Thursday, 10 September 2015 – Melwood Training Centre – 8:02 AM
The air at Melwood carried the tension of a preseason, a derby week, and a club relaunch all at once. Every door creaked like it held a secret. Every hallway echoed with cautious hope.
This wasn't just a new manager's first full day. It was a systemic reset.
Azim stepped off the team shuttle in full first-team gear, his boots hanging over one shoulder, Melwood's redbrick walls towering ahead.
For the first time, there was no hiding.
"IS SYSTEM STATUS: Disguise Mode – OFF"
"Cognitive Sync: Stable. Neural Reaction Time: 52ms.""Sprint Cap: Unlocked. Execution Threshold: 100%"
His breath fogged slightly in the cool morning air, but inside, everything burned clear.
8:10 AM – Team Auditorium
Thirty-two players filled the room. Some were slouched. Some upright. All curious.
Jürgen Klopp walked in, no slideshow, no assistant. Just him and a black marker in his hand.
He wrote a single word on the whiteboard:"Chaos."
He turned to face them, eyes scanning every player. Firmino, Lucas, Can. Skrtel, Lovren, Coutinho. At the back, Azim—quiet, focused.
"That's what football is, ja?" Klopp said. "Chaos. You can't control it. But you can predict it. You can train your body, your mind, to be faster in the chaos. That's what we will do here. We turn chaos into rhythm."
He clicked the pen.
"This club has a heartbeat. You've forgotten how it sounds. So we're going to make it loud again."
He turned back to the board and drew a pitch.
4-2-3-1. Press Triggers. Midfield overloads. Wide interchange zones. High line. Vertical speed.
"We press. Hard. Together. Always. We win the ball five seconds after losing it. Or we foul. No jogging. No sulking. No passengers. Got it?"
Murmurs. Nods. Can whispered something to Lucas, who gave a low chuckle. Klopp snapped around.
"Speak up."
Can straightened. "Just said it's going to be hard."
"Good. It should be. Because we play with passion. And pain. And pride."
He stepped forward, voice tightening.
"Premier League. Top four, minimum. That's non-negotiable. Europa League. FA Cup. League Cup. Semifinals, minimum. But let me say one thing—"
He leaned against the desk, hands gripping either edge.
"I came here to win everything."
Silence.
"No excuses. No complaints. The pitch is equal. Eleven vs eleven. The difference is in the mind. And I know some of you have that difference."
His eyes swept across the room—and for a fraction of a second, they stopped on Azim.
But he said nothing.
"Now. Get your boots on."
8:50 AM – Melwood Main Pitch – Session 1
Azim jogged out last, scanning the field like it was a battlefield blueprint.
"IS: Tactical Mapping Activated"
Formation Template: 4-2-3-1
Live Positional Tracking: ON
Player Movement Prediction: Active (L. Leiva – slow lateral coverage; Lallana – inverted drift bias)
Press Trigger Zones: RB Zone, LCB-DM connection
He kept it quiet. But inside, he saw it all.
Klopp led the warm-up himself, barking transitions. From passing ladders to rondos to 4v2 pressing grids.
Azim stepped into a grid with Firmino, Lallana, and Joe Allen.
They didn't know what to expect.
First touch—Azim reversed it between two cones, shoulder-drop, step-pass to Firmino. No look. Rhythm perfect.
Next sequence—Azim read Lallana's delay, closed the pass angle before Allen even played the ball.
Interception. Reset.
Joe Allen blinked. "Wait… was that luck or…?"
Azim didn't reply.
9:35 AM – Match Simulation Drill (Half-Pitch)
First unit: Origi up front. Lallana at CAM. Milner and Lucas in the pivot.
Second unit: Azim central. Firmino behind. Can and Rossiter in holding roles. Azim looked at Firmino—silent cue—then peeled off Skrtel with a looping run.
Can floated a ball forward.
Azim didn't even take a touch.
"IS: Trajectory Predict – 87% first-time viable. Keeper reaction lag 0.6s."
Volley. Outside of the foot. Top left.
The ball kissed the underside of the bar and tucked in.
Klopp, watching from midfield, didn't cheer. He just wrote something on his clipboard.
10:05 AM – Dressing Room
Showers hissed in the background. Players chatted, unwrapping tape, peeling off socks.
Lucas turned to Azim. "Oi. Asia Boy."
