Liverpool vs AC Milan Legends: Steven Gerrard’s last-minute winner delights Anfield crowd
Liverpool Legends 3-2 AC Milan Glorie: Liverpool’s talisman secured the victory with a vintage half-volley in the game's dying moments
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.As the international break took hold, the ageing heroes returned to Anfield in their hoards as Steven Gerrard thrashed home a last-gasp winner to secure Liverpool Legends a 3-2 victory over AC Milan Glorie.
The game, played with intent, albeit half-speed, started as a stroll for Kenny Dalglish's side, with cumbersome poacher Robbie Fowler giving Liverpool the lead with a wonderful flick off the outside of the boot.
Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen and Djibril Cisse all returned for the Reds, and it was the latter who stretched Liverpool's lead to two on the stroke of half-time, breezing past the 52-year-old Alessandro Costacurta before calmly slotting past Dida in the Milan goal.
But then it was the turn of a legend-inundated Milan side, featuring Andrea Pirlo, Kaka, Cafu and Gennaro Gattuso, to prance on the stage. After Kaka was scythed down by Daniel Agger on the edge of the box, Pirlo nonchalantly swept a free-kick up and over the wall with little more than a shrug of the shoulders.
Then, with just three minutes remaining, Giuseppe Pancaro curled a deft finish from the edge of the box into the top corner to put the game on tenterhooks.
But, as if scripted by the Kop crowd themselves, Gerrard stormed through the centre of the pitch as the seconds ticked down, shirked off the challenges of two defenders, and drove the ball into the net off the inside of the post. A fitting end to a sun-blushed afternoon touched by fading stardust.
Please allow a moment for the blog to load.
16 min: It's almost a fabulous goal from Liverpool. Gerrard and Kuyt exchange passes on the right-wing, before the Dutchman flings a deftly weighted ball into the box. Luis Garcia is completely unmarked, but his glancing header drifts wide.
22 min: A lovely strike from Rui Costa who idles with possession on the edge of the box before driving his laces through the ball, which bullets towards the top corner. Dudek is comfortably beaten but the ball blisters beyond the upright by a whisker.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 AC Milan(Fowler, 25)
Traore swings a cross in and Fowler leaps into the air and flicks the ball into the bottom corner off the outside of his boot. A classy finish from the veteran to give Liverpool the lead.
29 min: A lovely piece of skill from Luis Garcia who wriggles his way into the box before blasting a shot straight at the palms of Dida who ably beats the ball away. A nice piece of goalkeeping from the Brazilian.
34 min: Cafu breaks down the right before looking to swipe the ball across the face of goal for Inzaghi. Carragher careers in from behind and makes the clearance, but the linesman's flag is up. That's the first glimpse of goal Milan have had for a while.
38 min: Kaka forces Dudek into a great diving save after the former Player of the Year lingered on the edge of the box to collect Cafu's pass and drive for the corner.
HT: Liverpool Legends 1-0 AC Milan Glorie
Liverpool take a one-goal advantage into the break courtesy of Robbie Fowler's deft finish.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments