Whilst there were to be no heroic moments from Stevie G this time around compared to that famous December night in 2004 against the same opposition it was a fitting tribute from our club for arguably our greatest ever player.
The game also marked the quick return of Jamie Carragher to the first team after retirement last season and the very welcome return of LFC legend and fans favourite Robbie Fowler who came on to a rapturous applause for a cameo 10 minutes just before the end of the testimonial.
The game itself was another pre season warm up for our new season preparations with Rodgers putting out a strong team which showed his professionalism with us creating and spurning several chances namely for Aspas and Joe Allen respectively.
Joe Allen in particular today was given the free role in a midfield three (Lucas, himself and Gerrard) so was expected to get forward more. He missed a great chance after approximately 5 minutes after an excellent flick through by Coutinho.
Within a minute Allen had made up for the glaring miss by scoring our first goal after some good work from striker Aspas, left Allen with a tap-in for a 1-0 lead.
Further opportunities missed in a one-sided first half with Gerrard again producing trademark long range diagonal passes throughout the game and our little magician Coutinho having a quiet first half for a change.
The second half starts with us again dominating possession but not looking like adding to our second until an excellent through ball gives winger Sterling an opportunity to lob the Olympiakos keeper but it goes agonisingly wide.
Halfway through the second half Rodgers then makes the first couple of substitutions, the first one significantly was a smiling Suarez coming on to a great welcome from the Anfield faithful for Aspas.
The other subs were the returning Jamie Carragher and Jordan Henderson also come on - for Joe Allen and Kolo Toure respectively.
There was an instant response by Henderson who when played through by Sterling slotted the ball home with great aplomb to make it 2-0 and celebrated like he had just scored the winner in the Champions League final.
The crowd again rose to their feet for the return of LFC legend Fowler who nearly produced a trademark left footed goal from a Gerrard pass but the ball was deflected wide which produced a wonderful smile from Gerrard.
The biggest cheer of the day was reserved for the moment when Gerrard was finally substituted and after the service he has given to our club he deserved every second of the standing ovation from his loving Anfield faithful.
The last couple of minutes petered out with reserve keeper Brad Jones also getting a few minutes on the pitch.
Another clean sheet performance for Mignolet as replacement for Reina, hope that continues for as long as possible.
Impressive win but all the plaudits for the day goes to our legend Stevie G.
Thank you Stevie G for providing so many happy memories over the years.
YNWA.
Mignolet, Johnson, Enrique, Toure, Agger, Lucas, Allen, Gerrard, Coutinho, Sterling, Aspas.
Subs: Jones, Kelly, Alberto, Skrtel, Downing, Henderson, Ibe, Wisdom, Coates, Borini, Suarez, Spearing, Carragher, Fowler
Man of the match - Who else but our captain fantastic Stevie G!
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