Heads turned. A few chuckled. Azim raised a brow.
Firmino grinned. "Sterling told us. Said you were untouchable at Kirkby. Called you the Assassin from the East."
Azim gave a small laugh, towel around his neck.
"Still alive. Still kicking."
Skrtel passed him a bottle of water. "Nice hit earlier."
"Thanks."
Coutinho chimed in. "Think Klopp's watching you."
Azim didn't answer.
Because he already knew.
IS CORE LOG – Entry 051-A
First-Team Reintroduction: Complete
Status: Tactical Sync Achieved
Klopp Trust Index: 54% (rising)
Squad Awareness: Moderate curiosity
Performance Risk: None
Azim leaned back against the locker, eyes closed.
The future wasn't coming anymore.
It had begun.
---
Friday, 11 September 2015 – Melwood Tactical Room – 7:38 AM
Rain ticked against the high windows. A sharp, clean Liverpool morning.
Klopp stood alone at the front of the tactical room, sleeves rolled up. Behind him, the screen glowed with paused footage—Old Trafford's pitch under floodlights.
"You all know where we're going," Klopp said, voice quiet but tight. "Manchester United. Old Trafford. Their home. Their pride."
The squad leaned forward. Klopp was never theatrical—just surgical.
"They play 4-2-3-1, but it's fragile. Their fullbacks isolate themselves in transitions. Daley Blind is their LCB—intelligent, but slow on the turn. Carrick holds the pivot, but if you press his blind side, he panics."
The screen lit up with side-by-side clips. United conceding under pressure. Lost duels. Stray passes under strain.
"So what do we do?"
He tapped the screen. Zones pulsed red and green.
"We suffocate them. Not with possession. With pressure. With intensity. They'll try to dictate tempo. But tempo belongs to us."
A pause.
"If we control the third transition—the moment after they win it back—then we win this game."
Azim leaned forward slightly, eyes scanning every pixel of the screen. His IS HUD mapped it in real-time:
"IS Tactical Overlay: United Defensive Line – Delay Threshold: 1.3s after vertical transition. CB turning radius: 2.4m (left), 2.1m (right)."
"Recommended press zone: Right channel / Carrick + Darmian interface."
Klopp turned back to the players.
"If you hesitate, they'll counter. If you commit, you have to finish the trap. No halfway pressing. Full throttle or nothing. That's how gegenpress lives."
He stepped forward.
"Now—who leads the press?"
He looked at Firmino. Then Countinho. Then Azim.
Just a glance.
---
Friday, 11 September – Training Pitch – 10:32 AM
Klopp's drills weren't pretty. They were brutal. They replicated chaos.
2v3 transitional sequences.
7-second recovery counters.
Touch limit grids.
Azim played alongside Milner and Firmino in a mock line-breaking press.
The ball was with Can. Milner pressed left. Firmino moved to shadow the pivot. Azim read the angle.
"IS Trigger: Lateral press trap formed. Time-to-intercept window: 1.6s. Break burst required: 93% effort."
Azim sprinted before Can even passed. He intercepted the outlet ball and slipped Firmino through first-touch.
Firmino finished. Klopp shouted across the pitch.
"AGAIN!"
They reset. And again.
And again.
---
Friday, 11 September – Evening Review (Azim's Dorm Room)
Curtains drawn. Ceiling fan humming. A single overhead light.
Azim sat on his bunk, eyes fixed on his tactical HUD. The United footage played like film noir. Everything in grayscale but with highlighted threat zones.
"Opponent Behavior Analysis"
Daley Blind: Stiff under high press. Delays recovery by 1.2s when pressed diagonally.
Luke Shaw: Overlaps early. Leaves space behind during attacking sequence.
Carrick: Pivot preference – left side. Avoids right shoulder passes. Weakest under central congestion.
David De Gea: High line keeper. Vulnerable to 2nd-ball rebounds if pressured after initial save.
Azim blinked.
"IS: Build tactical entry for match scenario 'Debut. 60th Minute. Tactical Chaos'?"
"Yes."
A ghostly simulation started.
IS visualized a 60th-minute scenario. United up 1–0. Anfield crowd silent. Klopp paces the touchline.
Azim enters.
IS shows his first touch. Then the moment the press triggers. Blind forced wide. De Gea rushed. Firmino dropping.
Then space opens.
Azim running into the channel.
