Liverpool FC v Real Madrid CF, at Anfield… Next season, we hope, it might be another Champions League fixture in the making. Much sooner, to whet the appetite, former superstars from both clubs will be playing exhibition stuff at our new-look stadium for a great cause.
Make a note of the date: Saturday 25 March 2017. That’s when the Liverpool FC Foundation Legends Charity Match 2017 takes place at Anfield between a team of world-class ex-Reds and their Real Madrid counterparts. All proceeds will go to LFC Foundation, the club’s official charity which aims to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people.
Two years ago a crowd of 60,000 watched the first Legends match at the Bernabeu, won 4-2 by Real. Among the stellar cast on show were, for Liverpool FC: Ian Rush, Luis Garcia, Patrik Berger, Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and Harry Kewell. And for Madrid: Roberto Carlos, Zinedine Zidane, Clarence Seedorf, Claude Makelele, and ex-Reds striker Fernando Morientes. Also appearing was Steve McManaman, who played 45 minutes for each side. Expect the same calibre of team-sheets for this Anfield return.
As well as a collective 15 European Cup wins, there's always been great respect between the two clubs. In 1981 Liverpool FC famously beat the Spanish giants to claim a third European Cup, and 28 years later the Reds knocked Real out of the Champions League first knock-out stage.
When Kopites travelled to Madrid for the Champions League group game in November 2014, they were greeted by a banner in the home end which read: 'WELCOME LIVERPOOL SUPPORTERS. THE BIG CLUBS HAVE BIG FANS'. The earlier group game at Anfield, in October 2014, remembered for a virtuoso performance by Cristiano Ronaldo, also left a mark on Real legend Emilio Butragueno who was there as a spectator.
He recalls: “We came here, played very well, and something drew my attention: the reception we witnessed from the Liverpool fans. At the end of the game they applauded us. When you lose 3-0 at home you are upset, but in spite of that they were very pleasant to us. When you play away it’s rare to experience that behaviour.”
Now 'El Buitre', as he was known in his goalscoring heyday, can't wait to be back for the Legends match. “Anfield is one of the temples of football. This is the ‘return leg’ if you like, and we all hope it will be another marvellous spectacle and of course a good opportunity for everyone to come together and give something back to the local community. Reds legend Robbie Fowler adds: “We’re really looking forward to playing Real Madrid again. We hope to put on a good show for our fans in the first Legends game held at Anfield while raising funds for LFC Foundation.”
Tickets are priced £20 for adults and £5 juniors, while hospitality starts from £50 per person. Click here for more details.
