Peter Crouch enjoyed a dream return to at Anfield on Saturday as a Liverpool Legends team beat Chelsea Legends 2-0.
Crouch, on as a second half substitute, scored twice and rolled back the years by bringing out the robot celebration on an entertaining afternoon on Merseyside where a 20-year rivalry between Liverpool and Chelsea was reignited.
It was back in the 2004/05 season, where the two teams met five times across all competitions, including the Champions League semi-final and the League Cup final.
The Reds claimed victory in the former en route to their memorable win over AC Milan on Europe’s biggest stage, whilst the domestic cup success set the Blues on their way to winning their first-ever Premier League title, thus ending a 50-year wait to be crowned champions of England once again.
Sir Kenny Dalglish lead the Liverpool Legends and handed starts to the likes of Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia, Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuyt and Jerzy Dudek.
Meanwhile, Claude Makelele, Florent Malouda, Ramires, Dennis Wise and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink were in the Chelsea Legends starting XI named by Roberto Di Matteo.
A fairly even first-half saw Babel accidentally get in the way of Gregory Vignal’s goalbound effort, whilst Jay Spearing and Wise enjoyed a running battle to suggest this match was more than just a friendly.
The deadlock was broken early in the second half when Crouch headed home Florent Sinama Pongolle’s brilliant cross.
Eleven minutes later the former England striker added a second with a fine lobbed finish over Rob Green.
Chelsea Legends were unfortunate to not get on the scoresheet as Robert Huth had an effort brilliantly saved by Sander Westerveld at 1-0 and Jon Harley looped a shot just wide after rounding David James and not going down in the penalty area.
Gianfranco Zola made an appearance for Chelsea Legends late on but Crouch proved to be the difference maker on a wonderful occasion at Anfield.
One hundred per cent of the proceeds raised from the game will support the work of LFC Foundation, as well as supporting beneficiaries – including Forever Reds, Chelsea FC Foundation and Chelsea Players’ Trust.