- Liverpool Legends turned it around in the second half and defeated an Ajax side
- Ex-England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson made his dream of managing Reds come true
- England’s 2004 European Championship team were great on paper, but they didn’t win. Can this crop do it this summer? Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
Liverpool Legends defeated an Ajax team 4-2 at Anfield, in a charity match that saw Sven-Goran Eriksson realize his dream of coaching the Reds.
The Dutch visitors went two goals clear at halftime, thanks to goals from Derk Boerrigter and Kiki Musampa.
However, Liverpool looked like a different team after the break and made a stunning comeback in the second half, with goals from Gregory Vignal, Djibril Cisse, Nabil El Zhar and Fernando Torres.
Boerrigter scored within two minutes with a header from close range to give the Dutch visitors a flying start.
Torres had a few chances to find an equalizer, hitting the post once, before Demy de Zeeuw blocked on the goal line to deny Steven Gerrard.
Fernando Torres scored Liverpool’s fourth goal as they defeated Ajax Legends 4-2 at Anfield
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Just before half-time, Musampa took advantage of Liverpool’s poor defending to double the Dutch lead from six yards out.
Liverpool made six changes at the break and they came out with a renewed energy that helped them change the circumstances of the charity match – but only after Musampa had hit the crossbar for Ajax.
Vignal’s lovely goal ten minutes into the second half got the Reds going before he hugged Eriksson on the touchline.
A young Liverpool fan came onto the pitch for a selfie with Gerrard – and while such actions are usually frowned upon, on this occasion the Reds legend was happy to oblige as fans pantomimely booed as the young lad was led away.
Ryan Babel – a former Liverpool and Ajax player – hit the post for the Dutch team, before Cisse equalized fifteen minutes before the end.
El Zhar put the Reds ahead five minutes later and Torres, who had been frustrated all match, was able to score from close range to complete the 4–2 win for Liverpool.
The sold-out crowd raised money for the LFC Foundation, which does charity work in the city and internationally.
Liverpool’s website reports that Legends matches have raised more than £6.4 million in vital funds since 2017, with the Foundation supporting almost 123,000 people last season alone.
This year’s money will be used to support the Foundation’s education programmes, which tackle social issues in Liverpool.
More to follow…