Liverpool Legends produced a brilliant second-half fightback to beat Ajax 4-2 at Anfield on Saturday.
The team of Reds favourites found themselves two goals down at the break after strikes from Derk Boerrigter and Kiki Musampa.
However, the home side emerged energised for the second period and managed to launch a superb recovery. Gregory Vignal opened Liverpool’s account at the Kop end, before Djibril Cisse, Nabil El Zhar and Fernando Torres capped off an afternoon to remember for a host of former Reds players.
Theo Squires was in attendance at Anfield to rate the players, who were managed by an emotional Sven-Goran Eriksson on the day.
Could do nothing about either goal. Two great saves in quick-succession at either post to deny Boerrigter and Krohn-Dehli. Quiet half other than that for the popular Pole.
Bjorn Tore Kvarme
The only member of the side to have not played for Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool, with his Reds career purely taking place in the late nineties. Wanted to drop deeper than the rest of the defence and was left on his backside by Boerrigter on more than one occasion.
Martin Skrtel
Still not afraid to fly into a tackle, admittedly not always fairly, or put his head down where it hurts. Did cause panic in his own box, nearly slipping when under pressure just outside the six-yard box. A right-back at times after the break, after Babel left him for dead in one sprint-race, he knew it was time to come off!
Daniel Agger
Looks exactly the same as he did during his playing days. If only he hadn’t suffered the injuries. Like Aurelio, classy on the ball and carried out of defence at every opportunity. Cleared Babel’s chipped shot off the line. So close to scoring a sensational long-range strike late on too.
Fabio Aurelio
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Got forward well and as classy on the ball as ever. Always looking to whip in a cross. Falling over in the box when trying to square to Torres was not his best moment though. Injured late in the first half after taking a heavy blow to the ribs. Sadly not the first time he has been forced off prematurely in a Liverpool shirt.
Jay Spearing
The youngest player in Liverpool’s ranks, and technically still active as a youth player-coach at the Academy, he unsurprisingly covered more ground that most in the first half. Flung himself into challenges and earned chuckles from the crowd for a couple of tactical fouls too.
Momo Sissoko
Took a rare stroll into the penalty area but couldn’t get on the end of a chipped pass. Other than that, got stuck in in midfield at every opportunity before coming off at half-time.
Maxi Rodriguez
Dragged one shot wide of goal before forcing a fine save from Gentenaar. Penalty appeal waved away, and he had another shot blocked in a lively first-half showing.
Steven Gerrard
Unlucky to see a first-time shot from Torres’ cutback deflected just wide as he linked up well with his former strike-partner. Had one penalty shout waved away. Dropped deeper in the second half after the changes and saw one first-time strike well kept out by Lobont.
Ryan Babel
Left two defenders for dead with one great run into the box. Swapped sides in the second half and did the same against Liverpool, having one shot cleared off the line and was denied by the post. Traitor… We love you really, Ryan!
Fernando Torres
It really felt like the goal wasn’t going to come! Landed on his backside after one early air-kick in the box, hit the post with a header, had a close-range effort blocked with the keeper beaten. Scuffed one effort in front of the Kop after the break, wasted a glorious chance by shooting tamely at the keeper, and saw Lobont do well to keep out his looping header. But then, finally, scrambled Gonzalez’s low cross over the line late on.
SUBS
Gregory Vignal (on for Aurelio, 45)
Never scored for Liverpool but now has a goal for the Legends! A great first-time finish from the edge of the box in front of the Kop. That’s one dream ticked off the bucket list for the Frenchman! Switched to centre-back midway through the half.
