A Luis Garcia brace, Ian Rush finish and John Aldridge goal has led the Liverpool Legends to a convincing 4-0 win over the Australian Legends at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night.
Garcia netted a goal in each half, with the assistance of Patrik Berger and Steven Gerrard, while Rush fired home from close range and Aldridge completed the scoring in stoppage time in what was a highly entertaining spectacle.
Over 40,000 fans were in full voice and provided a sea of red before kick-off for renditions of the Australian anthem and “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, evoking memories of Liverpool’s Melbourne visit in 2013.
Fans didn’t have to wait long to see Gerrard, who scored that night, on the ball, with the Reds legend firing a trademark 40-yard pass for Garcia on five minutes but he was unable to take advantage.
Former Sydney FC skipper Steve Corica had a couple of glorious chances to open the scoring for the Aussie Legends, with two one-on-one chances against goalkeeper Sander Westerveld.
David Zdrillic created the first chance for his former teammate, with Westerveld saving low to his right. The former Dutch international was helped by defender Jason McAteer in the second instance, who cleared his save off the line.
The Liverpool Legends opened the scoring shortly after with Berger piercing the home side’s backline with an incisive pass for Garcia.
The Spaniard, having made a great run into the box, was able to weave his way towards goal before unleashing a left-footed strike that beat Zeljko Kalac at his near post.
Gerrard had a great chance to double the advantage just before the break with his own one-on-one chance but Kalac was able to parry his slotted effort wide.
However Gerrard made up for his miss shortly into the second-half when he set up Liverpool’s second goal, the LA Galaxy midfielder floating a ball to the back post that allowed Garcia to head home from inside the six-yard box.
Liverpool Hall of Fame member Rush put his side 3-0 to the good after John Arne Riise made a run down the left wing and whizzed in a cross for the easiest of finishes.
Substitute Mile Sterjovski had a chance to pull a goal back for the Aussies midway through the second stanza when he received the ball after a darting run forward but his shot was smothered.
The winger forced a cracking save from Bruce Grobbelaar with five minutes remaining, with Robbie Slater spurning a chance to convert from the resulting corner.
It was the Reds that would have the final say on the scoreboard with Riise again the provider on the left, picking out Aldridge for a tap in to complete the 4-0 result.
Liverpool Legends FC: 4 (Garcia 27’, 52’, Rush 74’, Aldridge 90+2)
Australian Legends: 0
Attendance: 40,815 @ ANZ Stadium