Then—
[SCENE: Goal prediction sequence. xG = 0.38. Execution path: curling strike far post.]
He saw it happen before it was real.
That was the point.
---
Saturday, 12 September – Matchday Breakfast – 7:45 AM
The team gathered in silence at the Melwood dining hall. Protein bowls, match carbs, tactical printouts beside the utensils.
Azim ate in rhythm. Oats. Banana. Water.
Coutinho sat beside him.
"You good, irmão (bro)?"
Azim nodded. "You?"
"Haven't won at Old Trafford in two years. Ready to change that."
Azim glanced at him.
"Then don't blink today."
---
9:12 AM – Bus to Manchester
The ride to Old Trafford was quiet. Most players had headphones on. Milner read a book. Firmino scrolled through his phone.
Azim stared out the window.
Every signpost. Every motorway. Every rain-slicked tree.
Stored. Recorded. Ready.
IS streamed key opposition warm-ups. Rooney. Memphis. Darmian.
"Opponent Warm-up Report: No fitness issues detected. Michael Carrick and Daley Blind confirmed starter."
Azim tapped the back of his seat lightly.
His leg bounced once. Then stilled.
"IS Internal Command: Lock nerves. Reduce cortisol surge."
"This is not their fortress," Azim whispered to himself. "It's the proving ground that I own Man Utd."
----
4:00 PM – Arrival: Old Trafford
They stepped off the bus one by one.
The roar of a hundred early fans swelled nearby. Flags waved. Stewards kept order.
Azim followed Milner into the tunnel.
The moment he stepped into the belly of the stadium, the IS Interface whispered:
"Tactical Environment Detected: Old Trafford."
"Ambient Noise: 83dB.
Crowd density: High."
"Psychological Disruption Index: Moderate."
Azim didn't flinch.
He looked around the tunnel.
Slabs of concrete. Bright floodlights. Echoes of boots tapping on tile.
This was football's cathedral.
But he hadn't come to admire it.
He'd come to break something inside it.
IS CORE LOG – ENTRY 052-A
Match Context: Liverpool vs Manchester United – Premier League
Location: Old Trafford
Kick-Off: 5:30 PM
Role: Tactical Substitution
Objective: Shift tempo.
Initiate Phase One.
Azim stepped toward the changing room door.
Inside was Klopp's war talk. Lineups. Boards. Final instructions.
Outside was the Premier League.
And the first day of the rest of his life.
---
4:15 PM – Dressing Room
The atmosphere inside the dressing room was a blend of focused energy and simmering anticipation. Players went through their individual rituals:
Simon Mignolet sat quietly, visualizing saves.
Martin Škrtel methodically laced his boots, his tattoos a tapestry of past battles.
Philippe Coutinho hummed a Brazilian tune under his breath, the melody a calming influence.
Jürgen Klopp entered, his presence commanding immediate attention. He moved to the center, where a tactical board displayed the starting lineup:
Liverpool Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
GK: Simon Mignolet
RB: Nathaniel Clyne
CB: Martin Škrtel
CB: Dejan Lovren
LB: Joe Gomez
CDM: Lucas Leiva
CDM: James Milner (C)
RM: Roberto Firmino
CAM: Philippe Coutinho
LM: Danny Ings
ST: Christian Benteke
On the bench, notable names included Divock Origi, Alberto Moreno, and the debutant Azim.
Klopp's voice was steady, deliberate.
"Today marks the beginning of our journey together. Old Trafford is a fortress, but fortresses can be breached. Trust in the system, trust in each other. Press as a unit, transition with purpose, and when the moment comes, be ruthless."
He turned his gaze to Milner.
"James, lead by example. Your experience is vital."
Milner gave a curt nod, his demeanor reflecting years of battles fought and won.
Klopp's eyes then found Azim.
"Azim, stay ready. Your time will come."
Azim met his manager's gaze, a silent understanding passing between them.
4:45 PM – Warm-Up
The team emerged onto the pitch for their warm-up routines. The stadium, though not yet at full capacity, resonated with the murmurs and chants of early spectators. Azim jogged alongside Firmino, the Brazilian offering a few words of encouragement in Portuguese-accented English.
"First time at Old Trafford, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Just play your game. The rest will follow."
Azim nodded, his focus narrowing to the drills at hand.
5:15 PM – Final Preparations
Back in the dressing room, the tension was palpable. Klopp gathered the players for a final word.
