Peter Crouch of Liverpool Legends celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Legends Charity Match between Liverpool Legends and Chelsea Legends at Anfield on March 22, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by LFC Foundation/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Peter Crouch marked his Liverpool Legends debut with a brace off the bench as the Reds clinched a deserved 2-0 victory over Chelsea at Anfield in the annual LFC Foundation match on Saturday.
The striker brought back the robot celebration in front of the Kop after heading home Florent Sinama-Pongolle's cross, before lobbing Rob Green after bringing down Mark Gonzalez's cross to the far post.
He was not the only star player for the Reds though against their familiar foes, with the likes of Steven Gerrard and Martin Kelly - also making his Legends debut - catching the eye back at Anfield. The ECHO was in attendance at the game to provide the player 'ratings' on a day to remember.
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Jerzy Dudek
Unfortunate to see his afternoon come to a premature end after hurting his foot when Hasselbaink attempted to block his kick. Given a standing ovation.
Martin Kelly
One of the youngest members of the squad, he impressed on his Legends debut. Got forward well down the right-hand side and whipped in a couple of dangerous crosses. Unlucky not to score when dragging just wide on the stroke of half-time. Switched to centre-back at half-time, but that didn’t stop him getting forward when possible. Has he even officially retired? Completed the full 90. Still only 34 years old, could do a job in the Football League.
Igor Biscan
Played in a back three rather than his traditional midfield role. Defended well to help starve Hasselbaink of service before being withdrawn at half-time.
Sami Hyypia
Unlucky not to open the scoring when he headed narrowly wide from a Gerrard cross. Dealt well with Hasselbaink, putting in one vital interception.
Ragnar Klavan
Important block on Hasselbaink when the Dutchman looked to get behind the defence. The first Klopp legend, wasn’t shy getting forward but moved to the centre of defence after the break. Volleyed over in the second half. Only recently retired, completed the full 90 minutes.
Gregory Vignal
Scored in last year’s Legends match and unfortunate not to again when one powerful strike was inadvertently blocked by Babel. Like Kelly on the other flank, also got forward well to offer width from outwide.
Jay Spearing
Tested Cudicini with an early strike from distance. Flew into a number of challenges, annoying Wise in the process at one point. Linked up well with Gerrard. Subbed at half-time before he earned the further wrath of Chelsea and the officials! Then brought back on in place of Riera.
Momo Sissoko
Passed it around well in a deeper midfield role alongside Spearing before being subbed shortly after the half-hour mark.
Steven Gerrard
Initially given a free-role in midfield, the Liverpool captain was popping up everywhere in the first half. At the heart of everything from the Reds. Dropped deeper after Sissoko’s withdrawal. Urged to shoot by the crowd on multiple occasions, but wouldn’t go in for him. Shot high and wide from range and scuff a chance after combining with Benayoun in the box. As he always does, completed the full 90.
Dirk Kuyt
Linked up well with Gerrard and Babel in attack as Liverpool looked to hit Chelsea on the counter. Had Bosingwa to curse for being denied a one v one chance before being subbed at the break. Came back on late on in place of Cisse.
Ryan Babel
Inadvertently blocked Vignal’s goalbound strike from invoking his inner-Xabi Alonso and trying to score from inside his own half. Used his pace well down the left and created one good chance for Kelly.
SUBS
Sander Westerveld (On for Dudek, 18)
Got down well to deny Hasselbaink with a low save from a fierce free-kick. Even better save to tip over Huth’s header.
Natasha Dowie (On for Sissoko, 33)
Wasted no time in making her presence felt and wasn’t shut getting stuck in. Took out Claude Makelele before earning cheers for tracking back and stealing the ball from Ramires. A fan-favourite!
Fabio Aurelio (On for Hyypia, 46)
Playing in a back three this year rather than wing-back. Fired one free-kick narrowly over the bar, beating Gerrard to take it, before putting in a vital tackle on Ramires in his own box moments later.
Mark Gonzalez (On for Vignal, 46)
Kept up his remarkable goals contribution record in Legends matches with a beautiful assist for Crouch’s second, crossing to the far post. Volleyed wide first time from a Sinama-Pongolle cross.
Yossi Benayoun (On for Spearing, 46)
Grew in influence as the second half wore on, gliding forward and linking up well with his team-mates. Gerrard should have done better from his cutback, while Aurelio didn’t connect properly with a dinked pass. Showed true colours by only representing Liverpool in this clash between his two former clubs!
Albert Riera (On for Dowie, 46)
Saw a lot of the ball down the left and put in a great cross for Cisse, which the Frenchman should have done better with. Replaced shortly after the hour-mark as Spearing came back on.
Florent Sinama-Pongolle (On for Biscan, 46)
Right wing-back is a new position for the Frenchman! Great cross from the right to set up Crouch. Was not his only dangerous cross either.
Djibril Cisse (On for Kuyt, 46)
Headed just wide from Riera’s cross. Showed good movement in the box, but was unable to carve out another shooting opportunity as Crouch stole the limelight. Kuyt came back on in his place late on.
Peter Crouch (On for Babel, 46)
Marked his Legends debut with a goal as he leapt highest to connect with Sinama-Pongolle’s cross. Celebrated with the robot in front of the Kop. A very popular goalscorer! Then scored a second with an even better finish, lobbing Green at the far post after bringing down Gonzalez’s cross.
David James (On for Westerveld, 63)
Had next to nothing to do as Chelsea failed to threaten the Liverpool goal for the majority before Ramires shot tamely at him. The dream scenario for a Legends goalkeeper!