Steven Gerrard is back at Liverpool and wearing red as he prepares for a legends game this weekend.
With the international break upon us Premier League football comes to a temporary halt. It has freed up the Aston Villa boss and he will team up with some old colleagues on Merseyside this weekend. It means Gerrard, who spent his career at Melwood, is now at Kirby at the new Liverpool training ground.
Donning the club's colours once more, the former skipper said on a video on social media: "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."
Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Dirk Kuyt and Steve McManaman are among the former Liverpool stars who will again appear for the Reds. Kenny Dalglish will lead the team, assisted by Ian Rush and John Barnes.
Barcelona meanwhile will be led by Albert Ferrer. He will be able to call upon 1999 Ballon d'Or winner Rivaldo and Juliano Belletti, the former Chelsea defender who scored the winner in the 2006 Champions League final.
Edmilson, Gaizka Mendieta, Ludovic Guily and Javier Saviola are the players available for the Catalan giants. The fixture will help to raise funds for a variety of LFC Foundation projects. Matt Parish, chief executive of the doundation, said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Anfield for our first charity match in three years.
"The line-up of confirmed legends is impressive and I’m sure they will put on a fun and competitive match for the crowd at Anfield and fans watching at home. The Legends charity match is our principal fundraiser, and the proceeds raised make a huge difference to the work both we and our charity partners provide supporting children, young people, families and communities across Merseyside and beyond.”
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Gerrard being back on Merseyside is nothing new now that he's back working in England. Villa lured him from Rangers, where he'd won the Scottish title, and already he has led the team at Anfield and Goodison Park. Villa were able to see off Everton early in his tenure.
The 41-year-old then made his much anticipated return to Anfield, albeit in the away dugout, back in December. His side were beaten 1-0 with Mo Salah notching the winner. Gerrard is earmarked as a future Liverpool boss and an impressive spell at Villa Park may well seen him billed as the man to replace Jurgen Klopp, whose deal expires in 2024.
The German said previously on Gerrard taking over at Liverpool: “I think it will definitely happen – and it will be good for everybody. Everything he did so far looks good and he’s going in absolutely the right direction. The only problem is when is the right moment for that. We saw it with Frank [Lampard] at Chelsea. Stevie is doing really well but is very young from a manager’s point of view."
