Peter Crouch brings back iconic celebration as history made in Liverpool Legends match
Liverpool and Chelsea stars of yesteryear took to the field at Anfield in a Legends match to raise money for charity, and it was Reds hero Peter Crouch who stole the show
Former England and Liverpool star Peter Crouch treated fans to his famous robot celebration after scoring for Liverpool Legends against Chelsea. The 44-year-old reserved the move for England matches during his playing career, but couldn't resist bringing it back out when he opened the scoring.
Crouch was introduced as one of a number of half-time substitutes, and wasted little time breaking the deadlock. There was plenty for him to do as a cross came in from the right flank, but he powered a header into the top corner of Carlo Cudicini's net.
He made it two midway through the second half. Crouch's first effort from a Mark Gonzalez cross was blocked, but he reacted quickest to lift the ball into the far corner.
Kenny Dalglish took charge of the Liverpool team, with former captains Sami Hyypia and Steven Gerrard joined by younger ex-players including Ragnar Klavan and Martin Kelly. It was Roberto Di Matteo in charge for Chelsea, and the Italian called upon his compatriot Gianfranco Zola during the second half.
Liverpool sold out their allocation for the game, which helped raise funds for the LFC Foundation. And those in the home end were delighted to see Crouch not just score but celebrate in style.
READ MORE: Ex-Liverpool star hospitalised with punctured lung makes return to AnfieldREAD MORE: Roy Keane U-turn saw Man Utd icon show true colours in Liverpool Legends gameEarlier, Natasha Dowie made history by becoming the first female player to represent Liverpool in a Legends football match when she featured at Anfield on Saturday. The former England international had a better time of things than a couple of other ex-pros, though, with injury striking on more than one occasion.
Dowie was greeted by warm applause as she entered the field towards the end of the first half, replacing Mohamed Sissoko. The 36-year-old was one of the younger players on the field in Merseyside, and made her presence felt with challenges on Claude Makelee and Ramires in Chelsea blue.
Another former Red, goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, had a day to forget. His afternoon came to an end inside 20 minutes as he picked up an injury trying to launch a counter-attack, with Sander Westerveld taking his place.
Westerveld, who was once a team-mate of current Reds boss Arne Slot at Sparta Rotterdam, pulled out the save of the game at 1-0. Robert Huth powered a header towards goal from point-blank range, only for Westerveld to pull out a fine reflex stop to push the ball to safety.
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