At 82 minutes, Ward-Prowse delivered a cross towards Pellè, who rose between Skrtel and Sakho.
The striker managed to make contact, directing the ball towards the left side of the 6-yard box.
Sakho recovered and blocked it before it could reach the goal.
The clearance travelled towards the edge of the penalty area.
Ramírez attempted to recover the ball, but Allen arrived first and pushed it towards Lucas.
Liverpool cleared towards the centre circle.
Azim clapped from the dugout.
"Good defending!"
Lallana, sitting nearby with his ankle supported, nodded.
"They are doing well to stop the crosses."
"Mané is still dangerous."
"He always is."
The 2 players watched the pitch.
Southampton were creating more pressure than they had immediately after Azim's substitution, but Liverpool's defenders continued to make the important interventions. The scoreline remained 6-0, and the home side had opportunities to counter whenever the visitors committed too many players forward.
At 83 minutes, Liverpool won a corner after Cédric deflected a pass behind.
Milner approached the corner flag.
Coutinho moved towards the edge of the penalty area.
Benteke positioned himself between Fonte and Van Dijk, preparing to attack the delivery.
The ball came in towards the near post.
Van Dijk rose and headed it away.
Allen recovered the second ball, but his attempted pass towards Firmino was intercepted by Wanyama.
Southampton were unable to turn the recovery into an immediate attack, however, because Lucas stepped across and forced the midfielder towards the touchline.
Wanyama passed backwards.
Liverpool recovered their shape.
Azim nodded.
"Good. Don't chase them blindly."
Can glanced at him.
"Are you still coaching from the bench?"
Azim grinned.
"Somebody has to."
Can laughed.
"Klopp might give you a whistle next time."
"Then I will make you run extra laps."
Can immediately raised both hands.
"Take the whistle away from him."
The exchange brought a smile to Lallana's face, although he winced slightly as he shifted his ankle.
Azim looked towards him.
"Careful."
"I'm fine. Stop watching me."
Azim leaned back.
"All right."
For a moment, the 3 of them watched the match without speaking.
The stadium remained loud, but the frantic atmosphere of the opening half had settled into something more relaxed. Liverpool were comfortably ahead, and supporters were enjoying the performance.
Then Southampton found a way to score.
At 84 minutes, James Milner fouled Bertrand near the left side of Liverpool's defensive half.
Marriner blew his whistle and awarded Southampton a free-kick.
Milner raised his hands immediately.
"I was going for the ball!"
The referee pointed towards the spot of the foul.
"You were late. Keep your challenges under control."
Milner nodded and stepped away.
Ward-Prowse moved towards the ball, but Ramírez took responsibility for the delivery.
The Southampton midfielder looked into the penalty area, where Pellè and Van Dijk were preparing to attack the cross.
Liverpool's defenders organised themselves.
Sakho stood close to Pellè.
Skrtel remained near Van Dijk.
Lucas positioned himself in front of the defensive line, ready to challenge for any second ball.
Mignolet moved towards the centre of his goal.
"Stay with them!" Milner shouted. "Don't let them run free!"
Ramírez delivered the ball.
The cross curled towards the penalty area, carrying beyond the first defender and into the space near the far post.
Pellè moved towards the delivery.
Skrtel challenged him.
The ball dropped into the crowded area, where Ramírez had continued his run after taking the free-kick.
He rose and directed a headed pass towards Mané, who was standing near the goal.
For a moment, the Liverpool defence had lost sight of the winger.
Mané reacted first.
He turned his body and struck with his right foot from very close range.
The ball travelled towards the bottom-left corner.
Mignolet tried to react, but the distance was too short.
The net rippled.
Liverpool 6, Southampton 1.
The Southampton players celebrated with visible relief.
Mané sprinted towards the corner, shouting as Ramírez caught up with him.
The visitors had finally found a goal.
It would not change the result, but it mattered to them. After spending most of the afternoon chasing Liverpool's movement, they had found a way to create an opportunity through a set piece and the quick reactions around the penalty area.
