Sunday 29 March 2015

SPORT* FOOTBALL* LIVERPOOL FC. Gerrard XI 2-2 Carragher XI: Steven Gerrard strikes twice from the spot as Anfield raises money for charity. WATCH

Mario Balotelli and Didier Drogba struck for the Jamie Carragher XI, but Gerrard converted two penalties to level things out in front of a big Anfield crowd.

Liverpool stars past and present turned out in force to raise money for charity - as bragging rights between Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher were shared.
Luis Suarez, Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres were among those to give up their time for the Liverpool Foundation, along with those in the current side and greats from other teams.
Goals from Mario Balotelli and Didier Drogba put the Carragher XI ahead, but Steven Gerrard converted penalties in each half to level it off.
A sellout Anfield crowd gave each player rapturous applause, saying behind to wish the players well on their lap of honour.
On the pitch, Mario Balotelli scored from long-range after just eight minutes, finding the bottom corner with a superb right-foot strike, to put the Carragher XI ahead.
 Steven Gerrard celebrates with Luis Suarez after scoring the second goal for Steven Gerrard All-Stars from the penalty spot 
Dream trio: Suarez and Torres congratulate Gerrard on his second-half penalty


Stewart Downing then thumped a shot straight at Brad Jones, who saved well.
And Carragher's side doubled their lead after 21 minutes. Balotelli slid the ball through to Didier Drogba, who sidestepped round Jones before slotting home.
 Didier Drogba celebrates with Mario Balotelli after scoring the second goal for Jamie Carragher All Stars
Didier Drogba celebrates with Mario Balotelli after scoring the second goal for Jamie Carragher All Stars


Didier Drogba scores his goal to make it 0-2 during the Liverpool All-Star charity game
Old Drog, same tricks: Didier Drogba slides the ball home after a beautiful through-ball from Balotelli

Jon Flanagan made way for Alberto Moreno after 31 minutes as he continues his return to fitness, while Xabi Alonso was given a huge cheer as he was replaced by Joao Carlos Teixeira.
Gerrard himself cut the deficit with a penalty eight minutes before half-time after Jerome Sinclair was brought down in the box, slotting it to the left of Pepe Reina.
And then a chance to make it 2-2, created by the genius of Thierry Henry who feigned a shot, while passing the ball to Babel, who dragged his shot wide.


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GOAL! Steven Gerrard gives his side their first goal of the game. https://vine.co/v/OLqrPZ6UTMe

It was all change for the second-half as Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres came on for the Gerrard XI to a huge cheer from the Anfield faithful.
But it was a quiet start to the half, with chances few and far between, though Craig Bellamy's free-kick was well-saved by Jones.
That was until Jamie Carragher shamelessly brought Suarez down with a tug of the shirt, allowing Gerrard to convert his second penalty to level the scores.

Luis Suarez in action with Jamie Carragher  
Look Lu's back: Suarez was brought down by Carragher to enable Gerrard to equalise from the spot 



While the game petered out, with bragging rights shared, the football didn't matter so much.
The LFC Foundation will benefit massively from monies raised on a hugely successful afternoon.

How they lined up:

  • First-half Gerrard XI: Jones, Johnson, A Gerrard, Terry, Riise, S Gerrard, Alonso, Nolan, Babel, Sinclair, Henry.
  • Second-half Gerrard XI: Jones, Johnson, Dann, Williams, Warnock, Gerrard, Adam, Spearing, Babel, Torres, Suarez
  • First-half Carragher XI: Reina, Flanagan, Carragher, Kelly, Arbeloa, Lucas, Shelvey, Kewell, Downing, Drogba, Balotelli.
  • Second-half Carragher XI: Reina, Clichy, Kelly, Moreno, Carragher, Lucas, Noone, Borini, Bellamy, Balotelli, Garcia 
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