LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Easter Monday, April 21, 2014: Liverpool players line up for a team group photograph before the Celebration of the 96 match at Anfield. Back row L-R: Mark Wright, Michael Thomas, Steve McManaman, David James, Rob Jones, John Barnes. Front row L-R: Michael Owen, David Burrows, Gary McAllister, Robbie Fowler, Jason McAteer. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool legends entertain at Celebration of the 96 match

A who’s who of former Liverpool players returned to Anfield on Easter Monday for a Celebration Of The 96 charity match to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Easter Monday, April 21, 2014: Liverpool players line up for a team group photograph before the Celebration of the 96 match at Anfield. Back row L-R:  Mark Wright, Michael Thomas, Steve McManaman, David James, Rob Jones, John Barnes. Front row L-R: Michael Owen, David Burrows, Gary McAllister, Robbie Fowler, Jason McAteer. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

A capacity crowd turned out to see a “local” legends side take on an “international” legends XI, managed by former bosses Kenny Dalglish and Gerard Houllier.

The matched ended in a 2-2 draw, with Robbie Fowler scoring both goals for the “home” side. Fowler scored an injury time penalty to cancel out goals from Vladimir Smicer and Bruno Cheyrou.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Easter Monday, April 21, 2014: Liverpool's Robbie Fowler scores the second goal against Liverpool from the penalty spot during the Celebration of the 96 match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Comedian John Bishop missed a penalty with minutes remaining, David James denying the Reds’ supporter a goal at The Kop end – Bishop having also hit the post.

There were Anfield returns for Istanbul Sami Hyypia, Luis Garcia, Didi Hamann, and Smicer.

Michael Owen also made a return to Anfield, lining up alongside Fowler and Steve McManaman and adding a very mid-1990’s feel to the match.

It was a family occasion, raising funds for the Hillsborough Family Support Group and LFC Foundation.

Pre-match entertainment included the current Liverpool side on the pitch playing against local kids, with the current squad watching on from the stands for the match itself.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Easter Monday, April 21, 2014: Liverpool's manager Brendan Rodgers, captain Steven Gerrard and the rest of the squad stand for a minute's applause to remember the 96 before the Celebration of the 96 match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

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