Azim stood up from the dugout.
"Unlucky."
Can looked towards him.
"They switched off for a moment."
Azim nodded.
"They stopped tracking the runner at the far post."
Lallana leaned forward, watching the replay on the stadium screen.
"That is what happens when you lose concentration. The delivery was good, but we should have dealt with the second ball."
Azim remained standing.
He felt a flicker of frustration, even though he was no longer on the pitch.
He had spent the match pressing relentlessly and helping Liverpool restrict Southampton's opportunities. Now the visitors had scored after a set piece, reminding everyone that a comfortable lead did not remove the need for defensive discipline.
Klopp was already calling towards his players.
"Concentrate! The game is not over!"
Milner gestured towards the centre circle.
"Come on! Reset!"
Southampton restarted.
Liverpool still led by 5 goals, but the final minutes would require them to remain organised rather than simply wait for the whistle.
At 87 minutes, Sakho won a free-kick in Liverpool's defensive half after Pellè fouled him while challenging for possession.
Marriner stopped play and spoke briefly to the striker.
"Watch your arms. You are making the challenge more dangerous than it needs to be."
Pellè spread his hands.
"I was trying to hold my position."
"Then do it without pushing him."
Sakho rose and passed the ball towards Lucas.
Liverpool kept possession, moving it away from the penalty area and forcing Southampton to chase.
The visitors attempted to recover the ball near the touchline, but Coutinho and Milner combined to move it into the centre.
Allen received and passed backwards to Lucas.
The Brazilian looked towards the opposite flank before finding Clyne.
Liverpool were no longer trying to attack at every opportunity.
They were protecting the ball and making Southampton work for possession.
Azim watched with approval.
The final minutes were not the time to prove that Liverpool could score another goal. The team had already done enough in the attacking third. What mattered was keeping the defensive structure intact, avoiding unnecessary challenges and making sure Southampton could not build another dangerous attack.
At 89 minutes, Liverpool won a corner after Cédric deflected the ball behind.
Milner took it short, receiving a return pass before attempting to keep the ball near the touchline.
Southampton pressed aggressively.
Cédric approached him.
Milner played backwards to Allen, who passed towards Coutinho.
The Brazilian was forced to retreat under pressure from Wanyama, but he managed to keep possession and find Lucas.
Liverpool continued moving the ball.
The seconds passed.
Mané's frustration was becoming increasingly visible.
The winger had worked hard throughout the match, but Liverpool's defensive shape had restricted many of his opportunities. He had scored Southampton's only goal, yet the scoreboard still showed a heavy defeat.
At 90 minutes, he chased Firmino near the halfway line.
The Brazilian had received the ball with his back to goal and attempted to turn away from the pressure.
Mané arrived late and caught him with a poor challenge.
Marriner blew his whistle.
"Free-kick, Liverpool!"
Firmino stumbled but remained on his feet.
Mané immediately turned towards the referee.
"I was going for the ball!"
Marriner reached for his pocket and produced a yellow card.
"That is a reckless challenge. You have been warned."
Mané looked at the card in disbelief.
"Come on!"
Marriner's expression remained firm.
"Walk away."
Firmino rubbed his leg and looked towards Mané.
"You nearly took me with you."
Mané shook his head.
"Don't exaggerate."
Firmino gave him a humourless smile.
"Then stop making the challenges."
The players separated.
Azim watched from the dugout, his attention fixed on the referee and the Southampton winger.
Mané was angry.
The scoreline had become a personal frustration, and he was allowing that frustration to influence his decisions.
Milner looked towards the players.
"Keep your heads! We are nearly there!"
Liverpool prepared to take the free-kick.
The ball was played short.
Moreno received near the left touchline and attempted to move forward.
Mané chased him.
Moreno touched the ball beyond the winger and accelerated into the space along the line.
Mané stretched out a leg and caught him with another late challenge.
Marriner's whistle sounded immediately.
"Free-kick, Liverpool!"
The referee approached Mané.
The winger spread his arms.
"What now?"
Marriner reached for his pocket again.
