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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Theo Squires

Liverpool Legends player 'ratings' vs Celtic as Ragnar Klavan incredible and Steven Gerrard lively

Sander Westerveld

A quiet first half for the Dutchman, truth be told, not that he’ll have any complaints! Kept out a couple of efforts from distance and was a vocal presence at the back.

Bjorn Tore Kvarme

A willing runner up the right early on. Flew into one tackle and seemed to take a knock to his knee in the process. Withdrawn early as a result.

Martin Skrtel

Did really well to win Liverpool’s first-half penalty, stealing the ball in midfield, bursting into the box before being taken out following a smart turn. Solid defensively, won everything in the air. Beat Niall McGinn with one smart Cruyff turn.

LIVE: How Liverpool Legends 2 Celtic Legends 0 unfolded

Sami Hyypia

Enjoyed his battle with former team-mate Robbie Keane. Nutmegged by the Irishman on one occasion, but kept him away from goal for the majority. Like Skrtel, dominant in the air. Carried on after one heavy knock.

Ragnar Klavan

The star performer by far for Liverpool! The first true Jurgen Klopp ‘Legend’, he started at centre-back but soon took on more of a free-role as he raced forward down the left. Linked up well with Steven Gerrard and nearly set up an opener for Dirk Kuyt with a smart knockdown. Sent a second-half header wide. Spared blushes by a disallowed own goal, mind!

Gregory Vignal

Switched to centre-back so Klavan could get further forward. Earned a few boos from the travelling support for his Rangers allegiances, but kept their forwards quiet.

Steve McManaman

Another player forced off early on as he headed straight down the tunnel. The 51-year-old’s days of covering every blade of grass are now sadly over. Utilised in a deeper midfield role, a quiet contribution.

Salif Diao

Injured inside the opening 10 minutes with an apparent muscle issue. Tried to carry on before giving in and being replaced by Momo Sissoko. Did play one great long ball forward to Kvarme after his initial knock, though.

Charlie Adam

Some of the players involved look like they could still be playing professionally. Legends debutant Charlie Adam is not one of them. A pantomime villain for the Celtic fans, his set-pieces are still on point at least, though perhaps no longer worth the £10m alone that Sir Alex Ferguson once claimed!

Steven Gerrard

No longer the star man for Liverpool Legends, but will have been delighted to score against Celtic, having been jeered by their away support throughout. Lively in the final third, half-time changes saw him drop deeper. Completed the full 90 minutes and played a few trademark long passes as the Reds looked to extend their lead.

Dirk Kuyt

An unenviable task as Liverpool’s lone forward, the Dutchman was always a willing recipient for the ball but final touch let him down in the box at times. Saw a couple of half-chances go begging.

SUBS

Momo Sissoko (on for Diao, 15)

A physical presence as ever, loved throwing himself into sliding challenges in the middle of the park.

Fabio Aurelio (on for Kvarme, 15)

Must wish the Liverpool Legends could recruit a natural right-back, so he could actually get a game on his favoured side. Passed the ball around well when getting forward, but no chances to deliver some trademark left-footed crosses.

Mark Gonzalez (on for McManaman, 25)

Scored three times during his Liverpool career. Now has four goals for the Legends after scoring at the Kop once again. Loves this stage, evidently. A well-taken strike after leaving a defender on his backside in the box and finding the bottom corner. Came back on five minutes after being replaced after Garcia picked up a knock.

Jerzy Dudek (on for Westerveld, 46)

Parried one long-range strike behind. Like Westerveld before him, had little else to do. Kept a clean sheet courtesy of a couple of disallowed Celtic goals.

Albert Riera (on for Adam, 46)

More central-midfielder than winger, these days. Sitting deeper with Gerrard, he got further forward than Liverpool’s starting midfielders at least. Won a couple of physical battles in the engine room.

Djibril Cisse (on for Kuyt, 46)

Is still very quick as he looked to get in behind the defence. Played one great cross to Klavan, who headed wide, and another late on to Riera at the far post. Every so often he’s quoted saying he wants to come out of retirement so he can try and reach 100 Ligue 1 goals. On this evidence, the 41-year-old is still fit enough at least.

Luis Garcia (on for Vignal, 46)

Trademark Luis Garcia. A few smart touches and a few erratic passes. Nearly claimed a late assist courtesy of a smart one-two with Keane. Took a knock in the process and was replaced straight after.

Robbie Keane (on for Sissoko, 74)

Nearly played in by former LA Galaxy team-mate Gerrard. Denied by Shay Given in front of the Kop late on after linking up with Garcia. Then offside when running onto a lofted pass from Gerrard. The Kop really wanted the boyhood Red to score but, alas, it wasn’t to be.

Gary McAllister (on for Gonzalez, 80)

Boos from the Celtic fans when he came on for a brief cameo. We still love your baldy head, Gary Mac!

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