"Remember, it's eleven versus eleven. The noise, the crowd, the occasion—they mean nothing once the whistle blows. Execute the plan, and the result will follow."
He extended his hand into the center. One by one, players piled their hands atop, a unified gesture of collective resolve.
"For Liverpool," Klopp intoned.
"For Liverpool," came the unified response.
5.20 PM – Pitch Tunnel, Old Trafford
The tunnel was narrower than it looked on TV. A concrete funnel of sound and breath and heartbeat.
Coutinho stood ahead, rolling his neck. Lucas bounced in place. Firmino cracked his knuckles and muttered a prayer.
Azim stood three spots back on the bench lineup, just behind Joe Allen and Kolo Touré.
The United players stood opposite—Rooney, Memphis, Carrick. All eyes ahead. No talking. Just thunder building in the rafters above.
The stadium exploded as they walked out.
That first roar—sharp, hot, immediate. 75,347 voices crashing like a wave.
The flags. The boos. The banners.
"IS Audio Buffer Engaged. Crowd Suppression Mode: Partial."
Azim let it all sink in.
This wasn't youth league. This wasn't Bolton. This was war at the theatre of war.
He sat quietly on the bench. Klopp took his place on the touchline, arms folded, eyes hard as steel.
----
The air crackled with anticipation as 75,347 fans filled Old Trafford, their voices merging into a thunderous roar. This wasn't just any match; it was the North-West Derby, a clash steeped in history and animosity. For Liverpool, it marked the dawn of a new era under Jürgen Klopp, the charismatic German manager whose arrival had ignited hope among the Reds' faithful.
Commentary Team: Martin Tyler and Gary Neville
Martin Tyler: "Welcome to Old Trafford for this highly anticipated fixture between Manchester United and Liverpool. Both teams have a point to prove today, but the spotlight is firmly on Liverpool's new manager, Jürgen Klopp, as he takes charge of his first game."
Gary Neville: "Absolutely, Martin. Klopp's arrival has brought a wave of optimism to Liverpool. He's known for his high-intensity, gegenpressing style of play. It'll be interesting to see how quickly the players have adapted."
Team Lineups:
Manchester United (4-2-3-1):
GK: David De Gea
RB: Matteo Darmian
CB: Chris Smalling
CB: Daley Blind
LB: Luke Shaw
CDM: Michael Carrick
CDM: Bastian Schweinsteiger
RM: Juan Mata
CAM: Ander Herrera
LM: Memphis Depay
ST: Marouane Fellaini
Liverpool (4-2-3-1):
GK: Simon Mignolet
RB: Nathaniel Clyne
CB: Martin Škrtel
CB: Dejan Lovren
LB: Joe Gomez
CDM: Lucas Leiva
CDM: James Milner
RM: Roberto Firmino
CAM: Philippe Coutinho
LM: Danny Ings
ST: Christian Benteke
Kick-off:
The referee's whistle pierced the air, and the battle commenced. United immediately sought to assert dominance, their midfield duo of Carrick and Schweinsteiger orchestrating play with precision. Liverpool, true to Klopp's philosophy, responded with relentless pressing, aiming to disrupt United's rhythm.
10th Minute:
A probing pass from Mata found Depay on the left flank. The Dutchman cut inside, unleashing a curling effort that forced Mignolet into a fingertip save. The ensuing corner saw Fellaini rise above Lovren, but his header sailed over.
Martin Tyler: "United showing early intent here. Depay's effort was top-notch, and Fellaini's aerial presence is always a threat."
Gary Neville: "Liverpool need to be cautious. Their pressing is commendable, but they can't afford to leave gaps at the back."
25th Minute:
Liverpool began to find their footing. Milner intercepted a loose pass, quickly releasing Firmino down the right. The Brazilian danced past Shaw, delivering a low cross towards Benteke. Blind intervened with a crucial clearance, denying a clear opportunity.
Gary Neville: "That's better from Liverpool. Firmino's agility can unlock defenses, and Benteke just needs that one chance."
Halftime:
The first half concluded with both sides deadlocked at 0-0. United had edged possession, but Liverpool's pressing had kept them honest.
Steam clung to the tiled walls like fog.
Boots clunked to the floor. Water bottles thudded. No shouting—just silence, breaths, and the low hum of tension.
