Liverpool Legends XI vs Chelsea Legends: Starting lineup, confirmed team news for charity match
The Liverpool Legends lineup for this this afternoon's clash against Chelsea Legends has now been confirmed.
20 years on from Liverpool's memorable 2004/05 campaign in which they won the Champions League in dramatic fashion, a rivalry with Chelsea - whom they beat in a rather controversial semi-final second leg at Anfield, will be reignited.
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW LIVERPOOL LEGENDS VS CHELSEA LEGENDS LIVE!
Goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, the hero in the penalty shootout as the Reds beat AC Milan to clinch European football's elite prize, starts behind a back four that contains Sami Hyypia, Ragnar Klavan, Martin Kelly and Gregory Vignal.
Steven Gerrard starts in midfield alongside Mohamed Sissoko, Igor Biscan and Jay Spearing. The recognised attackers selected by Sir Kenny Dalglish are Ryan Babel and Dirk Kuyt.
On Wednesday it was revealed that Natasha Dowie will make history at Anfield this weekend by becoming the first woman to feature in the annual legends game. She is on the bench alongside the likes of Yossi Benayoun, Peter Crouch, Djibril Cisse, Mark Gonzalez, Fabio Aurelio, Albert Riera and David James.
Liverpool Legends XI: Dudek, Biscan, Hyypia, Klavan, Kelly, Spearing, Sissoko, Babel, Vignal, Gerrard, Kuyt.
Subs: James, Westerveld, Aurelio, Kvarme, Benayoun, Gonzalez, Riera, Cisse, Crouch, Dowie, Sinama-Pongolle.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
40 minutes ago
- New York Times
Liverpool and the homegrown player rule: Is there an issue and who could suffer?
There were lots of reasons why Liverpool wanted to sign Jeremie Frimpong. His talent, versatility and strength of personality were all compelling factors in his arrival last month but there was another significant plus to recruiting him: he would count as a homegrown player. The Netherlands international qualifies because of his time at Manchester City as a teenager, and this fact helped convince Liverpool's powerbrokers he was perfect to bring in after experiencing a number of homegrown exits. Advertisement This is not a minor consideration. Premier League rules restrict the number of non-homegrown players who can be registered in a squad of up to 25 to 17, and Liverpool are in a state of flux in that regard heading into next season. So what does it mean for the club as they continue with plans to also sign Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez in this window? Since 2008, Premier League clubs have been required to name a minimum number of players who have either come through their own youth academy or that of another English team in their official squad. At the end of each transfer window, the 20 Premier League members must submit a maximum 25-man list. Eight of those must fulfil the 'Homegrown Player Rule', therefore limiting the club concerned to a maximum of 17 who are non-homegrown. The Premier League defines a homegrown player as someone 'who, irrespective of nationality or age, has been registered with any FA-affiliated club for at least three years before their 21st birthday (or the end of the season during which he turns 21)'. If a club do not have the required eight homegrown players, their maximum squad size gets reduced. So if you have only, say, six homegrown players, you can only name 23. Clubs can also use an unlimited number of under-21 players to bolster their squads. For the 2025-26 Premier League, these will be academy kids born on or after January 1, 2004. That depends on coach Arne Slot's faith in his core group of players and whether he's comfortable turning to youngsters to make up the numbers. Last season, Liverpool named a 22-man squad with seven homegrown players, and three of those — Trent Alexander-Arnold, Caoimhin Kelleher and young midfielder Tom Hill — have now left the club. Goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros is also expected to move on loan, and the futures of Joe Gomez and Tyler Morton remain uncertain. Advertisement That leaves Curtis Jones as the only guaranteed homegrown player to roll over from last season. Frimpong will be included, as detailed above, while Conor Bradley, who turns 22 in July, will add to the number as he becomes too old to be in the under-21s section. The same applies to 22-year-olds Jarell Quansah and Harvey Elliott, although both players are attracting transfer interest from elsewhere after hardly featuring under Slot last season. Just a few days ago, Elliott said he is wary of 'wasting years of my career' sitting on the sidelines, while Bayer Leverkusen have an interest in Quansah. If needed, Slot can promote any of his youngsters into the squad without registering them, so Trey Nyoni, James McConnell, Jayden Danns or Lewis Koumas could be used, although some of these players will have been earmarked for loan moves next season. The bigger issue is how to fit so many non-homegrown players into the squad with the expected new arrivals. Last season, Liverpool named 15 non-homegrowns: Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Federico Chiesa, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo. But clearly, some of those will have to be moved on in the summer window. Assuming that Kerkez and Wirtz do join, this is the current roster of Liverpool's senior players and their age at the date when Premier League squads have to be submitted, with the 18 non-homegrown players marked in blue. Giorgi Mamardashvili is expected to play backup