Peter Crouch returned to Liverpool with a brace in Saturday's Legends Charity Match vs Chelsea at Anfield
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Updated 17:27, 22 Mar 2025
Peter Crouch of Liverpool Legends celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Legends Charity Match
Peter Crouch celebrates the first of his two goals for Liverpool Legends in front of The Kop against Chelsea
(Image: LFC Foundation/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Peter Crouch rolled back the years by scoring a brace for Liverpool against Chelsea in Saturday's Legends Charity Match in front of The Kop. But it was what the striker did afterwards that truly made the Anfield crowd rise to their feet.
The March international break is often when the Reds take the opportunity to gather a collection of heroes from years gone by, taking on some of their old foes all for a good cause - the club's official charity, the LFC Foundation. This Saturday it was Chelsea who fielded an opposition team in a repeat of countless memorable Premier League and Champions League meetings.
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The teams featured many names - mainly from the noughties and nineties - such as Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia and Dirk Kuyt for Liverpool and for Chelsea Gianfrancho Zola, Dennis Wise and Ramires.
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Also involved was Crouch, pulling his boots on once again at Anfield and rediscovering that feeling of being the hero.
After a goalless first half, the 44-year-old - who played 134 times for the Reds with 42 goals scored between 2005 and 2008 - was introduced and in the 55th-minute saw a cross from Florent Sinama-Pongolle come his way.
As all Premier League defenders were well aware of between 1998 and 2019, beating the giant to a header was rather difficult. And so Crouch met the cross with force, sending a looping header into the top right corner of the Blues' goal.
Swarmed upon by teammates, he brought out the old trademark robot celebration, made famous in 2006 when striking for England against Hungary in a World Cup warm-up friendly.
10 minutes later the striker battled with Robert Huth at the back post and with a stroke of luck was able to send a looping finish over Robert Green into the left side-netting.
Speaking at the event's press conference on Friday, the Reds hero had said: "It’s unbelievably special [to return].
"It’s amazing how many ex-players end up supporting the club or want to be a part of the club. It’s something really special.
"With Forever Reds, you see the players all feel connected and that’s to do with the club obviously looking after the ex-players, but all the players I played with have a connection to Liverpool.
"I certainly do. I know I married a Scouser, which helps, but I definitely have a connection to the club and always will.
"My boys support Liverpool and I take them to games. They were kind of pushed into it a little bit but they absolutely love it, and I’m very pleased that they do because for me I can now be a part of it.
"It will be massive for me, for my little boy to see me – he missed out, he’s only five – so for him to see me pull on the red shirt again and play at Anfield will be a huge moment for our family."