Azim sat on the far end of the bench, towel around his neck, heart steady. He hadn't stepped on the pitch yet. But the war was already humming through his bones.
Klopp stood in the center, motioning with his hands—precise, controlled.
"No changes yet," he said. "We're pressing well. But now they'll look to open the tempo. Schweinsteiger will drop deeper. Herrera will break more. Mata will start drifting wide."
He paced once.
"If we concede, we go harder. Not looser—harder. Win it back in two passes. Final third aggression."
He pointed to the tactic board.
"Firmino. More central. Rotate with Phil. Milner, you keep screening."
He didn't say Azim's name.
But then—just before stepping out—he turned to him.
Eyes sharp.
"One moment, that's all it takes."
Azim met his gaze.
Nodded once.
Second Half Begins
The roar rose again, vibrating through the tunnel.
United kicked off with urgency. Liverpool's press met them halfway, but the home side began to build more cleanly. On 49 minutes, a corner swung out to Blind (CB), who struck clean.
GOAL – Manchester United 1 – 0 Liverpool.
The stadium exploded.
Klopp didn't flinch. He turned to the bench, scanned it.
Then nodded.
"Azim. You're in. Benteke's off."
Minute 63 – Azim (ST) ON
Number 18. Debut. At Old Trafford.
As Azim peeled off his training bib, pulled the jersey tight across his shoulders, the IS Interface activated:
IS: Substitution Confirmed
Role: ST – Central Focus Point
Tactical Trigger: Aggressive Vertical Play
Press Intensity Cap: 94%
Endurance Protocol: Override – Active
All Systems Green. Execute.
He sprinted toward the touchline. Crowd deafening. Klopp clapped him on.
"Link play. Drag them. Attack from the heart."
Azim crossed the white line.
And stepped into the storm.
Minute 64
Formation: Liverpool 4-2-3-1
Azim (ST)
Firmino (CAM)
Coutinho (LM)
Milner (CDM)
Lucas (CDM)
United sat deeper, absorbing.
Carrick (CDM) tracked Firmino's half-spaces. Schweinsteiger (CDM) began to stagger his positioning. But Azim saw the shapes forming.
He dropped between lines.
Received the ball from Milner.
"IS: Pressure right shoulder. Delay touch 0.3s. Firmino run – blind channel."
He took a touch left, rolled the ball—
Firmino (CAM) burst through—
Shot parried by De Gea!
Azim was already moving.
The rebound dropped—
Chest, settle, toe poke across the box—
"IS: Back post arrival – 1.2s. Execute delivery."
He chipped it across.
Coutinho (LM) arrived—
SLAM!
GOAL – Liverpool 1 – 1 Manchester United.
The away end detonated.
But Azim didn't run to the crowd.
He turned and pointed—straight at Firmino, who'd started the whole chain.
Then he jogged back calmly.
Like it was normal.
Like this was his rhythm.
Minute 68
United tried to reset with possession.
But Azim wasn't letting them breathe.
He pressed Carrick—forced a backpass. Pressed Blind—intercepted a poor switch.
He held it near the sideline, Shaw closing in.
"IS: No pass window. Single defender. Activate dribble sequence."
He faked inside.
Then outside.
Then darted between both.
Shaw slipped—Azim was gone.
He cut back across the top of the box.
Firmino arrived again.
"IS: Green flick. One-two window viable."
He tapped it short—
Firmino backheeled—perfect weight.
Azim drove in.
De Gea charged.
"IS: Shot window closing. Option: chip – 92% success."
Azim didn't even look.
He dinked it.
It sailed.
GOAL – Liverpool 2 – 1 Manchester United.
Old Trafford went still.
Like someone cut the power.
Then came the sound.
From 3,000 Liverpool fans in the corner.
"AZIM! AZIM! AZIM!"
The announcer voice trembled through the speaker.
"Goal scored for Liverpool… by Abdul—"
"AZIM!" the crowd finished.
Azim stood near the corner flag.
Pointed at Firmino again.
Jogged back. Silent.
Minute 75
United were rattled.
Herrera (CAM) began charging forward more aggressively.
In the 76th, he slipped past Gomez and was brought down.
Penalty.
He buried it.
GOAL – United 2 – 2 Liverpool.
Azim turned, breathing slowly.
IS: Mental State – Stable. No drop.
Opponent Confidence Spike: +12%
Tactical Pattern Detected: Overlapping LB push – exploit flank retreat.
