A team of Liverpool legends beat Manchester United 2-1 at Anfield, wrapping up a 5-2 aggregate win over their old rivals in the 'Legends of the North' charity matches
Liverpool came from behind to beat Manchester United 2-1 in the second leg of the Legends of the North series.
Having won the first encounter 3-1 at Old Trafford earlier this year, the Reds were well fancied to record an aggregate victory. But United got off to the best possible start when Dimitar Berbatov opened the scoring in spectacular fashion.
After a cautious start to the game, Danny Pugh expertly took down a cross and laid the ball into the path of Berbatov, who - with his first touch - curled the ball into the top corner.
But Liverpool used their greater squad to rotate their options and that freshness proved vital as goals from Mark Gonzalez and Florent Sinama Pongolle earned them the win. That ensured Roy Keane's first United appearance in 17 years ended in disappointment.
All proceeds raised from the fixture will support LFC Foundation's community programmes, as well as Forever Reds, Cash for Kids and IntoUniversity.
Talking points
Liverpool were worthy winners and the changes from the bench were undoubtedly the difference. Brilliant to see the likes of Xabi Alonso strutting his stuff again though. He was the star of the show.
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16:50Ben Husband
Full time
And Liverpool have won. The right winners, Liverpool's extra legs the difference. And Xabi Alonso.
16:36Ben Husband
Skrtel has gone off
Thankfully Skrtel has walked off under his own power, but that's his afternoon.
16:32Ben Husband
Roy Keane is on
And the boos are ringing around Anfield. This is box office
16:32Ben Husband
Games paused
Nasty clash of heads between Campbell and Skrtel and the Liverpool defender is still on the ground
16:29Ben Husband
70' 1-1
It comes against the run of play but Ronny Johnsen almost put United in front. A great header from a Pugh corner, it was going in but Westerweld saved well.
16:25Ben Husband
68' 1-1
Another chance for Liverpool but Aurelio heads wide. Just over 20 minutes to go
16:23Ben Husband
Man Utd sub
But no Keane...we all know why we are here. Get it done
16:18Ben Husband
60' 1-1
30 minutes to go. Some very tired legs out there and as you'd expect, the pace of the game is down to that of a snail. Liverpool look more likely to win, if either side do.
16:09Ben Husband
51,' 1-1
All Liverpool now and Robbie Keane nearly gives the Reds the lead, but his header is turned around the post by Van der Gouw. United are flagging...time for the other Mr Keane?
16:04Key Event
LIVERPOOL GOAL 1-1
And those changes have paid off. Liverpool are back in it, Robbie Keane created it following a Stam error. Squared it for Mark Gonzalez who made no mistake. Game on
16:03Ben Husband
Second half underway
And Liverpool have made a few changes. On comes Robbie Keane, Albert Riera, Mark Gonzalez, Albert Rieria, Luis Garcia, Salif Diao and Florent Sinama-Pongolle.

Half timeBen Husband
Liverpool Legends 0-1 Man Utd Legends
That's the first half completed. United have the lead through a brilliant Berbatov strike, but aside from him - and Xabi Alonso - the quality hasn't been the greatest to be honest.
15:43Ben Husband
41' 0-1
Liverpool were close to one of the best goals I've seen all season.
Alonso - who is still absolutely class by the way - has just sprayed an unreal 40-yard diagonal onto the boot of Antony Le Tallec who caught it on the volley...but it went wide.
15:36Ben Husband
Stam stands out
Jaap Stam, now 50, still looks an absolute colossus for United at the back. What a player
15:34Ben Husband
32, 0-1
Dangerous free-kick for Man Utd as Andriy Voronin hacks down Danny Pugh on the edge of the box. Berbatov tries to take it quickly, but Dudek saves well. Gone a little bit quiet, although there is a bit of extra bite between the two teams now.
15:24Ben Husband
21' 0-1
Liverpool have come into this one a little, but United still look dangerous on the break and Frazier Campbell almost got himself through on goal.
15:16Ben Husband
14' - LFC 0-1 MUFC
Liverpool should be level! Luis Garcia races beyond United's backline but is denied by Van der Gouw.
15:09Key Event
GOAL Man Utd 0-1
And that had been coming. Berbatov has just scored an absolutely wondeful goal. It's a lovely touch into the Bulgarian who - on the outside of his foot - curls one into the top corner.
15:06Ben Husband
6' - LFC 0-0 MUFC
First half-chance for United as Berbatov gets the ball in the area feints past two players and tries a chip, which trickles to the keeper. Dudek then has to make a smart stop from distance, visitors definitely started the better..
15:03Ben Husband
We're underway
The game is underway and it's taken Xabi Alonso less than a minute to show his trademark passing range, spraying out a brilliant 40-yard pass to create the first opportunity.
14:57Ben Husband
Players are in the tunnel
Michael Carrick will lead out Manchester United and the hosts brought out by Xabi Alonso. Anfield is pretty much full.
Should be a great occasion. Kick off is minutes away...
14:22Ben Husband
All you need is Rush (and King Kenny!)
Kenny Dalglish back in the home dugout today, along with Ian Rush.

14:16Ben Husband
Man Utd 'legends' you've forgot about
As so often happens in these types of games, a glance down the teamsheet will bring some back brilliant memories of some unbelievable players in their prime.
There will also be few eyebrow-raisers included, but at Mirror Football we love an obscure former footballer. So here's a handy guide for those you may not be as familiar with...
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5 Man Utd 'legends' you forgot played for them including five minute Premier League career
14:03Key Event
Man Utd team news
13:50Ben Husband
Fans are arriving

13:45Key Event
Liverpool's starting XI
Xabi Alonso will skipper the home side, while Martin Skrtel, Jerzy Dudek and Stewart Downing are alsp there. And who could forget their striker...Andriy Voronin. A true Liverpool legend.
Starting XI: Dudek, Kvarme, Henchoz, Skrtel, Vignal, Sissoko, Downing, Alonso, Maxi, Le Tallec, Voronin.
Subs: Westerveld, Diao, Aurelio, Traore, Gonzalez, Riera, Johnson, Keane, Sinama-Pongolle, Garcia.
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 05: Head coach Xabi Alonso of Real Sociedad B looks on during the LaLiga Smartbank match between Real Sociedad B and CD Lugo at Reale Arena on February 05, 2022 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Ion Alcoba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
13:43Ben Husband
The Liverpool 'legends' you may have forgot
Some modern heroes have been named in the squad, from Istanbul icons Jerzy Dudek and Xabi Alonso, to 'treble' winners Sander Westerveld and Stephane Henchoz. As ever, there is also the selection of players who pulled on a red shirt once upon a time without ever really setting Anfield alight - your Salif Diaos and your Andriy Voronins - cult figures in their own... unique way.
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