Riise: I'm very grateful and honoured

The Norwegian spent seven years with the Reds between 2001-08, winning honours such as the 2005 Champions League and forging a strong bond with supporters thanks to his robust performances at left-back.

Riise even treated Kopites to a glimpse of his famed trademark free-kick prowess during his 45-minute run out in the All-Star game, forcing former teammate Pepe Reina into a fine save.

In return, he was serenaded with several renditions of his famous song.

Afterwards, Riise told Liverpoolfc.com: "It's been seven or eight years since I played here and the fans still sing the song. They have to know that it means a lot to me and for all of the players who get their songs sung. I'm very grateful and honoured.

''I've been looking forward to this for a few weeks now and meeting all the players before at the hotel was unbelievable. Some great, great players in former teammates and former opponents, so it was great to come back."

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Riise, who now plays for Cypriot side APOEL FC, was full of praise for all involved in the match - particularly Jamie Carragher.

The former Liverpool defender captained his team to an entertaining 2-2 draw with a Steven Gerrard XI in front of a sold-out Anfield crowd and demonstrated he's lost none of the determination that made him one of football's best centre-backs during his 737 appearances for the Reds.

Riise added: "I enjoyed Carra's performance because he was still pulling and kicking even after he's retired!

"We were thinking it was going to be an easy afternoon but then they [the Carragher XI] really wanted to play so it was a hard first half. In the second half I think we were the better team and a draw was a fair result.

''It's amazing to see the turnout and the players who came to support this event. It means that the players really care about this and hopefully we did a good job."