He jogged back to the center circle.
Ready.
Minute 78
United began to overcommit.
Depay (LM) pushed higher. Mata (RM) tucked inside.
Carrick was alone.
Milner pounced.
Stole the ball—sent it to Lucas.
Lucas to Firmino.
Firmino turned—Azim already running.
"IS: Offside trap disengaged. Acceleration lane open. Execute burst."
He sprinted—Smalling tried to track.
De Gea came again.
Azim didn't chip.
He cut right.
Then drilled it low.
GOAL – Liverpool 3 – 2 Manchester United.
He didn't even celebrate this time.
He just walked back.
One hand raised.
Pointed again—this time at Lucas.
Minute 83
United attacked desperately. Fellaini stayed forward.
But as Mata cut in, Azim tracked back from midfield.
Yes—tracked back.
"IS: Intercept line forming. Pressure vector: left hip."
He timed it.
Took the ball clean.
Spun and went wide.
Firmino and Ings surged forward.
He sprinted into space.
One look up.
"IS: Cross angle green. Trajectory arc: back post. Ings arrival in 2.1s."
He bent the cross.
It curved like a sniper's bullet.
Ings headed it—off the post!
Groans everywhere.
But Liverpool were breathing fire.
Minute 87
Klopp screamed from the touchline: "Keep hunting!"
United tried one more buildup.
But Schweinsteiger hesitated.
Azim pounced.
"IS: Press window green. Possession flip chance – 84%."
He stole it.
Played it to Coutinho.
Coutinho to Firmino.
Firmino to Azim—
Azim slipped it in behind—
Milner ran on—
Crossed it—
No goal.
Cleared by Blind.
90+3' – Final Whistle
FULL-TIME – Manchester United 2 – 3 Liverpool
Old Trafford stunned.
Liverpool huddled.
Klopp fist-pumped so hard it shook the dugout.
Azim just smiled.
He didn't shout.
He didn't pose.
He shook hands with Mata. With Blind. With Schweinsteiger.
Then walked to the away fans.
Lifted a hand.
They chanted.
"AZIM! AZIM! AZIM!"
----
POST-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE
Jürgen Klopp, sitting at the podium, adjusted his jacket.
"I've coached for many years," he said. "But I've never seen a debut like that. Pressing. Passing. Finishing. Tracking back. He was everywhere. That's our future. That's our now."
A journalist asked, "Did you expect this from Azim?"
Klopp smiled.
"No."
He paused.
"I expected more. He hasn't shown everything yet."
The room laughed nervously.
But he wasn't joking.
IS Core – Internal Log
Match Status: Complete
Performance Index: 97%
Goals: 2
Assists: 1
Press Triggers: 7
Interceptions: 3
Expected Goal Involvements: 2.41
Decision Delay Avg: 0.38s
Success Rate in Final Third: 94%
In the tunnel, Azim walked slowly toward the locker room.
Klopp slapped his shoulder once.
"Enjoy the silence," he said. "You won't get much of it anymore."
Azim nodded.
No words.
Just war in his eyes.
The first chapter of his real career had been written.
In full caps.
In blood-red ink.
At Old Trafford.
---
The dressing room smelled of sweat, grass, and something else.
Victory.
Liverpool's players trickled in, boots muddy, socks rolled down, some dragging tired legs, others still too wired to sit.
But not Azim.
He sat quietly in front of his locker, shirt off, skin still flushed with the adrenaline of war. The no. 18 jersey clung to his shoulder like a badge of battle. His breathing was slow. Calm. Like nothing had happened.
But everything had.
Around him, the team murmured—little nods, subtle glances.
Lovren whispered something to Skrtel. Skrtel just gave a small nod toward Azim. Gomez let out a low, amazed chuckle. Even Lucas, soaked in sweat and age-old leadership, looked across the room once and gave a nod that said: Yeah. He's real.
Trent, watching from the away section with the youth team, had nearly broken his voice shouting "AZIM" when the second goal landed. He'd sent Azim a message right after the whistle:
"Bro… that was insane. Proud doesn't even cover it."
Martin Tyler had said it best on air:
"There's debut goals… and then there's arriving like an avalanche. Abdul Azim didn't just enter the stage—he tore down the curtain, rewrote the playbook, and built the theatre anew."