The 2nd yellow card appeared.
Then came the red.
Sadio Mané had been sent off.
The Southampton winger stood still for a moment, staring at the referee before turning away in frustration.
Koeman shouted from the touchline.
"Sadio! Leave it!"
Mané gestured towards the officials, but he did not approach them again.
He walked towards the tunnel, his head lowered.
Azim watched him leave.
He understood the frustration. Being beaten so heavily was painful, especially for a player who had worked hard to create opportunities throughout the match.
But frustration did not justify reckless challenges.
Mané had been dangerous because of his pace, movement and willingness to attack space. Those qualities had given Southampton their best attacking moments.
Now, with the match almost finished, he had allowed anger to undermine them.
Azim looked towards the pitch.
Football required more than the ability to perform under pressure.
It also required the discipline to remain useful when pressure became uncomfortable.
Marriner checked his watch.
The remaining seconds passed without another goal.
Southampton attempted to keep possession, but Liverpool's players remained organised and denied them the chance to build another attack.
Allen passed towards Lucas.
Lucas moved the ball to Can's replacement in the central channel before finding Milner.
The captain slowed the tempo.
Clyne moved forward, offering a passing option on the right.
Milner played towards him.
Clyne returned it to Allen.
Liverpool kept the ball.
The referee looked at his watch again.
Then the final whistle sounded.
Liverpool 6, Southampton 1.
Anfield erupted into applause and chants.
"LIVERPOOL! LIVERPOOL! LIVERPOOL!"
Azim rose from the dugout, clapping as the Liverpool players gathered near the centre circle.
The result was emphatic.
The performance had included 6 goals, 3 from Azim, and countless moments in which Liverpool's pressing, movement and passing had prevented Southampton from settling into their preferred style.
The late Southampton goal had stopped the scoreline from becoming a clean sheet, but it could not erase what Liverpool had achieved.
Klopp walked towards the pitch to congratulate his players.
He embraced Milner, shook hands with Lucas and spoke briefly with the defenders. His expression was one of satisfaction, though he remained composed enough to remind his players to acknowledge the supporters.
Azim walked out from the dugout and joined his teammates.
He was still wearing his Liverpool #36 shirt, damp from the match, with a tracksuit jacket draped over his shoulders.
Coutinho approached first.
"Hat-trick," the Brazilian said, smiling.
Azim grinned.
"Free-kick."
Coutinho pointed towards him.
"Don't start."
Firmino joined them, laughing.
"You have made this unbearable already."
Azim looked towards the scoreboard.
"6-1. I think I can live with it."
Can approached, now wearing his tracksuit top.
"Just remember that the next match starts at 0-0."
Azim nodded.
"I know."
Milner joined the group.
"Then we prepare for it properly. No celebrations in training until the work is done."
Sakho, who had arrived behind them, gave a theatrical whistle.
"Listen to our captain. No fun until the work is done."
Milner pointed towards him.
"Especially you."
The players laughed.
For a moment, the mood was light.
Then Azim noticed Van Dijk walking towards him from the Southampton group.
The Dutch defender had changed out of the anger he had displayed during the match. He looked tired and disappointed, but he was no longer avoiding Azim's gaze.
He stopped a few feet away.
"Azim."
The Liverpool forward turned.
"Virgil."
Van Dijk glanced at the Liverpool shirt Azim was wearing.
"Can we swap shirts?"
Azim raised his eyebrows.
"You want my shirt?"
Van Dijk gave him a dry look.
"You scored 3 goals against me. I thought I should keep a reminder."
Azim laughed.
"You could keep the memory. It might help you defend better next time."
Van Dijk shook his head.
"You're going to be unbearable, aren't you?"
"Only if you keep asking questions you already know the answers to."
Van Dijk laughed despite himself.
Azim removed his tracksuit jacket and pulled his Liverpool shirt over his head.
The fabric was damp with sweat, and the number #36 was still visible across the back.
He held it out to Van Dijk.
The defender handed over his Southampton #17 shirt in return.
