The scoreboard read Liverpool 6, Southampton 0.
Anfield was still singing, but the match had entered a different phase. Liverpool's players had begun conserving their energy between attacks, keeping possession rather than forcing every forward pass. Southampton, meanwhile, were searching for something to salvage from an afternoon that had gone disastrously wrong.
Abdul Azim stood near the centre circle, hands resting briefly on his hips as he watched Van Dijk reorganise the defensive line.
The Dutchman had spent almost the entire match following him, stepping forward whenever he dropped into midfield and recovering towards his own goal whenever he attacked the space behind the defence. The strategy had frustrated Azim in the 1st half, but the Liverpool forward had gradually learned to use that attention against him.
He had scored a hat-trick.
He had helped create space for Coutinho, Firmino and Can.
More importantly, he had begun to understand that he did not need to win every individual duel to influence a match.
Still, the accumulated running was beginning to weigh on his legs. His shirt clung to his back, and his breathing had become heavier after another sprint to close the space between Southampton's defenders and midfield.
Near the touchline, Klopp watched him closely.
The Liverpool manager had already replaced the injured Lallana with Firmino in the 38th minute. At the 75th minute, he made his 2nd substitution, bringing Joe Allen on for Emre Can.
Can had played an important role in Liverpool's midfield, helping protect the centre and support the pressing structure. His goal earlier in the match had rewarded that work, but Klopp wanted fresh legs to maintain control during the final stages.
Allen jogged onto the pitch.
Can approached the touchline, clapping his hands before exchanging a brief handshake with Klopp.
"Good work," the manager told him. "Get some rest."
Can nodded and walked towards the dugout.
As he passed the bench, he glanced towards Azim.
"Don't tell me you're coming off next."
Azim grinned.
"Why? Afraid I'll take all the attention?"
Can laughed.
"You already have."
Klopp looked down the touchline again.
A few moments later, he called towards the 4th official.
"Christian!"
Benteke immediately began warming up.
The Belgian striker had been waiting for his opportunity, stretching his legs and watching the match from the technical area. He was a different kind of forward from Azim, offering strength in aerial duels, the ability to hold the ball under pressure and a physical presence that could help Liverpool maintain possession against Southampton's recovering defenders.
Klopp wanted him to provide a focal point for the final minutes.
The 4th official raised the electronic board.
Liverpool substitution, 77th minute.
#36 Abdul Azim off.
#9 Christian Benteke on.
For a brief moment, Azim looked at the board as though he had not expected to see his own number.
Then he turned towards the touchline.
The roar began before he had taken his 1st step.
Thousands of supporters rose from their seats. Applause spread from the main stand towards the Kop, gathering strength until it seemed to roll across the entire stadium.
"AZIM! AZIM! AZIM!"
The chant reached him in waves.
Azim slowed.
He had heard supporters cheer his goals, but this was different. They were applauding a player who was leaving the pitch while the match was still in progress, a player who had already given them 3 goals and helped transform the afternoon into a celebration.
He turned towards the Kop.
Then he jumped and drove his fist into the air.
"THANK YOU!"
His voice was swallowed by the noise.
The supporters responded by chanting his name even louder.
"AZIM! AZIM! AZIM!"
As he began walking towards the dugout, the chant changed.
"LIVERPOOL! LIVERPOOL! LIVERPOOL!"
The familiar song spread throughout Anfield, louder and more unified with every repetition.
Azim felt the sound travel through him.
For the 1st time since kick-off, he allowed himself to stop thinking about the next run, the next pressing trigger or the next passing lane. He turned his head towards the stands and acknowledged the supporters, smiling as he crossed the touchline.
The commentators immediately picked up on the reaction.
"Listen to Anfield! The Liverpool supporters are on their feet, and they are giving Abdul Azim a tremendous reception as he leaves the pitch."
"He has scored a hat-trick today, but I think the applause goes beyond the goals. He has been central to everything Liverpool have done well. His pressing has disrupted Southampton's build-up, his movement has opened spaces for his teammates, and his passing has helped turn those recoveries into attacking opportunities."
"Absolutely. Look at the way Klopp is greeting him. The manager knows what the young forward has contributed today."
Klopp was already waiting beside the touchline.
Azim approached him, still breathing heavily.
The manager caught him by the shoulders and pulled him into a brief embrace.
"Excellent work, Azim."
"Thank you, boss."
"You have earned that applause."
Azim glanced towards the supporters.
"They have been incredible."
Klopp followed his gaze and smiled.
"Then give them something worth remembering. You have done that today."
He patted Azim on the back before releasing him.
Benteke entered the pitch and immediately moved towards the central attacking position. Azim watched for a moment as the Belgian adjusted his positioning, then turned towards the dugout.
He had been replaced, but he did not feel disappointed.
Not today.
