Latest news with #LiverpoolLegends
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘I saw what Legends game means for people of Liverpool - it's more than just nostalgia'
You could have been forgiven, had you wandered down any street in the vicinity of Anfield, on Saturday, for thinking that Arne Slot 's side were about to kick off. Such was the furore and excitement as fans, decked in red shirts, singing about famous European nights and looking forward to seeing their favorite stars in action, strolled towards Anfield on a sunny spring afternoon. Except, on this rare occasion, the names Gregory Vignal and Florent Sinama-Pongelle carried more weight than Mohamed Salah. Liverpool Legends games always bring out a big crowd, but drawing 60,000 to see a match that was often played at glacial pace is a credit to the dedication of the club's fan base. For the 2025 edition, it was a side of former Chelsea players who made the trip to Anfield to take on a Liverpool team containing the likes of Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia and Dirk Kuyt. READ MORE: Peter Crouch joke about Steven Gerrard came true during Liverpool legends match READ MORE: Liverpool legend furious at being substituted during win over Chelsea The fans were desperate to see Gerrard net against the side who famously tried to entice him into leaving Liverpool, but it was his former England team-mate, Peter Crouch, who lit up the game. He netted twice off the bench to hand Sir Dalglish's side of ex-Liverpool stars the win and delight his five-year son watching in the stands. The palpable atmosphere can partly be explained by the issues that surround Liverpool tickets now and how difficult it is for many fans to obtain them. It was even mentioned by LFC Foundation chief executive Matt Parish ahead of the game that, for several thousand in attendance, it will be their only trip to Anfield this season. It shouldn't be overlooked that many of those are from the local area and, in many ways, that's what Saturday's game was all about: Scousers. Liverpool prides itself on its connection with the fans - as does Everton, it shouldn't be forgotten - which often harnesses a collective sense of unity among those who live on Merseyside, partly in times of hardship. Gerrard, the boy from Huyton who grew up to become the world's best midfielder, embodies that loyalty to his city. He turned down the riches available down south to stay loyal to his people, his club and his community. No wonder the fans bayed for him to find the back of the net, while a clip that surfaced on social media of Gerrard kissing the Liverpool badge in the direction of the away supporters delighted Liverpool fans. The 44-year-old rolled back the years at Anfield, drilling crossfield passes, single-handedly trying to dictate the game from midfield, darting determinedly into the final third and chastising team-mates for not playing the right pass. That intensity has not diminished over the years. Slot's current Reds have no shortage of Liverpool heroes who could, in the not-too-distant future, play for the legends' side, but so long as Gerrard is available to play in these charity games, he'll always be the star attraction. At full-time, the former captain led the team on a lap of honor around the ground, applauding the fans who had given up their Saturday afternoons to see a group of ex-professionals misplace passes and jog listlessly around the pitch. It was, of course, all about the LFC Foundation, who do some incredible work in the local community and will distribute the funds from Saturday's game towards health initiatives in the Liverpool city region, providing physical and mental wellbeing programmes for people of all ages. Last year, the Foundation supported over 127,000 people, delivered 18,000 sessions and events across 300 community venues, including 199 schools. In a week when government policies again targeted the most vulnerable in society, the work carried out by charities such as the Foundation feel increasingly vital. Some of the funds from Saturday's game will also be donated to Forever Reds, Liverpool's former players' association. The charity works predominantly with players from the '60s, '70s and '80s, who didn't play in the lucrative era that most on show at Anfield benefited from. It's timely given the news from down the M62 in recent weeks and Sir Jim Ratcliffe's decision to cut financing for a similar body at Manchester United. It's a sign in many ways of the sport's general direction towards a more elitist, globalized model that enhances the bank balances of the most affluent. Premier League owners are more detached than ever as policies are increasingly guided by a global-centric view above what benefits loyal supporters in the surrounding area. Liverpool's owners have not always made popular decisions or acted primarily in the interest of the club's local fans, but the legends match is a rare and crucial community link that is only growing in stature. That so many ex-players also spoke of the bond and connection they feel towards Liverpool is testament to that sense of community. 'Having played for Liverpool, there is something special about this club,' said Crouch, still grinning from his brace, after the game. 'Once you play for a club like Liverpool and you speak to all the players, it just touches you. It's so special.' READ MORE: History made in Liverpool Legends game with two Chelsea players crunched seconds later READ MORE: Liverpool star forced to hobble out of charity game after just 17 minutes Ragnar Klavan spoke of feeling the 'warmth of the city and club', while Yossi Benayoun commented on how 'not all clubs keep in touch with ex-players' unlike Liverpool, who he described as 'amazing and special'. That so many players came together for a worthy cause embodies what Liverpool should always stand for and what Scousers want their club to epitomize. Saturday's match ultimately was insignificant - few in attendance will be able to remember the score in five years' time or the majority of players who were involved. But in half a decade, the money raised from the game will undoubtedly still benefit those in the city of Liverpool.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
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.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gerrard rolls back the years for Liverpool as Crouch's robot returns - 5 talking points vs Chelsea
