Liverpool legends player ratings vs Chelsea as Peter Crouch and Jay Spearing impress

Yahoo

22-03-2025

Liverpool legends beat Chelsea 2-0 on Saturday thanks to a Peter Crouch second-half brace.
The friendly match, organized to raise funds for charity saw a host of former legends of both sides play out a light-hearted, yet slightly pedestrian affair at Anfield, 20 years on from the famous Champions League semi-final double header.
Chelsea's players perhaps had more storied careers, but it was Liverpool who started brighter and controled the game in the first period. Steven Gerrard picked Sami Hyypia out with a superb cross that the Finn headed wide, Gregory Vignal saw a goal-bound shot blocked by his own team-mate, Ryan Babel and, late on, the energetic Martin Kelly drilled a shot wide from a narrow angle.
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It took Chelsea until the second period to regsiter a shot on target when Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's free-kick was palmed away by Sander Westerveld, before Liverpool took the lead after 55 minutes when Florent Sinama-Pongelle's cross was headed in superbly by Peter Crouch. The robot celebration followed, of course, a day on from Crouch revealing how excited his five-year-old son was to see the former striker pull on the red jersey again.
He even grabbed another, again from a lob, as he flicked the ball past Robert Green from a narrow angle to make it 2-0. The final stages were quite low-key, with few chances for either team.
Here's how we rated all 21 Liverpool players.
Jersey Dudek (6). Sadly lasted only 17 minutes before he went off with what looked like a pulled hamstring. Other than collecting a few crosses into the box, the 2005 penalty hero looked emotional as he hobbled off the pitch but did receive a standing ovation.
Igor Biscan (7). One of the few who played the full 90. The defender looked sharp and cut out a number of dangerous attacking moment for Chelsea.
Sami Hyypia (7). Still provided the imposing physical presence Liverpool fans became used to during the defender's playing days. Hyypia dealt well with Hasselbaink and put in some well-timed tackles to help the hosts regain possession.
Ragnar Klavan (7). Blocked Hasselbaink's dangerous shot in the 20th minute and was comfortable in possession from the back.
Martin Kelly (8). Covered more ground than most playing from a right wing-back role and nearly grabbed the game's opening goal on the stroke of half-time when his low shot fizzed just wide of Carlo Cudicini's far post. Kelly looked good going forward and his first-half cross was applauded by Gerrard. He also played 90 minutes.
Jay Spearing (8). Started the game and was introduced again in the second period. He had the game's first shot after four minutes and was among the sharpest Liverpool player. He was quick on the ball and made several important tackles, while also drawing a few fouls, one in particular that frustrated Claude Makelele.
Mohamed Sissoko (6). Lasted half an hour but put in some well-timed tackles and kept the ball moving in central midfield, even if the sharpness was lacking.
Gregory Vignal (7). One of the fitter players who covered more ground than most. His shot which was blocked by Babel in a humoros, but slightly frustrating, moment early on.
Steven Gerrard (8). Seemed desperate to score, as a shot that flew over late in the first half indicated. But the quality was still evident with his sharp lay-offs, quick sprints in behind and cross-field passes. The waned slightly in the second period, but Gerrard also played the full game. He didn't get the goal he craved, with a few near moments for the no.8, including Jose Bosignwa's header that prevented the ball falling in the area.
Dirk Kuyt (5). Played up front and found it difficult to get involved. He also didn't offer many moments of real quality on the ball.
Ryan Babel (5). Produced a few dangerous runs but, like his fellow Dutch striker, didn't have much of an impact.
Sander Westerveld (8). Made two saves, the first to keep out Hasselbaink and the second a superb stop to deny Robert Huth from a close-range header. Of the three goalkeepers, Westerveld played longest.
Natasha Dowie (6). Had some nice touches and linked well with her team-mates as she became the first-ever woman to represent the legends' team.
Fabio Aurelio (6). Solid at the back, but didn't have much to deal with as Liverpool largely controled the second period.
Albert Riera (6). Only managed about 20 minutes, but set up the first Liverpool goal with a superb cross to the back post. The Spaniard played at left-back during his brief outing.
Florent Sinama-Pongelle (7). Put in the cross for Crouch's second goal and, from a right wing position, looked sharp.
Yossi Benayoun (8). Hasn't lost that balletic ability to glide through the opposition and linked up well with Gerrard in midfield, even if his end product let him down a little.
Marc Gonzalaez (7). One of the fittest players and demonstrated the sort of technical ability fans would have wanted to see more in his playing days. Gonzalez's runs down the left and crosses impressed.
Peter Crouch (9). The star of the show with two superb goals that managed to both lob Robert Green. The opening header was sublime, reversing the ball back towards the back post from an excellent cross, and finding the back post. The second finish was improvised as he flicked the ball over the keeper. He loved both goals, celebrating wildly in front of The Kop afterwards.
Djibril Cisse (5). Like a few Liverpool forwards, found it tough to get involved. He wasn't happy, after coming on at half-time, to be taken off again late on.
David James (6). Had one save to make which he held comfortably from a Ramires save.