The 3 goals were already on the scoreboard, and the manager had trusted him with a difficult tactical responsibility throughout the match. Coming off at the 77th minute was sensible. The game was comfortably under control, and Benteke could offer a different challenge to Southampton's tired defenders.
As Azim approached the bench, he glanced towards the large screen above the pitch.
The broadcast had cut to the executive seats.
John W. Henry, Liverpool's principal owner, was shown applauding alongside the people seated near him. He watched the supporters celebrating the substitution, then turned back towards the pitch and gave a small, approving nod.
The camera remained on him for several seconds.
The commentators noticed.
"And there is John W. Henry, watching from the stands. The Liverpool owner will be delighted with what he has seen this afternoon."
"Indeed. A performance like this creates excitement around the club. A 3-goal contribution from an 18-year-old forward, a team playing with genuine intensity, and a home crowd that has barely stopped singing."
The camera returned to the pitch.
Henry was still clapping.
Azim did not know whether the owner was applauding him personally or simply enjoying Liverpool's performance. It did not matter. The reception from the supporters had already given him more than enough reason to smile.
He crossed in front of the dugout.
Can stood near the entrance, holding a towel around his neck.
The German midfielder raised his hand.
Azim met it with a high five.
Smack.
"Hat-trick," Can said, shaking his head. "You really couldn't leave any goals for the rest of us?"
Azim laughed.
"You scored one."
"Exactly. I did my part."
"Then stop complaining."
Can pulled him into a quick embrace.
"Well played, brother."
Azim returned the embrace before stepping towards the seats.
A staff member handed him a bottle of water. He twisted the cap open and drank deeply, feeling the cool liquid settle against the dryness in his throat.
The physical relief was immediate.
His legs still felt heavy, and a dull ache had begun to spread through his calves. Only now, with the immediate demands of the match removed, could he fully appreciate how much ground he had covered.
He sat down beside Can and leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees while the match continued in front of him.
The remaining substitutes were spread along the bench. Adam Bogdan sat further along with a towel around his shoulders, while Kolo Touré and Connor Randall watched from their seats. Jordon Ibe was still waiting for an opportunity to enter, and Benteke was now leading Liverpool's front line.
Joe Allen had taken Can's place in midfield.
Firmino was playing behind Benteke, with Coutinho and Milner supporting the attack.
Lallana remained near the medical staff, his injured ankle receiving attention.
Azim turned towards him.
"Adam."
Lallana looked up.
"Ah, the hat-trick hero."
Azim shook his head.
"Don't start."
"Why not? You've scored 3 goals. I think I've earned the right to tease you."
Azim smiled before looking towards the midfielder's ankle.
"How is it?"
Lallana's expression became more serious.
"Sore. I can move it, but the challenge caught me awkwardly."
"Can you walk?"
"Yes. That doesn't mean I can sprint after someone for another 50 metres."
Azim gave a short laugh, though the concern did not entirely leave his face.
"I'm sorry about what happened."
Lallana studied him.
"You have already apologised."
"I know."
"Then stop apologising."
Azim looked towards the pitch.
Lallana followed his gaze.
"The pass was good," the midfielder continued. "You saw the run, and you played the ball. I made the run because I trusted you to find me. Van Dijk made the challenge. That is football."
Azim remained quiet.
Lallana nudged him lightly with his shoulder.
"Besides, if you had decided to play the safe pass instead, I would probably have complained that you missed the chance."
Azim laughed.
"That sounds like you."
"Exactly. So don't let it bother you."
For a moment, they watched the match in silence.
Lallana had been one of Liverpool's most important players in the 1st half, connecting the midfield with the attack and finding spaces that helped the team move forward. His substitution had been necessary, but Azim knew that a player who left a match through injury rarely found the experience enjoyable.
The midfielder had been close to scoring or assisting on several occasions.
He had also been the player whose run had produced the free-kick that Coutinho converted.
Azim looked towards him again.
"Rest properly. We need you."
Lallana smiled.
"I know. You lot clearly need somebody who can make the simple pass."
Azim laughed.
"Firmino is doing a good job."
"Yes, and now you are going to spend the next week telling everybody that you created the entire match."
"I don't have to tell anybody. The scoreboard does it for me."
Lallana stared at him before bursting into laughter.
"You're impossible."
Azim took another drink of water.
"Get better soon."
"I will."
The reassurance was encouraging, though neither player knew how long the injury would take to settle. The medical staff would assess it more thoroughly after the match.
For now, Lallana was able to walk, and the team had already adjusted to his absence.
Azim turned his attention towards the pitch again.
Benteke was pressing the Southampton defenders, but his approach was different. Where Azim had repeatedly curved his runs to close passing lanes and force hurried decisions, the Belgian tended to use his physical presence to pressure the centre-backs and contest long clearances.
It was not necessarily worse.
It was simply different.
Liverpool's press had changed, and Southampton were beginning to recognise the difference.
At 78 minutes, Southampton tried to create another opportunity through Davis, who moved towards the right side of the pitch before delivering a cross into the penalty area.
