Match reportRyan Babel scores late winner as LFC Legends beat Chelsea Legends at Stamford Bridge

The former Netherlands international produced an excellent finish to round off a counter-attack and ensure the Reds prevailed again following their 2-0 victory over the Blues at Anfield in March.

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The game got under way after a moving minute’s applause in memory of Matt Beard, Diogo Jota and Andre Silva.

Liverpool – managed by Ian Rush, John Aldridge, Phil Thompson and Sammy Lee – started well and Yossi Benayoun fashioned an early chance for himself with some familiar nimble footwork, but the midfielder was unable to beat Petr Cech with his shot from close range.

Martin Kelly blocked William Gallas’ attempt at the other end after a trademark dribble by Eden Hazard and the next chance was the visitors’, but Florent Malouda did enough to distract Igor Biscan as he looked to volley Florent Sinama-Pongolle’s cross home.

Pepe Reina made a sharp save to deny Diego Costa, who was soon booked having become embroiled in a feud with Martin Skrtel after the Liverpool defender delivered a hard, but fair, tackle on the Chelsea striker.

Kelly fizzed a shot narrowly wide after being teed up by Babel in the early moments of the second half but, around the hour mark, Chelsea went so close to opening the scoring when Malouda crashed a drive off the outside of the post from 20 yards.

A superb save by Sander Westerveld, on in place of Reina, stopped Hazard from breaking the deadlock as Chelsea ramped up the pressure, before John Terry looped a half-volley onto the roof of the net.

But the Reds looked increasingly threatening on the counter-attack and it was a breakaway that led to Babel’s winner.

Jermaine Pennant strode forward and passed to the Dutchman, who cut inside from the left and dispatched a fine low finish before paying his own tribute to Jota by replicating his Baby Shark goal celebration in front of the away supporters.

LFC Legends team: Reina (Westerveld, 65 (Kirkland, 88)), Skrtel, Klavan, Vignal (Gonzalez, 90), Kelly, Aurelio, Spearing, Biscan (Henchoz, 60 (McAteer, 75)), Benayoun (Gonzalez, 46 (Benayoun, 80)), Babel (Dowie, 60 (Babel, 80)), Sinama-Pongolle (Pennant, 46).

• Match-worn, signed shirts from the game are being auctioned to raise more funds for LFC Foundation. Find out more and bid at the club’s official auction store.