Rise of a Football God

After the game against West Ham on April 14th, when Sam reported to the next Fulham training session in Craven Cottage, his teammates and his coach could tell that something changed immediately.

Sam's perception of space already underwent a drastic evolution.

With his intermediate mastery of space previously, Sam was already a master of spatial awareness, sensing and manipulating space on a football pitch but after inheriting the great Thomas Muller's inheritance, Sam evolved.

Sam became the next Space Interpreter of football.

In Germany, there was a saying about the Bayern legend. Despite already being on the wrong side of 30, the great German, Thomas Muller still plied his trade with Bayern Munich in the German top flight.

This was not because of his insane physicality, nor even his unreal talent.

Thomas Muller was always talented, but there were far more talented footballers when he first burst into the elite tier of football decades ago.

The reason why Thomas Muller outlasted and outshined all his rivals was because of his football intelligence. His football I.Q was off the charts, and this was what enabled him to become the first true Space Interpreter in football history.

Thomas Muller did not win games by abusing his physicality or speed, not even his dribbling ability. In all these eye-catching traits, he was just above average.

The reason why Thomas Muller stayed at the top of football for almost 2 decades was because of his uncanny ability to interpret space.

The vision to spot openings in enemy formations, to be that 3rd man, drifting into that blind spot, this was Thomas Muller's strength.

And now, Sam became the great German's heir.

In Fulham's next training session, the whole Fulham squad was flabbergasted. To them, Sam was already an elite footballer with his skills, his mentality was just the cherry on top.

But with Sam's suddenly improved understanding over spatial awareness, his teammates truly started seeing him like a monster.

As for Coach Marco Silva, he felt on top of the world.

'Damn! I'm definitely the luckiest coach in the world!'

'Is this what Pep Guardiola felt when he first handled a young Lionel Messi?'

Any comparison with Lionel Messi was the greatest compliment that any young player could get in football. Marco Silva comparing Sam with the great Argentine in his mind only showed how much he rated his young prodigy.

Fulham's next game was not an easy game though.

After demolishing West Ham away from home, in their next premier league game, Fulham would be playing at home in Craven Cottage but they were faced with another tough test in Liverpool.

The merseysiders would be taking a trip to Fulham, London.

In the build-up to the game, Sam trained like mad. His new upgrade in the form of his new inheritance did not get to his head.

Sam already learned to never underestimate his opponents. Besides, he would be a fool to underestimate a team of Liverpool's caliber.

This was why Sam put his all in the build-up to this game.

And of course, he kept on motivating his teammates.

'This brat!'

'We can't let him upstage us like this!'

'Damn! I feel old beside him but I won't give up!'

'Dream on Sam if you think I'll lose to a brat like you!'

'I'll train like mad!'

With this mentality, the 0-7 thrashing in April 14th against West Ham didn't register too much in the Fulham players' minds as they prepared rigorously for their next test in the premier league.

Time moved fast and in no time, the D-day for the test was here.

It was 21st of April.

(Premier league:)

(Fulham – Liverpool)

(Date: 21st April, 2024)

Like usual, both teams started with their strongest lineups.

Fulham started with their regular 4-2-3-1 formation. Muniz started up top and behind him were the trio of Alex Iwobi, Sam, and De Cordova-Reid.

Behind the trio were Joao Palhinha and Lukic, while the 4-man defense comprised Castagne, Adarabioyo, Calvin Bassey, and Robinson.

Naturally, Bernd Leno started in between the posts for Fulham.

On the opposite side, Liverpool started with an imperious lineup in a 4-3-3 formation. The trio of Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota, and Luis Diaz started up top.

Behind the forward three was another trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo, and Harvey Elliot while the defense was a star-studded lineup of Andy Robertson, Virgil Van Dijk, Quansah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

In between the posts stood the reliable figure of Alisson Becker.

After being sidelined by injury for a time, the Liverpool duo, the attacking right back, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Allison were back in the lineup, making Liverpool even more dangerous.

Despite the fact that Fulham were playing at home, the odds were against them. And having been knocked out by them in the Carabao Cup, a rampant Liverpool side was down for a revenge game.

It was going to be a tough test but Fulham was not ready to go down without fighting.

Heck, they were not ready to go down at all.

FWEEEE!

As soon as the referee's whistle sounded, Liverpool FC started kick-off, playing the opener to an unforgettable game that soon unfolded.

During the first few minutes of this game, the game was tight as both teams played with incredible energy and intensity.

Liverpool started the game imperiously but like a stubborn Chihuahua, Fulham refused to give up, giving them back pound for pound.

Despite Fulham's impressive gameplay, after a lot of pressure, Liverpool opened the floodgates first and it was their talismanic right back who did it.

After a foul by Palhinha just outside the Fulham 18-yard box, Trent Alexander-Arnold stood before a free-kick and as soon as the ref's whistle sounded, he did it.

After a short run, this right back whipped the ball expertly with his right foot, unleashing a curled shot towards the top left corner.

Bernd Leno jumped but his hand could not reach the ball.

It was a goal.

"GOALLLL…!" The away fans section in Craven Cottage exploded.

In the 32nd minute of this game, Arnold scored to give Liverpool the lead.

The attacking right back with a smile on his face wheeled off towards the corner flag before spreading his arms in a shrug. In a sense, his celebration meant, Arnold never left, I'm back!

After that goal, it seemed like the momentum would finally switch but Fulham didn't give up, digging into this game led by Sam in midfield.

And for the first game, Sam got to show his improved spatial awareness proficiency, showcasing his grand title as a space interpreter.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

He was combating in the midfield against seasoned and talented maestros on the Liverpool side but he didn't look out of place at all.

And of course, he was the one who eventually did it.

In the 45th plus 2 minutes, Sam drifted into space where he received a pass from Muniz in the 18-yard box. As Liverpool players quickly closed him down, Sam shifted and shuffled the ball, looking for space, then…

Bam!

With the heel of his boot, he set up Castagne, the marauding Fulham right back who did not hesitate to pull the trigger.

WHOM!

Castagne's shot reverberated like a rocket, leaving Allisson rooted to the spot as the ball tore its way into the roof of the Liverpool net.

"GOALLLL…!" Craven Cottage exploded.

Castagne whirled off away to the corner flag, celebrating wildly.

Just before half-time, Fulham leveled the score. They were still very much in the game.

This was a team in imperious form.