
Anfield Index
·23 March 2025
Liverpool Legends win 2-0 as Peter Crouch steals the show against Chelsea

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Yahoo sportsAnfield Index
·23 March 2025
There are moments in football when time feels like it folds in on itself. Saturday at Anfield was one of them. Peter Crouch, all limbs and nostalgia, came off the bench and reminded everyone why he was once a cult hero on Merseyside. His two goals—one a trademark header, the other a deft lob—lifted Liverpool Legends to a 2-0 win over Chelsea Legends, in a game that reignited memories of a fierce rivalry born two decades ago.
Crouch’s iconic robot celebration made a return too, to the delight of a full house at Anfield. “It’s one of those days you don’t forget,” said one fan. And for Crouch, it must have felt like slipping into an old suit that still fits just right.
This wasn’t just an exhibition match. Liverpool vs Chelsea has always meant something, ever since their titanic clashes in the 2004/05 season. Five meetings that year, including a Champions League semi-final and a League Cup final, laid the foundation for one of modern football’s defining rivalries.
That era produced sliding doors moments for both clubs. Liverpool marched to European glory in Istanbul after beating Chelsea in the semis. Meanwhile, the League Cup win helped kickstart Chelsea’s first Premier League title win in 50 years.
Sir Kenny Dalglish managed the Liverpool side, naming a strong XI with Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypiä, Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuyt and Jerzy Dudek. Roberto Di Matteo countered with Chelsea favourites like Claude Makelele, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Dennis Wise and Gianfranco Zola.
There was no shortage of competitive edge either. Jay Spearing and Wise clashed throughout the first half, while Babel unintentionally blocked a certain goal-bound effort from Gregory Vignal.
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In the second half, Crouch got on the end of a pinpoint cross from Florent Sinama Pongolle to nod Liverpool ahead. Minutes later, he made it 2-0 with a calm lob over Rob Green.
Chelsea had chances—Robert Huth drew a big save from Sander Westerveld and Jon Harley went close—but it wasn’t enough. Crouch was simply too much.
As Gianfranco Zola made a late cameo, the atmosphere stayed electric. This was a feel-good fixture with a cause: all proceeds went to the LFC Foundation, Forever Reds, Chelsea FC Foundation, and the Chelsea Players’ Trust.