The Premier League's infamous rivalry between Martin Skrtel and Diego Costa was rekindled during a legends match between Liverpool and Chelsea
Rory Robinson US Sports Journalist and Will Schofield Senior Sports Reporter
18:54, 11 Oct 2025
Martin Skrtel and Diego Costa
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Martin Skrtel and Diego Costa were back at it again(Image: X)
Martin Skrtel and Diego Costa momentarily transformed a charitable legends fixture into a personal vendetta, harking back to one of the Premier League's most infamous feuds.
The flashpoint occurred roughly half an hour into the Liverpool Legends versus Chelsea Legends encounter at Stamford Bridge, when Costa went shoulder-to-shoulder with Skrtel in the centre of the pitch to dispossess him.
Seconds earlier, Costa had tried to break the deadlock for Chelsea, only to see his effort thwarted by Reina. Just before that, Skrtel had clattered into the ex-Chelsea frontman from behind with a hefty challenge that floored him.
As Costa picked himself up and appeared to mouth something towards the defender, Skrtel leant in and wagged his finger menacingly at him.
The pair squared up before team-mates stepped in to pull them apart, with the official brandishing a yellow card at Costa as the spectators responded to the all-too-familiar animosity between the duo.
Martin Skrtel and Diego Costa
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Martin Skrtel and Diego Costa clashed during the legends fixture(Image: X)
Costa received the match's opening caution as the crowd erupted at the drama unfolding before some of the Reds' greatest icons.
The incident rapidly went viral within minutes. Supporters were swift to highlight the parallels between today's confrontation and its roots in 2015, reports Liverpool.com. One supporter posted: "Diego Costa and Martin Skrtel scrapping like it's 2015."
Another supporter commented: "The rivalry between Diego Costa and Martin Skrtel is still alive because what am I watching in this charity match," while sharing an image that depicted Costa gouging the Slovak's eye during a previous Premier League clash.
Martin Skrtel and Diego Costa
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Martin Skrtel and Diego Costa have history(Image: X)
A third chimed in: "I know it's a charity match, but I still want Diego Costa to slap Martin Skrtel," whilst another supporter remarked, "Of course, old habits don't die easily."
Eden Hazard, who featured in the fixture, spoke during the half-time interval and reflected on the incident, stating: "This guy is still the same!". The encounter rekindled a bitter rivalry that characterised numerous Liverpool-Chelsea clashes between 2014 and 2016.
Their altercations featured Costa's contentious 'double stomp' on Skrtel during the 2015 League Cup semi-final and another incident later that season when Costa seemed to boot Skrtel in the chest.
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The stamping episode occurred after Costa was accused of using his boot studs to dig into the ankles of Emre Can and Skrtel during a League Cup tie in which Chelsea progressed on aggregate.
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Costa was subsequently charged with violent conduct by the FA, resulting in a three-match suspension.
Saturday's legends fixture saw Chelsea, managed by Roberto Di Matteo, field players including John Terry, Eden Hazard, Gary Cahill, Joe Cole, and Costa.
Liverpool's squad featured Pepe Reina, Fabio Aurelio, Yossi Benayoun, Ryan Babel, Robbie Keane, and Skrtel.