Inside the IS Core:
Processing Final Report
Match ID: EPL-20150912-MUN-LIV
Role: Tactical Substitution – Striker
Minutes Played: 27
Touches: 41
Successful Passes: 29
Key Passes: 6
Interceptions: 3
Shots: 4
Goals: 2
Assists: 1
Press Triggers: 11
Recovery Runs: 4
Max Sprint Speed: 34.7 km/h
Tactical Impact Rating: 9.8/10
Total Distance Covered: 6.1km in 27 minutes
Gegenpress Compliance Score: 97%
Fan Engagement: +46% (Twitter trend #Azim18)
Manager Confidence Spike: +68%
Azim blinked. The interface faded into black.
"Save report. Encrypt. Lock behind personal firewall."
"File name?" IS asked.
He didn't hesitate.
"The Beginning."
7 PM – Tunnel
Klopp stood at the mouth of the tunnel, talking quietly with James Milner, who had captained with grit all game.
As Azim walked by, Milner clapped him on the shoulder. "Welcome, Asia Boy," he said with a smirk.
Azim raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"Sterling told us. Said if you ever made it to the first team, you'd make the rest of us look slow."
Azim grinned. "Hope I didn't disappoint."
Milner just laughed. "You didn't. But next time, leave something for us, yeah?"
Klopp motioned Azim over.
His eyes were serious—but behind them, a storm was building.
"You know what you've just done?"
Azim didn't answer.
Klopp didn't expect him to.
"You've set a fire we now have to control. Everyone's going to want to know how you did that."
Azim met his eyes. "I'll show them. On the pitch."
Klopp grinned.
"Good. Because I'm building something here—and I'm putting you at the center. But until January, you're going to fly under the radar again. No interviews. No spotlight. Just football."
Azim nodded. "And after January?"
Klopp paused, eyes narrowing.
"After January? I unleash the new Liverpool."
7:30 PM – Liverpool Bus
The mood was electric, even if no one spoke about it too loudly.
Music played low.
Players scrolled through their phones. Fans had already posted Azim's second goal on YouTube from five angles. One video titled "THE BIRTH OF A MONSTER – AZIM VS MAN UNITED" already had 300,000 views.
Firmino leaned over from across the aisle.
"That backheel from me?" he said, winking.
Azim smiled. "Was perfect."
Firmino bumped fists. "Next time, you return the favour, yeah?"
Azim just nodded.
He would.
They were starting to understand him—not just the ability, but the tempo. The way he saw the pitch three seconds ahead. The way he pressed like an animal, but passed like a brain surgeon.
Klopp stood at the front of the bus, one hand on the headrest.
"I saw belief tonight," he said.
"From all of you. But especially from our ghost."
He looked at Azim.
"Next week, everyone will talk about your goals. The fans will chant your name. But if you ask me what I saw..."
He paused.
"I saw a striker press harder than my midfielders. I saw a forward recover like a full-back. I saw decisions made faster than the opponent could blink."
Azim just stared forward, listening. He didn't smile.
Klopp continued.
"I saw the system coming alive."
Silence.
Then applause.
Small at first.
Then the whole bus.
---
Monday Morning – Press Headlines:
The Sun: "Azim the Assassin – Klopp's Secret Weapon Explodes at Old Trafford"
BBC Sport: "Abdul Azim: Who is Liverpool's New No.18?"
Daily Mail: "From Unknown to Unmissable – Liverpool's Young Gun Shocks United"
Goal.com: "IS He for Real? How Abdul Azim Shattered United in 30 Minutes"
Elsewhere – Riyadh
In a high-rise office atop the Al Faisaliah Tower, an assistant set down a silver tablet on a mahogany desk.
"Your Highness," he said, bowing slightly.
"Liverpool's new striker. Just made his debut."
Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah, new owner of Liverpool FC, tapped the play button.
He watched the match reel in silence.
Not the YouTube version. But the real one. The encrypted one.
The one Azim's IS sent straight to the ownership interface—automatically, without human interference.
The match from Azim's POV.
With data overlays.
Pulse spikes.
Tactical impact ratings.
"He's the investment," Prince Faisal whispered.
"And the future."
He tapped once more.
Pulled up Master Plan file
His eyes narrowed on the next step.
January 2016: Window Opens.
The real storm was only beginning.
And so, under the burning lights of Old Trafford, a new legend was forged.