As an annual sporting event held by the LFC Foundation, the Liverpool Legends Charity Match will take place this Saturday. Lining up with a handful of eminent names, the Kopites and other long-time Premier League fans will have a chance to greet and welcome those familiar faces back to their beloved Anfield Stadium.
Players confirmed to play for the Liverpool side:
Goalkeepers: Jerzy Dudek, and Sander Westerveld
Defenders: Bjorn Tore Kvarme, Daniel Agger, Fabio Aurelio, Gregory Vignal, Igor Biscan, Martin Skrtel, Sami Hyypia
Midfielders: Jay Spearing, Mark Gonzalez, Maxi Rodriguez, Momo Sissoko
Forwards: Dirk Kuyt, Djibril Cisse, Fernando Torres, Nabil El Zhar, Ryan Babel
The squad showcases Liverpool’s rich history of talent, who also featured in the previous Legends Charity matches. Adding up with the team’s victories over Celtic, Manchester United and AC Milan, and Torres’ eye-catching return, Liverpool is expected to inherit its winning prowess at Anfield with an advanced squad.
What is the Legends Charity Match?
Being organized by the Liverpool FC Foundation, the Liverpool Legends charity match is an event to raise funds for various charitable causes.
The match features former Liverpool players and aims to support community and social initiatives. To date, over £6 million has been raised, assisting over 83,000 people in some of the UK's most deprived areas.
The funds have not only contributed significantly to the local economy (over £8m) but have also generated around £25 million in health benefits for the community.
Additionally, the funds are directed towards Forever Reds, the official association for former Liverpool players, offering support to past players in need. Charities, such as Cash for Kids and Into University, have also benefited, broadly showcasing the impact of these events in supporting various vital causes within the community and beyond.
According to liverpool.com, the foundation is currently working with over 120 local schools to help children improve their environment of education while providing lectures about public safety and mental health.
Players to watch: Fernando Torres
Not many young fans can point out a beast before Erling Haaland’s era. Being probably the best striker under the tenure of Spaniard manager Rafael Benitez, Torres created one of the most memorable memories for the Kopites in this century, exciting fans and teammates with his sensational speed and shooting.
He tallied 65 goals in 104 appearances for the Reds. Despite not winning a trophy, Torres did contribute a series of marvelous moments with Liverpool, such as his stunning performance in a 5-1 victory over Real Madrid in the 2009 Champions League Round of 16.
After retiring from the pitch, Torres went back to his mother club Atlético Madrid and engaged in its youth team as a coach.
In the 2023-24 División de Honor Juvenil season thus far, the U19 team is currently at the top of the scoring table with only two losses under Torres's tenure. As he was invited to the charity match, Torres is set for his first return to Anfield since his retirement in 2019.
According to the latest interview by liverpool.com, Torres said Anfield is the place that aroused the best memories of his career. Confirming that his old partner Steven Gerrard will come to the match as a visitor, the two’s reunion is another noticeable thing to watch.
Sven-Göran Eriksson: One Last Dance Aside From the Pitch
It deeply hurts most football fans after Eriksson’s announcement that he was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, which estimates about a year left of his life.
Being a loyal Liverpool supporter, Eriksson always wished to find a chance to manage his favorite team once in his lifetime. The current manager Jurgen Klopp then invited Eriksson for this one-match tenure after hearing about his great interest in Liverpool, making the life-long Kop’s dream come true.
Reviewing Eriksson’s managerial history, the Swede was the first non-English manager to coach the so-called “golden generation” of the England national team, including David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Gerrard and Frank Lampard, leading the team to reach the fourth in the 2006 World Cup.
He gained the most career successes and won 18 trophies throughout managing clubs, including seven with Lazio (1997-2001). Before landing in China in 2013, he spent three years coaching in the Premier League and EFL Championship, helping Manchester City to secure ninth with the club's joint-highest Premier League point total, 55 in 2008.
In his first year in the Chinese Super League, Eriksson helped Guangzhou R&F qualify for the AFC Champions League for the first time.
Despite being told the countdown of his life, Eriksson vowed himself not to give up fighting against cancer. His step-up aside from the pitch will be one of the most emotional and resilient stories of the event’s history.