They exchanged the shirts and shook hands.
Azim looked at the shirt in his hands.
"Not bad."
Van Dijk looked at him.
"You have just embarrassed me in front of 44,171 people, and now we swap shirt."
Azim draped the Southampton shirt over his shoulder.
"Don't sulk, Virgil. Just join Liverpool."
Van Dijk stared at him.
Azim continued, his smile widening.
"Then you can be sad in training only, not during a real match."
For a moment, Van Dijk appeared genuinely speechless.
Then he burst out laughing.
"You are unbelievable."
Azim laughed with him.
"Think about it."
Van Dijk shook his head, still smiling as he began walking towards the tunnel.
"Get out of here, lad."
Azim laughed and took a few steps after him before turning back towards the Liverpool supporters. Anfield was still singing, the familiar chant rolling around the stadium.
"LIVERPOOL! LIVERPOOL! LIVERPOOL!"
He raised his hand to acknowledge the crowd, then glanced down at the Southampton shirt draped over his arm.
"Not a bad souvenir," he murmured.
"Enjoying yourself, are you?"
Azim turned.
Andre Marriner was approaching with the match ball tucked beneath his arm. The referee had a faint smile on his face, accompanied by one of his assistant officials.
Azim looked at the ball, then at Marriner.
"Something for me?"
Marriner held it out.
"Hat-trick hero gets to keep the match ball. Congratulations, lad. That's 3 goals in 1 match. Not a bad afternoon's work."
Azim accepted the ball with both hands, his grin widening.
"Thank you, referee."
Marriner nodded towards the ball.
"So, how many of these have you got at home?"
Azim pretended to consider the question seriously. He looked down at the ball, turning it slightly between his palms before raising his eyes to the referee.
"2. For now."
For a moment, Marriner simply stared at him.
Then he burst out laughing.
One of the assistant officials chuckled beside him, shaking his head at the youngster's confidence.
"For now?" Marriner repeated. "You planning on collecting them all?"
Azim shrugged, completely unrepentant.
"Would be a nice collection, wouldn't it?"
"Well, keep scoring like that and you might need a bigger shelf."
The assistant referee laughed again.
Azim joined them, his laughter carrying easily across the pitch. The exchange was brief and light-hearted, a welcome moment of warmth after an afternoon filled with fierce challenges, tactical battles and Southampton's growing frustration.
Marriner gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder.
"Enjoy it, Azim. You've earned it today."
"I will. Thank you."
The referee moved away to attend to the remaining formalities, still smiling as he spoke to his assistant.
Azim watched him leave, then held the match ball against his side while balancing Van Dijk's shirt over his other arm.
A hat-trick ball.
Another memory to take home.
And, apparently, another reason to make ambitious promises.
He shook his head with a quiet laugh before turning towards the tunnel.
The afternoon had not gone perfectly. Lallana had been injured, Southampton had managed to score late in the match, and Liverpool had briefly lost their defensive concentration at a set piece. Mané's dismissal had also cast an unfortunate shadow over Southampton's final minutes.
But Liverpool had won 6-1.
Azim had scored a hat-trick, helped create opportunities for his teammates and learned how to turn the attention of a determined marker into space for others.
He had discovered that beating a defender was not always about dribbling past him.
Sometimes, it meant making him follow.
Sometimes, it meant releasing the ball before he could challenge.
And sometimes, it meant understanding that the most dangerous player on the pitch was not necessarily the one who touched the ball most often.
As Azim entered the tunnel, he could still hear the chant echoing through the stadium.
"AZIM! AZIM! AZIM!"
He tightened his grip on the match ball.
The goals would be remembered.
The scoreline would be celebrated.
The ball would have its own place in his growing collection.
But the most important lesson of the afternoon was the one he would carry into training the following week.
Fluid football was not about making every player move constantly. It was about moving with purpose, trusting the players around you and making the opponent choose which danger to accept.
That afternoon, Southampton had tried to stop #36.
By the final whistle, they had discovered that stopping him was only the beginning of the problem.