A number of prestigious players will take to the Anfield pitch this afternoon as Liverpool Legends take on Barcelona in front of a full crowd.
The likes of Daniel Agger, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard will be representing the Reds as the club raises money for the Liverpool FC Foundation, who work closely with local residents in the city region. Proceeds raised from the match will also help The Owen McVeigh Foundation, Right to Play, Forever Reds and the Barça Foundation.
Today's contest is the fifth time Liverpool have staged such a fixture in L4 and is vital to supporting current and future projects being run by the Foundation. Explaining the importance of days like today, CEO of the LFC Foundation Matt Parish told the ECHO: "It is hugely important to us. We focus our work on the Liverpool city region and we try to help the areas of the highest needs. Last season, we worked with 50,000 beneficiaries and when we had that independently evaluated, it showed that 75 per cent of our participants were in the top ten areas of most need. It shows we're working in the areas that need the support most.
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HOW TO WATCH: Legends game TV channel and Facebook stream details
"It is our fifth Legends game and we have sold out on every occasion. The money raised from that not only allows us to deliver our programmes but to also support the work of other charities and some unbelievable organisations in the Liverpool city region. One of our core principles is that we don't believe we are the experts in everything. We want to work with people who are experts in their respective areas and fund them to do their work.
"If it is a total sell-out, the last game in 2019 raised us £800,000. It could be between £800,000 and £1million this time. We also have a Facebook virtual ticket option for the first time. We have had some interest in that and the announcement that Steven Gerrard is playing alongside the other amazing names we've got and that could boost the funds."
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has only increased the need to support high-risk individuals within the community, who have faced countless issues such as limited employment opportunities and rising costs for food and other essential items.
Liverpool were one of a number of sides who stepped up at a time of need, highlighting the club's continued commitment to taking the initiative to raising life-changing funds.
"I was really proud of the way that not only LFC Foundation but also football stepped up. From Jordan Henderson as the club captain, Marcus Rashford, Everton and Tranmere Rovers did some great work," said Parish.
"All football clubs are part of the community so it's important we do that. For those who were struggling and facing challenges before COVID, that has only been exacerbated. The communities that needed our support really need it at this time and that's why it is important for us to get this Legends game on. We've been waiting since 2020.
"We were concerned when it [Legends match] sold out the first year as to whether or not we could keep the momentum going. It has proved we have been able to do that and we'd love to do it again next March.
"One of our challenges is that, because the team is so successful, it is difficult to get tickets. But we distribute tickets via our Red Neighbours programme to local schools around Anfield and Kirkby. Beyond that, it is a real opportunity for local fans to get in and see some great football, at one of the best stadiums in the world, at a good price. We're lucky to have such a back catalogue of amazing talent. As long as that continues, I don't see why these games can't continue."
