpool throw, but Anfield was on its feet. The game had exploded into life.

Brendan Rodgers paced the sideline, urging his team forward. On the other side, Gertjan Verbeek shouted instructions, pointing toward the wings.

Jamie Carter: [Both managers know what’s at stake here. The next goal could be the winner.]

Rob Townsend: [And you can feel it, Jamie. This could go either way.]

With just over ten minutes left, the tension inside Anfield was electric.

Liverpool threw everything forward. Shelvey received the ball from Gerrard and immediately looked up. He spotted Suárez peeling away from his marker and lofted a pass over the top.

Suárez took it on his chest—one touch—two—then flicked it sideways for Sturridge!

Jamie Carter: [Lovely play! Sturridge is through!]

Sturridge drove into the 18 yard box, Viergever chasing him down. He shaped to shoot—faked—cut inside—

Rob Townsend: [Brilliant footwork!]

Sturridge pulled the trigger—

But Alvarado was there again! The AZ Alkmaar keeper got a strong hand to it, pushing the shot wide.

Jamie Carter: [Esteban Alvarado keeps AZ Alkmaar in it! That was nearly the moment!]

Liverpool fans groaned in frustration, but their team kept the pressure on.

AZ Alkmaar finally broke free. A quick counter started with Adam turning away from Gerrard and slipping a pass through to Guðmundsson.

Jamie Carter: [And now AZ Alkmaar come forward! Liverpool have to be careful!]

Guðmundsson sprinted down the right, Johnson trailing behind him. He whipped a low cross into the middle—

Beerens was there!

He lunged forward, trying to get a touch—

But Agger got across, his outstretched foot sending the ball spinning toward the top of the 18 yard box.

Altidore pounced, shielding the ball with his strength as Skrtel closed in. He took a touch, looking to turn—

Jamie Carter: [Altidore’s in a great position! Can he get the shot off?]

Rob Townsend: [He needs to be quick—Liverpool are closing him down!]

Altidore hesitated—just for a second—then tried to shift the ball onto his right foot.

Too late.

Gerrard stormed in with a crunching tackle, knocking the ball free.

Jamie Carter: [Brilliant from Gerrard!]

Before Altidore could react, Gerrard was already on his feet, scanning the field.

Then—one touch.

Two.

And suddenly—Liverpool were off.

Rob Townsend: [Here comes the counter!]

Gerrard fired a pass into Shelvey, who flicked it first-time out to Assaidi on the left.

The Moroccan spun away from his marker, sprinting into open space.

Jamie Carter: [Look at Liverpool go! They’ve got numbers!]

AZ Alkmaar were scrambling. Viergever pointed, shouting at his midfield to drop back. But Liverpool moved too fast.

Assaidi reached the halfway line and spotted Sturridge darting through the middle. He threaded a pass between the defenders—

Sturridge let it roll past his body, then accelerated.

Rob Townsend: [This is dangerous! Sturridge is through the middle!]

Anfield roared as Sturridge charged forward, only one defender left—Reijnen.

Jamie Carter: [Can AZ Alkmaar hold on?]

Reijnen lunged—Sturridge skipped past him with a clever touch.

Now it was just Sturridge and Suárez.

Jamie Carter: [It’s two against one! Liverpool can finish this!]

Sturridge reached the edge of the 18 yard box. Alvarado rushed out—

Rob Townsend: [Does he go alone?]

At the last second, Sturridge slid the ball sideways—right into the path of Suárez.

Jamie Carter: [Suárez!]

Suárez didn’t hesitate. He opened up his body and curled the ball first-time—

Past Alvarado and into the bottom corner!

GOOAAAAALLLL!!!~ fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

LIVERPOOL 3-2 AZ ALKMAAR!

Anfield erupted.

Jamie Carter: [LIVERPOOL LEAD! SUÁREZ DOES IT AGAIN!]

Rob Townsend: [What a counter-attack! From one end of the pitch to the other in seconds! That’s Liverpool at their best!]

Suárez sprinted toward the Kop with his arms outstretched, before sliding on his knees. His teammates swarmed him.

Brendan Rodgers clenched his fists, punching the air. He turned to the crowd, roaring with them.

On the other side, Gertjan Verbeek was furious. He kicked at the turf, shaking his head. His assistants tried to calm him, but his face was red with frustration.

Jamie Carter: [Look at Gertjan Verbeek! He knows how big that moment was. AZ Alkmaar were pressing, and in an instant, they’ve been punished.]

On the AZ Alkmaar bench, Benjamin buried his face in his hands.

Rob Townsend: [And Benjamin knows it too. He was running the game before his injury, and now he has to sit and watch this unravel.]

Benjamin lifted his head, staring at the scoreboard. His jaw clenched.

Liverpool were ahead and AZ Alkmaar were running out of time.

Fweeeee!~

AZ Alkmaar rushed to restart the game. Adam grabbed the ball, urging his teammates forward. Every second mattered now.

Jamie Carter: [They have to respond quickly!]

Rob Townsend: [But Liverpool are locking things down. Look at them pressing high—they don’t want to let AZ Alkmaar settle!]

Gerrard pointed, barking instructions as Suárez and Sturridge cut off passing lanes. AZ Alkmaar struggled to play out from the back.

Reijnen attempted a long ball—too rushed. It floated harmlessly to Reina, who wasted no time clutching it to his chest.

Anfield cheered. Every wasted AZ Alkmaar pass was a small victory for Liverpool now.

Jamie Carter: [You can feel it, Rob. Liverpool are managing this perfectly.]

Rob Townsend: [Yeah, they’ve got the lead, and now they’re making sure AZ Alkmaar don’t get any rhythm.]

On the touchline, Gertjan Verbeek paced aggressively, clapping his hands. "Go! Go!" he yelled, signaling his team to push up.

Benjamin sat still on the bench, his fingers gripping his shorts. His night was over, but inside, he was still in the game. He glanced at the clock—84 minutes.

AZ Alkmaar still had time. But not much.