Steven Gerrard scored on his return to Anfield but couldn't prevent Liverpool from losing 2-1 to Barcelona in a star-studded charity match between the two clubs' legends.
Icons of both the Reds and Blaugrana were on show on Saturday, with Gerrard's ice-cold penalty opening the scoring after just 12 minutes. But Barca were back on level terms just before half-time, as Giovanni coolly slotted home past Sander Westerveld at the Kop End.
The legendary Rivaldo then completed the comeback a matter of minutes after the interval, taking a superb penalty to prove that his class was permanent too, wrapping up a good-spirited 90 minutes of football to put smiles of faces and, crucially, raise money for the LFC Foundation in what had been an annual event prior the Covid-19 pandemic. Here are six things you might've missed from Anfield.
1. Star-studded dugout
It wasn't just the players who made the occasion a showpiece, but the coaches too. Taking Jurgen Klopp's place in the Liverpool dugout were Sir Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush, assisted by John Barnes and John Aldridge. The quartet boast a combined 46 years of service to the Reds and were handed a warm reception in the glorious sunshine on Merseyside.
2. Gerrard's still got it
With kick-off delayed by a quarter of an hour, the Anfield crowd didn't have to wait long for their first piece of entertainment, as Steven Gerrard slotted home a penalty with just 12 minutes on the clock. The Aston Villa boss, who scored the winning goal in the last legends match Liverpool played in 2019 against AC Milan, picked up where he left off and drew a foul from Edmilson.
The Brazilian, currently a technical consultant for Sao Caetano, was turned by Gerrard on the left of the penalty area and pulled his hamstring while bringing the Reds icon down in Sunday league fashion. There was only one man who'd step up for the spot kick, sending Jesus Angoy the wrong way at the Anfield Road End.
It was what the crowd wanted to see and if you'd been living under a rock since 2015, you'd have been forgiven for thinking Gerrard was still playing. Whether it was spraying passes across the pitch or driving forward, 'Stevie G' was loving the hero role on a day where competition was hot.
3. Carragher's Cruyff turn
Gerrard's partner in crime was always going to give the fans something to smile about too - it just wasn't expected to be a Cruyff turn. The acclaimed pundit brought out something we didn't see often during his playing days while defending his own goal at the bottom corner of the Kop, regaining the ball from his man and turning away using the Barcelona icon Johan Cruyff's trademark skill.
It came just minutes after he laid down behind the wall from a Rivaldo free-kick, another piece of contemporary play which had supporters in stitches. But it wasn't all laughs for Carragher, as the visitors would soon have a reason for smiling seconds before half-time.
4. Back-to-back Barca goals
In a move that any Barcelona team would've been proud of, Javier Saviola slipped in Giovanni through on goal with a smart pass that found its way through the Liverpool back five. As Sander Westerveld bared down on him, the striker made no mistake with his one-on-one finish to beat the Dutchman and send the sides in level.
Coming out for the second half, with Gerrard the only man not to be subbed off at half-time and complete 90 minutes, Phil Babb had a nightmare start, giving away a penalty as Giovanni raced away. Up stepped Rivaldo and he gave Jerzy Dudek no chance, picking out the top-left corner and hitting the back of the net, making it 2-1.
5. Garcia's game of two halves
Having started on the home side, Luis Garcia swapped teams at the interval and came off the bench shortly after Rivaldo's goal in Barcelona colours. The two-footed Spaniard came through famed La Masia and spent a total of 13 years with the Blaugrana, and the ability that allowed him to have a glittering career was well on show.
6. Brilliance denies Baros
Looking to immediately respond, Liverpool came agonisingly close to drawing level through Milan Baros. The Czech striker, sporting the number five, would hardly have believed his luck when the ball fell to his feet six yards out with the goalkeeper scrambling - only to see his close-range shot blocked in heroic fashion off the line by Barcelona defender Dani Tortolero in the final true moment of drama on a good-spirited afternoon.
