Two players guaranteed an emotional welcome when they return to Anfield for the All-Star charity match this Sunday are Spanish duo Xabi Alonso and Pepe Reina.

The pair struck up a memorable and lasting accord with Kopites during their respective stays with the Reds, ensuring their names will always spark fond recollections for fans.

Both have previously spoken about their eternal respect for the club, the generosity afforded to them by the city and the nights under the floodlights when Liverpool beat Europe's best.

Now, Sunday's charity match - organised by the Liverpool FC Foundation to raise funds for crucial causes on Merseyside - presents the duo with another chance to run out at Anfield.

The occasion is a sell-out, but fans can watch exclusive build-up, the entire game and post-match reaction on LFCTV HD in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and on LFCTV GO worldwide.

It's an occasion Alonso and Reina are naturally relishing and this week they sat down for an interview to discuss their anticipation for playing at their former home again.

On Sunday, you will both return to Anfield. How excited are you?

Alonso: For five years I haven't had the chance to go back there. I spent five great years there and have great memories of those years. We had wonderful nights at Anfield. Of course it's going to be a special game for us and Stevie, and it's for a great cause. It has all of the ingredients to be special for everyone.

Reina: I'm very much looking forward to it. It's a great opportunity to say 'goodbye' but also 'hello' back. It's going to be a great atmosphere and a great match between friendly faces. It's going to be a great day.

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What does the city of Liverpool mean to you?

Alonso: Of course, Liverpool is a special city for me. It's where I started to become a man. Until I got there, I was living with my parents, so it's where I had to start doing things on my own and settle down. From the first day, everyone was so kind to me and really friendly. My first son was born there, so it's always going to be special. We will always have that special link with the city and the club, because the club is so important in the city - it's like a religion. You feel it when you get there.

Reina: It's a great city for me, but it was also my home for eight years. One of my kids was born there; three of them have been raised in Liverpool. And I was treated like one of them. For me, it's always going to be home.

You are going to play in different teams, aren't you?

Alonso: I'm glad I'm in Stevie's team because I'm pretty sure Carra will be a terrible manager! So I'd rather be in Stevie's team and it's going to be a great game and we are going to have great fun. It's going to be good to see friends who we have been apart from for a few years, so it's going to be really nice going back to the stadium.

Reina: Apparently we are playing in different teams. I will try to be on my line just in case [Xabi shoots from long distance]! But it's about the cause, about having fun and, no matter which teams we are in, enjoying the day and having fun.

How much are you looking forward to playing in front of the fans again?

Alonso: Of course I'm really looking forward to it because this summer when I was in Madrid and after the Champions League draw, when Liverpool and Real Madrid came out together, I was here in Munich doing my medical. It was like I had the chance to go back to Anfield! But, of course Anfield is a special stadium. The fans make it special and because of that Pepe, myself and all of the former players want to go back there and feel those special feelings again because it's something different.

Reina: It's always a pleasure. Just to hear 'You'll Never Walk Alone' is one emotion, to defend in front of the Kop is another emotion, and to play in front of Anfield in front of them - because of how respectful they have been for me and my family during my time there - is a wonderful and enormous honour for me.