Liverpool vs. Manchester United: Score and Reaction from 2015 Legends Match
Manchester United defeated their old enemy Liverpool in a sparkling legends match, winning 4-2 at the Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.
Goals from Karel Poborsky, Dwight Yorke, Bojan Djordjic and Jesper Blomqvist were enough for United on the night in a charity match organised for the two clubs' foundations.
The teams were managed by Bryan Robson and Ian Rush—who both featured on the night—and it was Captain Marvel who was celebrating at the final whistle.
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Liverpool captain Robbie Fowler upped the stakes before the game, highlighting the rivalry, per LFC Xtra:
Liverpool took the lead after 19 minutes as Raimond van der Gouw punched a cross straight onto the head of Vladimir Smicer, who nodded the ball home into the corner of the net.
But United were back on level terms just four minutes later as Poborsky produced magic for the equaliser. The former Czech superstar combined beautifully with Yorke and Keith Gillespie, and then he chipped the goalkeeper with a cool finish—which rolled back the years.
Denis Irwin tried to claim the goal from the midfielder, as he followed the ball over the line, but the finish was clearly Pob's.
Manchester United shared the wonderful effort on social media:
The Scousers were almost ahead once again just 60 seconds later as Fowler nearly produced a trademark finish, but he hit the United post.
Liverpool continued to apply pressure to United's defence, but it was the Red Devils who took the lead as Yorke converted a cross from Djordjic.
A sumptuous passing move put Djordjic through on the left-wing, and Yorke volleyed home to claim his goal.
Fowler lit the touch paper just before half-time, following through on a tackle on Djordjic, nearly earning himself a yellow card. However, Jason McAteer did earn himself a caution after a blatant foul upended Blomqvist as he ran through on goal.
Fowler then believed he had earned himself a penalty with the last kick of the half after being body checked by Irwin as the last man.
But the referee ruled the full-back had touched the ball and waved away the Liverpool skipper's appeal.
United started the second half as they ended the first—as Djordjic capitalised on poor communication in the Liverpool defence, slotting away from 35 yards to grab United's third. Substitute 'keeper Sander Westerveld presented the opportunity for Bojan, and he expertly steered his finish home.
Liverpool peppered the United goal on several occasions but Van der Gouw was in sensational form, palming away a number of efforts.
However, the star of the match was treble winner Blomqvist, who rounded Westerveld and finished with aplomb to add United's fourth—in front of his home-nation crowd.
Phil Babb then added his name to the referee's book as he earned a yellow card for an aggressive check on Gillespie. The foul winded the Irishman on his legends debut, leaving the winger prostrate on the floor.
Rush came on in the last 15 minutes as the Anfield side chased the game; Robson departed the match at the same point after a solid display at centre-back. And Liverpool were given hope with 10 minutes left on the clock as David Thompson made it 4-2 with a smart finish.
However, the Reds failed to cause the Old Trafford giants further problems and the game ended after a six-goal thriller.
United dominated proceedings despite an eager start from Liverpool, and three players took the result out of the Merseysiders' hands.
Poborsky, Djordjic and Blomqvist were in a class of their own, well above the standard that the Liverpool defence could cope with.
Despite the game being a friendly, the competition was hot throughout the 90 minutes, and a legends game of this magnitude would be welcomed on English shores in the future.
Post-Match Reaction
Ian Rush reflected on his side's defeat on Thursday, admitting his team had been beaten by a stronger and fitter opponent:
Rush was clearly disappointed by the result, but United's superior technical ability on the ball was evident for most of the match.
However, both teams' football foundations will benefit from proceeds raised, meaning charity is the true winner in Stockholm.
