Liverpool FC Legends and Australian Legends Football teams met the media in Sydney on Wednesday 6 January, a day ahead of their game at ANZ Stadium.
Steven Gerrard, who made 710 appearances for Liverpool, will be representing his old club for the first time since joining LA Galaxy summer in the summer of 2015.
Hopefully therell be many more of these occasions, as the guys all said. You know, its great to be part of an occasion like this. Almost like a reunion of all the players we played with. Heroes of mine that I grew up watching and also to play for Gerrard (Houllier) again as well, its a special occasion for all of us. So hopefully therell be many more in the pipeline when I come back from America, he said.
Gerrard is hoping the match on 7 January will keep him one step ahead of his LA Galaxy team- mates: For me personally I want to get a bit of fitness out of the game. I want to play with the players that I played throughout my career at Liverpool and also to play with some of the heroes that I grew up watching – the likes of Ian Rush, John Aldridge and Bruce Grobbelaar just to name a few.
Also good opposition for me. Im about to go back to the MLS for pre-season training so I want to try and get as many minutes under my belt as I can and try and have a little bit of a headstart on my team-mates in America.
Gerrard added that the team was ready for the match and looking forward to the challenge. Anyone that competes against Liverpool, whether it be Under-8s, first-team level, exhibition, friendly, everyone wants to beat Liverpool. So were aware of the challenge, were looking forward to it, and they want to win, we want to win – I think its got all the makings to be a good occasion, he said.
Manager Gerrard Houllier, who was in charge of Liverpool from 1998-2004 said he is proud to be back with The Reds and with many of the old players he helped succeed.
I was very privileged, and we are lucky to have them and to able to coach them on a daily basis. But they were very successful, they made the success of the club and emotionally it was something special, to be in front of them a few minutes ago, and I think well enjoy the event, he said.
