Liverpool's Legends side took on their Chelsea counterparts at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, and won it with a late goal
Martin Skrtel and Diego Costa enjoyed a running battle
Martin Skrtel and Diego Costa enjoyed a running battle(Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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It doesn't quite make up for last weekend's Stamford Bridge disappointment, but Liverpool Legends struck late to beat their Chelsea equivalents in Saturday's charity clash.
Ryan Babel, who had started the game only to be taken off at half-time, re-emerged from the bench to win it with the only goal of the game just two minutes from the end, leaving a star-studded Chelsea side featuring the likes of John Terry, Petr Cech, Diego Costa and Eden Hazard disappointed.
The match, which was played in aid of the Chelsea Foundation - which you can donate to here - featured several blasts from Liverpool's past, and here's how they got on.
Pepe Reina
Making his Legends debut, it looked as though he was going to stage a repeat of his Stamford Bridge red card in February 2006 when he raced out of his goal towards the touchline in the first half.
Luckily this time around there was no Eidur Gudjohnsen to challenge or Arjen Robben to raise a hand to ("I must go to the hospital to see him," said a sarcastic Rafa Benitez), and instead he just settled for a cuddle with Gary Cahill. Good save from Costa, and a clean sheet in his 55 minutes on the pitch.
Martin Kelly
One of the more sprightly on the Liverpool side, Kelly - who scored his only Reds goal in a League Cup tie at Stamford Bridge in 2011 - was the first to enjoy a battle with Hazard, and came close to scoring at the start of the second half.
Ragnar Klavan in action against Salomon Kalou
Ragnar Klavan in action against Salomon Kalou(Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Ragnar Klavan
Assured at the back, so much so that we were treated to slow, yet purposeful meanders into midfield on more than one occasion. Sadly the signature turn was lacking though.
Martin Skrtel
The impressive Reds skipper took it upon himself to stand up to Costa - because someone was going to have to - and it was clear that he got under the fearsome forward's skin.
So much so, in fact, that the former Atletico Madrid man would react and pick up a booking, something that produced one of his angry stares in Skrtel's direction. Where's Jordan Henderson when you need him?
Gregory Vignal
Started at left-back, where he use to play for the Reds, before moving into midfield in the second half and showing some lovely touches. One of the fitter players in the side despite it being over 20 years since he left Liverpool (we're all so old) before a late injury.
Igor Biscan
Never the quickest in his Anfield days, the two decades since haven't done much for the 47-year-old's pace, but he did make a couple of forays into attack and almost got on the end of cross from Yossi Benayoun. Also bounded into John Terry at one point, which it looked like he enjoyed.
Jay Spearing
This was a bit different from the youth team games he occasionally plays in, and there were a couple of fouls on Hazard and John Obi Mikel that you can only hope he's not teaching the young Reds.
Fabio Aurelio
Such a lovely technical player back in his heyday, you could still see elements of that here, most notably with one raking ball from left to right that sent Jermaine Pennant away. Was an important presence for the Reds in the second half due to his calmness on the ball. That almost sounds like proper analysis doesn't it?
Ryan Babel fired home Liverpool's late winner
Ryan Babel fired home Liverpool's late winner
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Yossi Benayoun
A good run in the first half which ended with a shot at Petr Cech, Benayoun - formerly of Chelsea as well - was clearly one of the Reds' better players before his half-time departure and then later reintroduction, after which he played a key part in the visitors winning the game.
Ryan Babel
Another who left the field at half-time only to return later on to win it, the 38-year-old Babel was one of the fitter players on the Reds side and he always carried a threat when cutting inside onto his right foot from the left, as he did excellently for the goal.
Florent Sinama-Pongolle
A quiet first 45 minutes for the Frenchman before he was taken off at half-time. He was always better as a sub anyway.
Substitutes
Mark Gonzalez
A sprightly addition in the second half, the Chilean linked up well with Pennant and Tash Dowie and helped Liverpool wrestle control of the game.
Jermaine Pennant
Wound up the home fans with a rather odd dive over a Celestine Babayaro challenge, before teeing up Babel for the winner.
Natasha Dowie
A strong presence in attack, showing good link-up play and holding the ball up well.
Stephane Henchoz
Yeah... er... not what he once was. A brief cameo for the former defender.
Sander Westerveld
Made a really good save from Hazard late on with the score at 0-0.
Jason McAteer
Combative in the centre of midfield in his late cameo.
Chris Kirkland
Nice to see him get on for the final moments, and made a positive late claim.
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