Jose Enrique: I feel so grateful to play again
Jose Enrique reflected on the emotions of representing Liverpool again after being part of the legends team that defeated Rangers on Saturday.
The former Reds full-back has recovered from a rare form of brain tumour which required the Spaniard to undergo life-saving surgery last summer.
Enrique featured for the full 90 minutes at Ibrox as Liverpool FC Legends claimed a 3-2 win through goals from Luis Garcia, Patrik Berger and Emile Heskey.
Post-match, he explained the gratitude he feels just to be able to participate after the challenges he has had to overcome.
“A year ago I had a tumour in my head, I thought I was dying, and now I’m playing here in front of 30,000 people. I can be grateful and happy to be part of this,” Enrique told Liverpoolfc.com.
“It’s amazing. It has been a very difficult time, probably the most difficult time of my life.
“To [wear] this shirt again, it’s my club – I feel like this is my club – and to play 90 minutes again with this team is amazing.”
Steven Gerrard was at the centre of the Liverpool midfield against the club he now manages at first-team level, while the likes of Jamie Carragher, Dirk Kuyt and Glen Johnson also pulled on their boots again.
A donation from the fixture will now be made to LFC Foundation, the Reds’ official charity, which delivers a range of programmes and partnerships to create life-changing opportunities for children and young people across the city and beyond.
And Enrique was proud to be involved in the occasion.
“There were a lot of goals, all in the first half. It was really good, I really enjoyed [playing] 90 minutes,” he said.
“I don’t even remember the last time I played 90 minutes. I was really happy to see the guys and obviously to play again.
“When you are retired, to come here and play in front of the fans, you have memories and you enjoy it so much. I won’t forget this.”