Legends defeated in Stockholm contest
Liverpool Legends failed to get one over on the old enemy as they suffered a 4-2 defeat to Manchester United in their second official outing in Stockholm.
The Reds promised much more when they took the lead through Vladimir Smicer's header early in the first half at the Friends Arena, but a fine finish from Karel Poborsky brought United level before they went ahead through Dwight Yorke.
Further goals from Bojan Djordjic and Jesper Blomqvist saw the Red Devils pull away in the second half, though David Thompson pulled one back after Robbie Fowler had twice hit the post for Ian Rush's side.
Legends skipper Fowler retained his place in a strong Reds starting XI that contained four Champions League winners, while their opponents called on a still-speedy wing duo in Blomqvist and Keith Gillespie, as well as the ever reliable Denis Irwin.
The early stages of the match were graced with plenty of shots from distance as the out-of-practice legends looked to find their range again, with Patrik Berger, Didi Hamann and Gillespie all trying their luck.
Berger went closest of all with his second attempt, a trademark powerful shot off his left foot that dipped agonisingly onto the roof of the net.
Yorke then wasted a sublime chance to put United ahead when he attempted a dinked finish over Jerzy Dudek after being played in one-one-one.
That shot selection looked to have cost the Red Devils dear when Raimond van der Gouw produced a weak punch from a left-sided cross at the half way point of the first period.
The goalkeeper's poor clearance landed straight to the arriving Smicer, who gratefully chalked up his first goal in a Liverpool shirt since the 2005 Champions League final, heading back across goal and in.
Unfortunately, the lead did not last long, as Poborsky replied with a delightful finish over the onrushing Dudek after latching onto a Gillespie pass.
And Yorke atoned for his earlier mistake to make it 2-1, side-footing home after Irwin cleverly let a cross go over his head.
Dudek was spared from conceding again as Sander Westerveld replaced him at the break, and the Dutchman kicked things off by pulling off a brilliant top-corner save from a free-kick.
His delight soon turned to anguish, however, as a throw-out from the back failed to find Salif Diao, and Djordjic passed the ball home from distance.
Blomqvist, who had been a thorn in the side of the Liverpool defence all evening, then made it four when he rounded Westerveld before finishing coolly.
Thompson ensured the margin of defeat would not be too harsh on the Reds when he smashed home after a clever first-time cross from Luis Garcia.
But arguably the biggest cheer of the night had come before that, when Liverpool's record goalscorer Ian Rush was introduced as a second-half substitute.