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
@LFC This squad is something you dream about… just amazing
— Owen. (@OwenSeanMurphy) March 25, 2017
@LFC where coming to watch so excited ?
— Emma Louise ❤️? (@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…
@LFC much better pic.twitter.com/Se1v4x1T04
— Kaj Mccue (@KaJPs4) March 25, 2017
@LFC I don't like Michael Owen being in the squad
— Big Ez (@Big_Ez) March 25, 2017
@LFC why is Micheal Owen in the squad ?
— Chibueze (@iam_godson87) March 25, 2017
@LFC Why is Michael Owen playing we are Liverpool not United so go back there you judas shit
— emma69 (@emma6912) March 25, 2017
@LFC the LFC legends and Michael Owen
— . (@IsakHardy) March 25, 2017
@LFC Michael Owen will Ruin the day! Fans will boo his every touch.
— Andrew (@drewlfc5times) March 25, 2017
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…
@LFC when did Salif diao become a legend?
— ㅤSamue?? (@MatipFirstTouch) March 25, 2017
@LFC from when SALIF DIAO became a legend !?
— Abdulrahman ?6/1 (@abdualaqeel99) March 25, 2017
@LFC salif diao @RealVikramSena
— Rayvind Kurup (@rayvind_) March 25, 2017
@LFC gotta love Salif Diao. Makes more appearances In a Liverpool shirt after he retires
— Pete Stewart (@PeteStewart1) March 25, 2017
Kvarme and Diao playing for LFC legends. ??? I am taking the piss but they achieved what I always wanted to. Fair play to them. #legends
— San Miguel (@redlfc180) March 25, 2017
@empireofthekop Kvarme and diao, Legends????
— Paul (@pamabeal) March 24, 2017
@empireofthekop Kvarme and diao, Legends????
— Paul (@pamabeal) March 24, 2017
@TOTK96 @DjLeeButler how the fuck did kvarme get on the legends list??
— The Black Bomber (@djmrx) March 24, 2017
@LFC 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 ?
— JackoTheRed (@JKloppsKop) March 25, 2017
Diao & Kvarme ?? #LFC https://t.co/mvUV2CZvyy
— Colin Wright (@colinwright89) March 24, 2017