Pepe Reina made his first appearance for the Liverpool Legends as they beat a Chelsea side featuring Eden Hazard at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
Chelsea Legends 0-1 Liverpool Legends
Charity Match | Stamford Bridge
October 11, 2025
Goals: Babel 77′
Having announced his retirement from professional football in May at the age of 42, Reina was joined by former team-mates Martin Skrtel, Martin Kelly, Jay Spearing, Fabio Aurelio, Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel in West London.
Chelsea, meanwhile, boasted a star-studded XI featuring the likes of Hazard, Diego Costa, John Terry and Claude Makelele.
Yep, that’s right. A 34-year-old Hazard lining up against Igor Biscan in the same week 33-year-old Mohamed Salah helped Egypt secure their place at next summer’s World Cup.
After a first half of few chances, Liverpool struck the decisive blow 12 minutes from time when Babel cut inside on his favoured right foot and arrowed the ball into the far corner.
In a touching tribute to the late Diogo Jota, the Dutchman paid his respects to the forward by performing his now iconic ‘Baby Shark’ celebration.
Babel, who retired two years ago, last scored for Liverpool’s senior side in a 3-0 win over Aston Villa in December 2010.
Despite the lack of goals the match wasn’t short of action, particularly between Skrtel and Costa.
The duo, who famously clashed during a League Cup semi-final tie at the same venue in January 2015, wasted no time renewing their rivalry with an off-the-ball incident – which resulted in the Spaniard being shown a yellow card. Nothing new there, then.
When the final whistle blew, it was Liverpool who were celebrating a hard-fought victory in the capital thanks to a late winner.
It came on an afternoon that saw tributes paid not only to Jota and brother Andre Silva but also former Liverpool Women‘s manager Matt Beard, who sadly passed away on September 20.
Of course, victory over Chelsea‘s old guard won’t soften the blow of Liverpool’s defeat at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
But for a group of players who contested Champions League semi-finals, FA Cup semi-finals and League Cup finals against the Londoners, this triumph will feel extra special.
Liverpool Legends: Reina (Westerveld 65’, Kirkland 88’), Kelly, Skrtel, Klavan, Vignal (Gonzalez 90’), Aurelio, Spearing, Biscan (Henchoz 60’, McAteer 75’), Benayoun (Gonzalez 46’, Benayoun 80’), Babel (Dowie 60’, Babel 80’), Sinama-Pongolle (Pennant 46’)
Chelsea Legends: Cech, Cahill, Gallas, Terry, Ramires, Mikel, Makelele, Malouda, Kalou, Hazard, Costa
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