HONG KONG, CHINA - Saturday, June 8, 2019: Liverpool Legends' Jose Enrique during an exhibition match between Liverpool FC Legends and Borussia Dortmund Legends at the Hong Kong Stadium. (Pic by Jayne Russell/Propaganda)

Jose Enrique marks cancer recovery on return to the pitch with Liverpool Legends

Liverpool’s legends side sealed a 3-2 win over their Dortmund counterparts in Hong Kong on Saturday, with Jose Enrique marking his recovery from cancer.

Enrique underwent surgery to remove a brain tumour last May after being told by doctors he could lose his sight, months after retiring following a spell with Real Zaragoza.

The Spaniard said it was “onwards and upwards” upon receiving the all-clear in April, and this was evident as he took to the field as part of a Liverpool Legends side this weekend.

Dirk Kuyt, Robbie Fowler and Daniel Agger were among those to start against Dortmund, with Enrique taking up a place on the bench alongside Vladimir Smicer, Stephane Henchoz, Phil Babb and Igor Biscan.

Liverpool took the lead through a Salif Diao volley, before Mladen Petric—who played once under Jurgen Klopp—equalised on the break.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4AnFWOeOgo

Diao put the Reds back in front straight from kickoff, however, with the Senegalese embarrassing Roman Weidenfeller with a goal from the halfway line which the TV cameras didn’t pick up.

Ewerthon levelled the scores again on the half-hour, only for Fowler to net the winner from the spot after a tricky Luis Garcia was brought down.

HONG KONG, CHINA - Saturday, June 8, 2019: Liverpool Legends pose with a European Cup with the number six on after an exhibition match between Liverpool FC Legends and Borussia Dortmund Legends at the Hong Kong Stadium. (Pic by Jayne Russell/Propaganda)

A replica European Cup was on show with a strong crowd in attendance at the Hong Kong Stadium, but the key positive from the afternoon was Enrique’s return to the field.

He came on in the 23rd minute to cheers from the supporters, on what will no doubt have been a momentous occasion for the 33-year-old.

Enrique made 99 appearances for Liverpool after joining from Newcastle in 2011, making his last appearance in a 0-0 draw with West Ham in the FA Cup fourth round in 2016.