Player Ratings – Liverpool Legends 4 Australia Legends 0

Player Ratings – Liverpool Legends 4 Australia Legends 0

By
Hugh Schuitemaker
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The legends of Liverpool football put on a show in a commanding 4-0 victory over the Australian Legends team earlier tonight.

Despite the ‘legends’ moniker this was no relaxed contest, with both sides showing spark from the outset and utilising the wings to create attacking space.

Although the hosts showed some early danger on the counter through Steve Corica, the Red legends took a deserved 29th minute lead when Patrik Berger’s through ball picked out Luis Garcia to finish into the bottom-corner. Some outstanding goalkeeping at either end kept the scoreline narrow at halftime, with Sander Westerveld and Zeljko Kalac both making impressive stops in one-on-one situations.

With unlimited substitutions available, a cavalcade of Australian and Liverpool football greats spanning decades would showcase throughout the second-half of the match. A second for Garcia would extend Liverpool’s lead on the end of a classic Steven Gerrard cross, largely taking the wind out of Australia’s sails.

The icing on the cake was delivered in the best possible fashion for the visitors, with Liverpool’s highest-ever goalscorer Ian Rush left with a 73rd minute tap-in finish and John Aldridge making it 4-0 in the final moments.

Socceroos Legends

Zeljko Kalac – 7: The greying spider displayed some great reflexes between the sticks, but unfortunately was no Lionel Messi at the other end. Clearly enjoyed his first-half stop of a low drive from Gerrard.

Scott Chipperfield – 4: Had some nervous touches early and was under continuous pressure from the likes of Berger and Garcia.

Alex Tobin – 5.5: No lack of effort in the tackle from the legend, yet the likes of Berger and Gerrard were inevitably going to be a step quicker than the 50-year-old defender.

Hayden Foxe – 7.5: A player who did not need the spotlight to exhibit his best work, had no fear fighting for possession against Liverpool’s best.

Josip Skoko – 5: Too focused on attack for Graham Arnold’s liking and was substituted for Tony Vidmar just after the half-hour. Returned for the last 20 minutes, although the momentum was far in Liverpool’s favour by then.

Mile Sterjovski – 7: Provided some good attacking service in combination with Skoko and put a late shot just wide of the post.

Brett Emerton – 7.5: A proper workhorse, Emerton can still battle it out with the best in the midfield.

Ned Zelic – 4.5: Was left a bit red-faced after the fast paced opening and took a rest before the half-hour before rejoining for the late stages. Had some presence in the midfield, but could not translate his lyrical skills back onto the field.

Jason Culina – 7: A standout of the Australian side, threw his body into the midfield battle and fought for possession. Left the field just before the hour-mark.

Steve Corica – 8: Arguably had the best chances for the Australian team, forcing a decent low save from Westerveld and having another shot agonisingly cleared off the line in the first-half.

David Zdrilic – 6.5: Fitness was solid compared to some teammates, yet the Sydney United alumni’s instincts could have been a bit sharper around the six-yard box as targets were lacking up front.

Substitutes

Craig Foster – 4.5: Replaced Zelic early and though his beard is magnificent, the fuel tanks quickly ran dry.

Tony Vidmar – 5: The former-Socceroo captain did not enough of the ball and was put on the back-foot byLiverpool’s attacking creativity

Ante Milicic – 4.5: Distribution to teammates was good, yet the Socceroos assistant coach needed to be hungier for possession.

Clint Bolton – 5.5: Had to deal with the Liverpool onslaught toward the end as his defenders tired.

Robbie Slater – 4: Perhaps the most eager man on the field finally had his chance to shine for the last half-hour, but only seemed to be a thorn in the side of the referee. Put his only shot well-wide of the post in the 83rd.

 

Liverpool Legends

Sander Westerveld – 7: The 41-year-old made great stops against Corica and Zdrilic. Could give Simon Mignolet a run for his money based on this performance.

Jamie Carragher – 7.5: Another typical performance from one of Liverpool’s best ever defenders, a brick wall which stopped much of Australia’s attacking momentum.

Stephane Henchoz – 6: Let the Australian attackers in-behind on the odd occasion but did not have much to do inside his own half. Substituted at halftime.

John Arne Riise – 6.5: Not really tested defensively , but can still make the overlapping runs down the wing which used to terrorise Premier League defences. Played a deft pass across goal which setup Rush for his memorable goal.

Jason McAteer – 6: Got a bit too adventurous and left his custodian with work to do on a few occasions, faded after the first 20 minutes or so and made way for Fabio Aurelio.

Dietmar Hamann – 6.5: Covered both ends of the pitch and would hold-up the possession when needed for the Reds.

Steven Gerrard – 8: The iconic midfielder took up the captain’s armband and once more led Liverpool to victory. Managed to keep his feet for the entire contest and a picturesque cross to an unmarked Garcia led to the second goal.

Patrik Berger – 8.5: Played a number of incisive through balls into the final third, setting up Garcia for the opening goal. One of the best on the pitch and was nearly collapsing by the end after giving his all.

Luis Garcia – 9: Sliced through the Australian defence throughout the match, providing a highlight-reel finish to beat Kalac at the near post for his first and putting the match beyond reach with a great header.

Vladimir Smicer – 5.5: Used his mass well in trying to bully his way around the 18-yard area, but was replaced by Gary McAllister in the 34th minute.

Robbie Fowler – 7: There is still a spring in the step of the veteran striker, who was unfortunate to have some good strikes denied by Kalac.

Substitutes

Gary McAllister – 5.5: Capably dealt with the Australian threat through the middle.

Fabio Aurelio – 5.5: Had the duty to cover Slater on the wing, which did not make for the most intensive of second-half responsibilities.

Igor Biscan – 6.5: Kept a good defensive line, catching Zdrilic offside on a couple of important moments.

Phil Babb – 6: Stayed composed throughout the second-half to keep the Liverpool clean sheet intact.

Bruce Grobberlaar – 6: Had to deal with an attempt at goal from his Australian counterpart Kalac, but was capably commanding at the near-post.

Ian Rush – 7: Provided the moment all Liverpool fans would have wanted to see when he found the net with a 73rd minute tap-in for the final goal.

John Aldridge – 7: Possibly only had one touch of the ball, yet it was the final goal in the last moments of stoppage-time.

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