ReactionLuis Garcia: Everybody says yes to playing at Anfield

The popular Spaniard played 45 minutes for each team as Liverpool FC Legends were beaten 2-1 by Barça Legends in the LFC Foundation charity match.

During an opening half in which Garcia represented the Reds, a Steven Gerrard penalty was equalised by a neat Giovanni finish at the Kop end.

The attacker switched to Barcelona colours for the second period and Rivaldo produced the winning goal for the visitors with a clinical spot-kick eight minutes after the restart.

“From the beginning I knew I was going to have a chance of winning today!” Garcia told Liverpoolfc.com with a smile post-match.

“I have to be honest, I heard a few complaints I played two halves! A few rumours about that! First half, I struggled a little bit with the chances I had, I didn’t score. But trust me, I wanted to finish them, no luck today.

“When you come here, you are desperate to perform well, to give everything. You try – your head goes but your body doesn’t follow the orders.”

The special event, presented by AXA, raised important funds for the Reds’ charity LFC Foundation and its partners, with a portion of the proceeds also set to support Forever Reds – the club’s official former players association – plus The Owen McVeigh Foundation, Side by Side and the Barça Foundation.

A stellar cast of players participated over the course of the 90 minutes, with the likes of Daniel Agger, Jamie Carragher, Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez also turning out for the home team, and Edmilson, Edgar Davids, Javier Saviola and more for the away side.

“I had the chance to play in many different countries and continents and I haven’t seen this anywhere,” said Garcia.

“I think that’s why it’s special – that’s why all the former players want to come here to play, not only from the Liverpool side, also from the Barcelona side. You have to do a list of 22 but there is a long list who would have loved to be here.

“This is a special ground, everybody knows that. When there was a chance for Barça to come here and play, everybody says yes straight away. And all the families were looking forward to this game, you can see the children before the game, all the players came out to look around and enjoy the atmosphere.

“It has been fantastic, we had a great time today.”