to Alisson as he replaces Kelleher following the Irishman's recent move to Brentford. An easy fix to replace Jaros, should he leave on loan, would be to name a homegrown goalkeeper — most likely Harvey Davies — as the third-choice. As Davies was born four months before the under-21 cut-off date, he wouldn't take up a senior spot in the squad, either, opening up the possibility for another addition. Yet without any changes elsewhere, that's still one more non-homegrown player than last season. Add in Bayer Leverkusen forward Wirtz, who Liverpool hope to make their record signing, and Kerkez, the left-back they are pushing to sign from Bournemouth, and that's up to three more than last season, so 18 in total. As already explained, the maximum number of non-homegrown players is capped at 17, but only if a full 25-man squad is announced. Although Slot likes to work with a smaller group, preferring to have a player competing for each position with backup provided from the youngsters in the group, he could make the numbers work in order to get the maximum allowance. Advertisement The question, then, is how to keep the squad strong with enough quality homegrown players while also fitting in every non-homegrown player deemed essential for the season ahead. If Slot sticks with a 22-man squad like last season, he'll only have 15 places available for non-homegrowns, and that would have Tsimikas, Nunez and Chiesa looking the most vulnerable. As part of this balancing act, Liverpool may even decide to move others around.
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Newcastle's summer transfer strategy: Are fans right to worry about the lack of activity?
After three successive transfer windows without strengthening their first XI, Newcastle United will be active in the market this summer, but nothing has happened yet. High-profile targets already appear to be heading elsewhere, prompting the usual array of fury, froth and frustration on social media. Advertisement When the 2025 close-season's Club World Cup-enforced first mini-window shut on Tuesday, Newcastle had done little more than announce their retained list, with no senior arrivals. The window reopens on Tuesday, June 16, and runs until the night of September 1. With Paul Mitchell, the sporting director, standing down effective June 30, and Darren Eales, the chief executive, already serving his notice, are Newcastle in a state of limbo? Or are they merely biding their time? Our Newcastle writers Chris Waugh and George Caulkin examine the pressing issues at the club. Caulkin: This is multi-layered. Most obviously, head coach Eddie Howe needs some help. Last season's achievements by him and his players represent a miracle, given the discomfort of a year ago, when the squad was weakened. Howe's first XI needs refreshing — greater competition. For too long, motivation has come from within. Those players now need pushing via an injection of quality. Returning to the Champions League next season also gives them another front to fight on. Two years ago, when they last played in that competition, a skinny squad was stretched to translucency by injury. Newcastle require more depth. GO DEEPER Newcastle are back in the Champions League. It changes everything After the PSR (the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules) debacle of last summer, Newcastle are in a far stronger position, particularly after recouping fees for Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly in January. So they have money available, but there are caveats. They are not the biggest wage-payers and will not be taken advantage of when it comes to the so-called 'Saudi tax' — a reference to the deep pockets of their majority owners, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). Waugh: Fundamentally, Newcastle want to significantly bolster Howe's squad while maintaining financial prudence. The owners are determined to avoid going multiple windows without investing again; they want to leave PSR headroom to recruit again in next year's winter window and beyond. Advertisement Newcastle are adamant they will not overpay for players, though, believing present asking prices are inflated. However, sizeable expenditure is anticipated; the boardroom-level desire to support Howe within sustainable limitations is absolute. There is a recognition that the squad's average age, especially at centre-half and goalkeeper, requires lowering. The majority of players being targeted are between 21 and 24; they have been recognised for their elite potential, given Newcastle cannot afford to bring in multiple established stars. Those under consideration are players who can improve the first XI and, so, the squad. Quality will take precedence over quantity. A complicating factor is UEFA's homegrown quota. Only Sean Longstaff qualifies as a 'club-trained' senior player and, while Newcastle believe they should have the depth to manage regardless, this detail has been a consideration. With John Ruddy, the reserve goalkeeper, in negotiations over an extension, now free-agents Fraser Forster and Tim Krul are unlikely to be recruited, even if their names were mentioned internally, given their homegrown credentials. Waugh: The priorities are obvious. A right-sided centre-back and right-winger (or at least another attacking player of some sort) are wanted, alongside a goalkeeper. A versatile forward is desired, and a midfielder may arrive. Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo was their top right-winger target, but his preference to join Manchester United has led to a re-evaluation. Previous offers were made for Nottingham Forest's Anthony Elanga, Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth is admired at Newcastle and Brighton & Hove Albion's Joao Pedro is a long-term target. The club must determine whether they have the capacity to sign an adaptable attacker, a right-winger, or both. Advertisement At centre-half, Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi is still highly regarded and James Trafford of Burnley is the priority goalkeeper target. Further details can be found in the latest DealSheet. Caulkin: That idea of priority is fluid. There have been initial negotiations with Burnley over Trafford, the optics of which are not ideal, given his arrival would leave Newcastle with six goalkeepers if nobody departs before then. Yet it isn't a case of saying it should be a right-winger who comes in first. Newcastle are responding to where the market takes them and acting accordingly. Two summers ago, they already had established full-backs, but went out and signed Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, who are both fundamental to their team now. It is not all about immediacy. Clubs who are not in need of money can hold firm. Priorities change according to circumstances. Caulkin: On the face of it, sub-optimally. 'Speed is key for us and I've reiterated that many times internally, because we have to be dynamic,' Howe said last month. 'We have to be ready to complete things very quickly because good players don't hang around for long.' Since then, Mbeumo has seemingly become unobtainable. Ipswich striker Liam Delap opted for Chelsea. Defender Dean Huijsen left Bournemouth for Real Madrid. With Manchester City already spending big and Liverpool pushing to sign Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez to go with early signing Jeremie Frimpong, it doesn't feel like Newcastle are moving with the dynamism Howe referenced. Yet good players are going to attract rival suitors, and when it comes to salaries, Newcastle cannot compete with a flailing Manchester United, let alone City, Liverpool or Chelsea. Other targets may simply not be available yet. One long-established mantra at Newcastle under PIF's ownership is 'process-driven' decision-making. The problem is that getting transfers over the line often requires being fleet of foot; how and whether this can work, given the flux at director level within the club, is not yet clear. Advertisement Waugh: It is only June 12. As dismissive as that sounds, it is important. Most players are either on holiday, have just finished international duty or are off to take part in the Club World Cup, while club executives are also on their breaks. The majority of the deals concluded so far have involved release clauses (Huijsen, Delap and Matheus Cunha's move from Wolves to Manchester United) or have been driven by sides wanting players signed in time for the Club World Cup. Liverpool are perhaps an exception. Putting last year's PSR-dominated window aside, Newcastle's first senior signing of the corresponding 2022-23 one was Nick Pope on June 23 (excluding Matt Targett's loan becoming permanent) and the following summer, it was Sandro Tonali on July 3. Mitchell's exit is inopportune and Howe would ideally have liked a signing by now, but it is premature to be dismayed. Waugh: Sort of, in the sense some fans are (to an extent, understandably) growing concerned about the lack of incoming. Internally, the mood is not as extreme. There has been frustration, but speed costs money and Newcastle are confident fees will become more realistic as the summer progresses. There is a recognition that it is worth waiting for the targets they want, rather than rushing to acquire someone who is not the ideal fit. Most targets whose names are in the public domain are at English clubs, leading some fans to suggest Newcastle are prioritising Premier League experience over cost. Yet the message from some insiders is that the market in continental Europe is also distorted and will not necessarily prove much cheaper. Newcastle insist they are ready to act — and, crucially, can do so even before June 30. Those at the top are confident the club will end the summer in a far stronger position than they started it. Advertisement Caulkin: Managers always want more. They always want business done early. Howe talks about being motivated by a fear of failure, so he will be fretting. The first team continue to drive everything at Newcastle; if they are considered an elite outfit, it's because of what the head coach has done, not because of their infrastructure or commercial income. So far, the help he needs has not materialised. The situations with Eales and Mitchell — two roles which should shape Newcastle's future – do not encourage stability. The Athletic has spoken to other senior figures who have talked about their uncertainty in terms of the bigger picture. Ultimately, that uncertainty will not dissipate until new appointments are in place and their vision established. The message is that Eales' successor is close to being determined — David Hopkinson, a former executive at Real Madrid, is a leading candidate — and the search for Mitchell's replacement is underway. In the short term, Newcastle have to demonstrate that the status quo remains operational and then that a new leadership model can get things done while building relationships. That first signing, whenever it comes, will calm nerves. Caulkin: The club maintain it is 'business as usual'. Mitchell will continue