Yossi Benayoun played for Chelsea and Arsenal after leaving Liverpool but has made his allegiance to the Reds perfectly clear
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Yossi Benayoun of Liverpool Legends passes the ball whilst under pressure during the Legends Charity Match between Liverpool Legends and Chelsea Legends at Anfield
Yossi Benayoun of Liverpool Legends passes the ball whilst under pressure during the Legends Charity Match between Liverpool Legends and Chelsea Legends at Anfield
(Image: 2025 Liverpool FC)
Liverpool Legends tend to welcome back a number of double agents with players often representing both clubs on show in the LFC Foundation’s annual charity game. Xabi Alonso played for both the Reds and Bayern Munich back in 2018, while Luis Garcia featured for both sides when Barcelona came to Anfield in 2022.
Steve McManaman, Michael Owen, Jerzy Dudek and Fernando Morientes also all did stints for both sides in the two clashes with Real Madrid in 2015 and 2017, while Robbie Keane turned out for both Liverpool and Celtic in 2023.
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And last year against Ajax, Ryan Babel and Jari Litmanen opted to play for both the Reds and the Dutch giants.
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But despite such a precedent, Yossi Benayoun had no desire to do similar when the Legends hosted Chelsea on Saturday.
The Israeli was a popular figure during his playing days at Anfield, returning 29 goals and 20 assists from 134 appearances over three seasons. But after losing favour under Rafa Benitez, he left for Chelsea in a £5.5m deal in July 2010.
However a ruptured Achilles tendon quickly curtailed his progress at Stamford Bridge as he made just 10 appearances during his first season at the club. Loan moves to Arsenal and West Ham United would follow before he left at the end of his three-year contract having only made 24 appearances for the Londoners.
Perhaps it is understandable then why Benayoun did not wish to represent Chelsea against Liverpool, giving his limited impact at Stamford Bridge. Showing his ‘true colours’ with a decision that will surely delight Reds supporters, he admitted after the match that he only wanted to play for LFC Legends when making his first Anfield return.
“Yeah, I played also for Chelsea (during my career),” he told the ECHO and other media outlets. “No (I didn’t want to swap sides). Yeah (I could have played for both) but no. I play only for Liverpool!”
Benayoun was delighted to be back at Anfield after coming on as a half-time substitute and partnering Reds legend Steven Gerrard in the heart of midfield as a Peter Crouch brace earned a 2-0 win. Feeling a close affinity with Liverpool, the Israeli is already looking forward to his next Legends appearance.
“It was amazing to come back to Anfield for me for the first time,” he said. “Of course, for this important cause, the foundation, raise a lot of money, so it was amazing.
“It's unbelievable. I think it's only in England they know how to respect players and come to all the people at a game and full stadium and support. It's amazing.
“Since we left, I think most of the players were in connection, always with the club, some events, some interviews that you are doing.
“I think it shows how big is this club compared to others. Not all the clubs are keeping in touch with ex-players, so it's amazing. This is why Liverpool is so special.
“Hopefully (I will be back next year), yeah, I will be happy to come back as long as they want us to come back and, of course, to raise money all the time for the Foundation.
“I think this is the most important thing and hopefully we will be part of this in the next few years.”
Meanwhile, having kept a close eye on his former club, Benayoun is confident Liverpool will win the Premier League this season.
The Reds are currently 12 points clear of another of the Israeli’s former clubs in Arsenal with nine games left to play.
“Yes, I’ve been following them. I'm sure the league is in the hands of Liverpool,” he said. “It's a shame they didn't win another trophy, the cup and the Champions League, but to win the league is the most important title in England.”