Jamie Carragher’s testimonial match; Liverpool XI defeat Everton XI - Part 1
The Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher’s Liverpool XI have won their testimonial match against Everton XI at Anfield. The match was a reminiscence of the old times when Carra scored goals on each side.
The Liverpool legend scored from the spot in the first half to hand a goal for the Reds but before that he did convert a penalty own-goal for the club he supported when he was young.
Luis Garcia was the man who scored the opener in the second minute and therefore gifted the lead. After that it was fate’s play as the 32 year old veteran scored for the Reds and with it celebrated his 14 years of duty for the club.
The match did look one sided however as Carragher asked his old friends to play for him. In the end he mustered up a formidable line up that could threaten good teams even today. The team included world class midfielders that also happened to be Carra’s Liverpool team mates; Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole. Along with them he called upon his former team mates Michael Owen, Luis Garcia, Emile Heskey, Danny Murphy and Jerzy Dudek.
End result, the Carragher XI was a team that many would marvel today. Had this been a real rivalry match then Reds would have out classed the Blues but lucky for the Toffees the match happened in an enjoyable atmosphere.
Nevertheless, Everton too had some good players in them and the original team which is currently managed by David Moyes could threaten to conquer if things had been more serious.
The Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was not allowed by the England manager Fabio Capello to play the whole match as he had been called on international duty for Euro 2012. England just recently thrashed Bulgaria 4-0 and after the Three Lions’ dismissive World Cup campaign, the Italian manager wants a respectable position in the tournament, therefore understandably wants to take no risks with his players.
So, Gerrard was replaced just after 10 minutes by Murphy. England have already lost their two men from the first qualification match. Incidentally both are Tottenham Hotspur players, Michael Dawson and Jermain Defoe; both sustained leg injuries. Defoe also scored a hat trick in the Bulgaria match.
The Liverpool skipper Gerrard has also spent all his life with Liverpool, just like Carragher. The 30 year old Scouse has acquired 536 caps and has scored 133 times. There were doubts of his departure to Real Madrid this season but they were nullified as the transfer window closed. Gerrard also helped to attain former Chelsea player Joe Cole in the team this year. The 28 year old forward seemed quite happy with his transfer and is hoping for Liverpool to progress and rejoin the Top 4.
There was drama on the benches of Kop too. The former Liverpool Football Club manager Gerard Houllier seemed to be warming up and ready for action. Rumours are rife about him being wanted by Aston Villa for their managerial position which happens to be vacant at the moment. On the benches he was deep in talk with the current Anfield boss Roy Hodgson and apparently they seemed to be talking about the Merseyside and Houllier’s possible return to the English Premier League.
Present Manchester United striker Michael Owen was the man conflicted to be a villain and hero at the same time. The fans and the crowd showed similar response as he received both cheers and boos from them every time he got the ball.
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