Steven Gerrard was quick to rediscover his bond with Liverpool fans just minutes into his latest Anfield return.
The Aston Villa manager was back at his old stomping ground to play for a Reds legends side against Barcelona on Saturday, with proceeds from the match going toward the LFC Foundation.
Gerrard lined up alongside the likes of Jamie Carragher, Dirk Kuyt, Glen Johnson and Luis Garcia in the Reds side against a star-studded Barca outfit captained by Rivaldo, and it was the Liverpool skipper who forced the opening goal after just 14 minutes of the match.
After a trademark drive into the box, albeit moving a little slower than he used to, Gerrard was upended and the referee pointed to the spot.
The club's former captain picked himself up and duly dispatched the penalty with a minimum of fuss, slotting home confidently and blowing a kiss to the home fans.
However, that would prove to be Liverpool's only goal as a strike from Giovanni and a Rivaldo penalty earned Barca a 2-1 win at a packed Anfield.
Speaking when filmed at the club's AXA Training Centre on Friday as he limbered up for the game, Gerrard said: "Hello Reds, great to be back at the new AXA training ground preparing for tomorrow's game.
"I've heard it's a full house so well done to everyone who's coming to support us for all the good causes."
Sami Hyypia and Steve McManaman are amongst the other famous Reds names in the side, which is managed by Sir Kenny Dalglish.
Juliano Belletti, Edmilson, Gaizka Mendieta, Ludovic Guily and Javier Saviola are among the players available for the Catalan giants, with Garcia playing for both sides.
Gerrard was making his first return to Anfield since taking his Aston Villa side to Merseyside for a Premier League clash in December, which ended 1-0 to the Reds courtesy of second half Mohamed Salah penalty.
The former skipper was given a huge ovation by home fans on that occasion too, but Gerrard insisted that he was able to block out the emotions and focus on the job in hand, saying simply: “For me the priority is the support from the Aston Villa fans."
The Reds reverse fixture with Villa at Villa Park was scheduled for the weekend of April 16 but will have to be move after the Reds reached the FA Cup semi-final.