Liverpool legends recorded a 2-0 win over Chelsea on Saturday in a light-hearted afternoon at Anfield. The game, organized to raise funds for both club's charity partners featured a host of former legends, including Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia and Dirk Kuyt, while for Chelsea the star names included Gianfranco Zola, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Claude Makelele. But it was Peter Crouch who stole the show with a second-half brace to ensure the hosts grabbed a very popular victory at Anfield. Here are the main talking points from the chairy game. READ MORE: History made in Liverpool Legends game with two Chelsea players crunched seconds later READ MORE: Liverpool star forced to hobble out of charity game after just 17 minutes Let's not forget why this game was staged in the first place - and the most important element of the entire day: to raise money for a very worthy cause. The funds generated from this year's game will support the LFC Foundation's health initiatives, which provide physical and mental wellbeing programmes for people of all ages throughout the Liverpool city region. Last year, the Foundation supported over 127,000 people through its programmes, delivering 18,000 sessions and events across 300 community venues, including 199 schools. Despite this being a charity game, there were a few sliding tackles and cynical fouls - perhaps unsurprisingly with the likes of Jay Spearing, Ramires and Makelele on the pitch. Admittedly, most fouls were followed by an apologetic hand, but Makelele took exception to a first-half challenge from Spearing - and let him know about it. In the second period, Florent Sinama-Pongolle was also vexed by a robust challenge from Florent Malouda. There was a slightly silly moment from Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink when he decided to block Jerzey Dudek's kick - a foul in any game - and clipped the Pole. Sadly, that was the end of Dudek's day as he limped off with a hamstring injury. It was obvious before kick-off what the vast majority inside Anfield most hoped to see on Saturday: Gerrard roll back the years. And they got it, with the captain on the day looking sharp, linking well with team-mates and demonstrating his immaculate range of passing. He was also among those taking this game seriously, perhaps spurred on by a few hundred Chelsea fans who booed him as he swung in a corner half an hour into the game. He certainly looked pumped, running beyond Chelsea defenders, voicing his frustration at misplaced passes and routinely looking for shooting opportunities. Gerrard, who played the full 90 minutes, didn't get his goal that the fans craved, but there were a few near misses, including a crucial headed clearance from Jose Bosingwa to deny a shooting chance in the box, while Yossi Benayoun couldn't quite tee him up a few yards from goal late on. Saturday's game was another indication of how far women's soccer is progressing as Natasha Dowie became the first women's player to represent the legends' team when she was introduced from the bench after 30 minutes, She spoke beforehand about her pride at playing, how her family were in attendance and it was the biggest crowd she's ever played in front of. It wasn't the ideal start for the 36-year-old, who crunched Makelele with a mistimed tackle. Thankfully, he managed to continue and Dowie put in an impressive display up front. READ MORE: Steven Gerrard fumes at Liverpool teammate during charity match as icon can't hide anger READ MORE: Peter Crouch gives honest Arne Slot verdict after PSG and Newcastle defeats After a relatively dull first period, the introduction of Crouch changed the game, with the striker netting two off the bench. The one-time England international spoke of how excited his five-year-old, Liverpool-supporting son was to see him don the red jersey again. So who knows just how excited he was when Crouch nodded past Robert Green to grab the game's opening goal after 55 minutes. The robot, inevitably followed, in front of The Kop. Crouch was loving it and was over the moon to grab another soon after, this time lobbing Green from the back post. The second celebration was equally as enthusiastic and culminated in him running to the bench to embrace Sir Kenny Dalglish, John Aldridge, Ian Rush and John Barnes, with the quartet of Liverpool legends giving him a standing ovation.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool legends player ratings vs Chelsea as Peter Crouch and Jay Spearing impress
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. READ MORE: Alexis Mac Allister involved in Argentina brawl as Liverpool teammate Darwin Nunez lays on floor READ MORE: Liverpool Legends vs Chelsea lineups confirmed as Steven Gerrard returns at Anfield 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.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How to watch Liverpool Legends vs Chelsea Legends: TV channel and live stream for charity match today
Liverpool Legends take on Chelsea Legends at Anfield this afternoon. The international break throws up the chance for the rivalry between Liverpool and Chelsea that reached new heights during the 2004/05 season to be reignited in a fixture that will raise money for various charities. One hundred per cent of the proceeds raised from the game will support the work of LFC Foundation, as well as supporting beneficiaries – including Forever Reds, Chelsea FC Foundation and Chelsea Players' Trust. Iconic names such as Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia and Jerzy Dudek, are set to pull on the famous Liverpool shirt and play in front of the Anfield faithful once again, whilst Natasha Dowie will make history by becoming one of the first two women to feature in the annual legends game. The other being Chelsea Women great Katie Chapman who will take to the field alongside Blues legends such as Gianfranco Zola, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Claude Makelele, William Gallas, Eidur Gudjohnsen and John Mikel Obi. It is certainly shaping up to be a star-studded afternoon on Merseyside, and here's how to watch the action later today. TV channel and live stream: Supporters can watch the game, which kicks off at 3pm GMT this afternoon, via LFCTV and LFCTV GO. The Official Chelsea App and official Chelsea website will also offer a match pass that will cost £5.99 in the UK. Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport's live blog.
