The word ‘legend’ is banded about far too liberally these days.
Nowhere is it more ridiculously overused than in modern football. Everyone is an ‘absolute legend’, and every goal or piece of skill is the ‘best ever’. But it seems that Liverpool Football Club have widened the definition to extreme levels with the announcement of their ‘Legends’ squad to face Real Madrid in a charity match at Anfield on Saturday.
Don’t get us wrong, there are more than enough bona fide all-time greats in the 23-man squad. The hallowed likes of Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler, John Aldridge, Sterven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher would grace any legends game. Certainly it’s enough to have excited supporters salivating, and to sell out the famous stadium for the day.
Squad. 🔴 #LFCRealLegends pic.twitter.com/mnEp1OzGkK
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 25, 2017
This squad is something you dream about… just amazing
— sahil. (@sahilshahzad29) March 25, 2017
where coming to watch so excited 😊
— Y 💜 Emma -V- Louise 💜 Y #MissingYouEP (@ema101) March 25, 2017
But the inclusion of certain BT Sport pundit has sullied the whole affair for some ardent fans with longer memories than the last two or three years. They still haven’t forgiven Michael Owen for joining bitter rivals Manchester United back in 2009, and so are not best pleased that he will feature in the game…
https://twitter.com/KaJPs4/status/845569876836126720
I don't like Michael Owen being in the squad
— Big Ez (@Big_Ez) March 25, 2017
why is Micheal Owen in the squad ?
— Chi Godson (@iam_godson87) March 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/emma6912/status/845578629845307392
https://twitter.com/IsakHardy/status/845554263493349376
https://twitter.com/drewlfc5times/status/845555106825297920
But anger is replaced with bemusement (and amusement) at the inclusion of a couple of other, less notorious chancers. The fact that Salif Diao (37 appearances between 2002 and 2007) and Bjørn Tore Kvarme (45 appearances between 1997 and 1999) come under the banner of ‘legends’ is both hilarious and preposterous to the Anfield faithful…
when did Salif diao become a legend?
— Samuel (@SamueILFC) March 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/abdualaqeel99/status/845558330147901441
salif diao @RealVikramSena
— BrownNickMiller (@rayvind_) March 25, 2017
gotta love Salif Diao. Makes more appearances In a Liverpool shirt after he retires
— Peter-Benjamin (@PeteStewart1) March 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/redlfc180/status/845496080838090752
Kvarme and diao, Legends????
— Paul (@pamabeal) March 24, 2017
Kvarme and diao, Legends????
— Paul (@pamabeal) March 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/djmrx/status/845359311526203393
Kvarme? Jesus wept they must of been shy on numbers. He's the equivalent of the fat lad who was always last pick in school 😂
— Jacko The Red (@JKloppsKop) March 25, 2017
Diao & Kvarme 😂😂 #LFC https://t.co/mvUV2CZvyy
— Colin Wright (@colinwright89) March 24, 2017