Pellè attacked the ball near the left side of the 6-yard box.
Sakho moved across and blocked his header.
The ball deflected away before Mignolet could be forced into another save.
Azim leaned forward on the bench.
"Good block."
Can nodded.
"Sakho has been excellent today."
Liverpool attempted to clear the ball, but Southampton recovered possession and continued their attack. The visitors were no longer trying to protect the result. With only minutes remaining, they had little choice but to send more players forward.
That approach created more space for Liverpool's counterattacks, but it also meant Southampton could get more bodies into dangerous positions around the penalty area.
Azim watched with interest.
Without him leading the press, Liverpool were still working hard, but the initial pressure had lost some of its precision. Benteke could close the centre-backs, though his movements did not always guide the ball towards the same areas that Azim had targeted earlier.
Allen and Lucas had to cover more space behind the front line.
Can, sitting beside Azim, noticed it as well.
"They are getting further forward now."
Azim nodded.
"They're desperate."
"Would you have kept pressing them?"
"Yes, but not every time. If Benteke closes the centre-back, Firmino needs to take away the pass into midfield. Otherwise, they can play around the 1st line."
Can glanced towards the pitch.
"Different players, different responsibilities."
"Exactly."
Azim settled back into his seat.
The decision to substitute him had made sense, but he could see the difference his movement had made. Liverpool had not suddenly become a poor pressing team without him. They had simply lost a player whose particular combination of stamina, awareness and positioning had helped coordinate the 1st line of pressure.
The other players would need to compensate.
That was part of professional football.
No player could perform every responsibility alone, and no team could depend on 1 player to solve every problem.
Southampton's next attack developed along the right flank.
Cédric collected a pass near the touchline and advanced before finding Tadić, who moved inside and looked for a passing lane towards Pellè.
Liverpool's defenders remained compact.
Skrtel stayed close to Pellè, while Sakho watched the movement around the near side of the penalty area. Lucas and Allen protected the central space, preventing Davis from receiving comfortably between the lines.
Tadić attempted a through ball anyway.
The pass was weak.
Allen stepped across and intercepted it.
"Good!" Milner shouted from the pitch. "Play forward!"
Allen looked up and passed towards Firmino.
The Brazilian turned and carried the ball several metres before laying it off to Milner, who had moved into space on the right.
Milner slowed the attack rather than forcing a pass into the crowded penalty area.
Liverpool retained possession.
Azim nodded approvingly.
"Good decision."
Can glanced towards him.
"You would have gone forward."
"Maybe."
"That is not reassuring."
Azim smiled.
"If the space is there, I take it. If the space is not there, I don't pretend it is."
Can looked back towards the pitch.
"That sounds suspiciously like something Klopp said."
Azim laughed.
"I listen sometimes."
The match continued.
Southampton were still looking for a goal, while Liverpool were trying to keep the ball and run down the remaining time.
The scoreboard showed 6-0.
For Azim, it was a satisfying sight, but he knew the match was not yet finished.
He had already made his contribution.
Now he could only watch and trust his teammates to complete the job.
At 79 minutes, Ronald Koeman introduced Gastón Ramírez for Steven Davis.
The substitution gave Southampton another attacking option, and Ramírez immediately moved into the space behind Pellè, looking to connect the midfield with the striker.
His presence made their attack more direct.
Southampton began sending the ball towards the wings, hoping to create opportunities through crosses and second balls.
At 80 minutes, Mané received a pass near the right side of Liverpool's penalty area.
Cédric overlapped, drawing Moreno away from the winger.
Mané shifted the ball onto his right foot and attempted a shot from a difficult angle.
The effort sailed over the crossbar.
Mané turned away in frustration, spreading his arms towards Cédric.
"Give it earlier!"
Cédric pointed towards the space behind Moreno.
"You were the one who came inside!"
Mané shook his head.
Liverpool restarted from the goal area.
Mignolet passed towards Skrtel, who moved the ball across to Sakho.
Southampton tried to press the centre-backs, but Benteke's positioning forced them to respect Liverpool's ability to play directly into the striker.
The Belgian moved towards the ball and used his body to shield it from Van Dijk.
He laid the ball off to Firmino, who played towards Milner.
Liverpool advanced into midfield.
The attack was not especially dangerous, but it prevented Southampton from sustaining their pressure.
Azim watched closely.
Benteke was performing a different job from the one he had been asked to do. Rather than dropping constantly between the lines, he was providing a physical reference point, allowing Liverpool to retain possession when the ball was played directly into him.
It was useful.
It was also a reminder that there were different ways to influence a match.
Azim had spent the afternoon making defenders move through intelligent positioning and passing. Benteke could help Liverpool by holding the ball, winning aerial challenges and giving the midfield time to advance.
Neither style had to replace the other entirely.
The best team was the one that understood when each approach was useful.
Southampton continued to push forward.