to direct Newcastle's transfer policy — with Howe retaining the final say — until June 30, when Eales is expected to pick up the slack. A year in charge without making a game-changing signing would not be the glossiest entry on Mitchell's CV, but this is not driving his agenda. Newcastle's plan for this entire window is his plan, at least in part. Last summer demonstrated that having a new sporting director in place guarantees nothing. Will whoever comes in next have the same ideas about strategy and recruitment? Advertisement Waugh: Steve Nickson, head of recruitment, and Andy Howe, assistant head of recruitment, took on prominent roles in the post-Dan Ashworth interim and will be empowered again. The latter has been an influential voice since the takeover, following Eddie, his uncle, to the club from fellow Premier League side Bournemouth. Targets have been selected by the head coach. He would ideally like one or two additions before pre-season begins on July 7, and definitely before the squad leave for a training camp in Austria — by which time the true direction of their window will have become clearer.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Alonso's new-look Real Madrid aiming for Club World Cup glory
After Real Madrid's hopes of major silverware this season faded the Club World Cup took on far greater importance for them and it will provide an insight into new coach Xabi Alonso's strategy. The 43-year-old Spaniard, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti at the helm, along with new arrivals Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen add a fresh look to a team that emerged battered and bruised from a domestic season dominated by bitter rivals Barcelona. Former Bayer Leverkusen coach Alonso may deploy his favoured 3-4-3 formation which would give England international Alexander-Arnold an important role on the right flank. Recent Spain debutant Huijsen also bolsters a back-line which has been badly hit by injuries this season. Madrid still have several players sidelined, including Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao and Eduardo Camavinga, but some may be able to make their return during the tournament. Midfielder Jude Bellingham is expected to have shoulder surgery after Real's participation ends which they hope is after they have been crowned champions. Their title ambitions is why they paid a reported £10 million ($13.5 million) to sign Alexander-Arnold early, his Liverpool contract was due to end on June 30. In Group H Real Madrid's campaign begins against Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal on June 18 in Miami, before facing Mexican outfit Pachuca in Charlotte on June 22. Alonso's team then face Austria's RB Salzburg in Philadelphia on June 26 in their final group game. Al-Hilal may be a tougher proposition than many expect, having recently appointed Simone Inzaghi as coach after he guided Inter Milan to the Champions League final. With a squad full of well-known names, including Aleksandar Mitrovic, Joao Cancelo and Kalidou Koulibaly, Al-Hilal will believe in their chances of causing an upset. Pachuca have former Newcastle striker Salomon Rondon leading the line but are seen as the weakest team in the group. Madrid beat them 3-0 in the Intercontinental Cup last December, with Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Junior all on target. Real also thrashed Salzburg 5-1 in January in the Champions League group phase, although the record 15-time winners were dumped out by Arsenal in the quarter-finals. - 'Ambitious' play - Ancelotti suggested a year ago that top clubs including Madrid would skip the Club World Cup, but was forced to backtrack, and with the winners bagging as much as $135 million, victory is important to the Spanish giants. After Barcelona reclaimed La Liga on the way to wrapping up a domestic treble, beating Madrid four times in the process, Madrid would also welcome some sporting success to raise morale and increase belief before the new campaign. Some of the same problems that Ancelotti could not solve are in Alonso's in-tray and the Club World Cup is the first chance for him to answer them. The Italian complained about a lack of balance because of the top-heavy attack, and Alonso has already suggested Bellingham will be used in a deeper role than previously. A classy midfielder at Madrid and Liverpool in his playing days, Alonso must find a way of playing both Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe without causing Madrid too many problems at the back. "We have to get everything we can out of them -- I have ideas," said Alonso earlier this month. "I am thinking about how to make a balanced team... (and create) a stability that will allow individual qualities to flourish." Madrid's football was often criticised under Ancelotti, to the Italian's chagrin, and Alonso said he wants his team to excite the fans. "We want an ambitious and active game, knowing how to take the initiative, and we have the players for it," he added. "I want a team that transmits emotion, energy, ambitious play and connects with the fans." Alexander-Arnold's supreme passing range may help Madrid overcome the absence of Toni Kroos, who left last summer, while Croatian veteran Luka Modric is playing his final matches for the club before departing. Leaving with a trophy would be an appropriate farewell for one of the game's modern greats, while record 15-time European Cup winners Madrid would also take pride in being the first team to win the expanded Club World Cup. rbs/pi
