With the international break now in full flow, Liverpool legends took over Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
Players from throughout the Reds’ illustrious past returned to the club to take on an assembled Ajax XI and raise money for the LFC Foundation.
Although there were some big names on displays for Liverpool, the man everyone wanted to see was Fernando Torres. And having looked sharp in training last night, El Nino did not disappoint.
He had to wait a while for his goal, but wearing the No.9 on his back, Torres eventually rounded off the scoring, sliding home to put Liverpool 4-2 up in front of the Kop.
Fernando Torres scores for Liverpool
No, this isn’t 2007 all over again, Fernando Torres has really scored a goal at Anfield, with a liver bird on his chest.
In truth, it was hardly a vintage Torres goal. But he showed his predatory instincts, hanging out in the six-yard box and bundling home a Mark Gonzalez cross.
From there, it was pure nostalgia from the Spaniard. Running towards the Kop, Torres did a trademark knee slide before opening his arms out wide to the jubilant fans.
As seen in a clip from X account LFCOriginals, the 40-year-old was then mobbed by former teammates Nabil El Zhar and – of course – Steven Gerrard.
What else happened in the legends game
As it always is, the legends game this afternoon was a really entertaining affair. Liverpool didn’t start the match well at all and were actually 2-0 down at the break.
But following half-time, the team – led by lifelong Reds fan Sven Goran Eriksson – turned things up a notch.
French left-back Gregory Vignal brought them back to within one goal, before Djibril Cisse levelled the score with a close-range header.
El Zhar then showed why he should perhaps have been given more chances at Liverpool by dribbling through and finishing expertly.
And then it was time for Torres. The World Cup winner had looked desperate for a goal all game. One of only two players to play the full 90 minutes at Anfield, he was the one supporters wanted to see find the net.
Finally, with just a few minutes left on the clock, Torres and the fans got their moment. He may have left under a cloud in 2011, but this was a special, special moment. Cathartic.