Steven Gerrard Opens Up About Grandfather Role at Anfield Charity Event
Steven Gerrard provided a heartfelt family update while participating in the Liverpool Legends' Charity Match against Borussia Dortmund at Anfield on Saturday afternoon. The former midfield maestro, now 45, disclosed that his granddaughter has filled his family with joy, embracing his new role as a doting grandfather with enthusiasm.
Gerrard's Personal Revelation Ahead of Kick-Off
Speaking before the match, Gerrard expressed his delight, stating, "At least I've got an excuse now [for being old]. Delighted. She's a little dream. She's made us all very happy and hopefully we can get a win for her today." His eldest daughter, Lilly, welcomed a baby girl named Lilla Grey in July, and Gerrard has been sharing regular updates since, wholeheartedly adopting his grandfatherly duties.
Charity Match Line-Up and Proceeds
The charity fixture, which kicked off at 3pm, featured Liverpool Legends managed by Kenny Dalglish and Jurgen Klopp, alongside Ian Rush and John Aldridge. Gerrard, typically a midfielder during his Premier League peak, was positioned in attack for this special occasion. The starting XI included:
- Jerzy Dudek
- Stephen Wright
- Martin Skrtel
- Sami Hyypia
- Ragnar Klavan
- Fabio Aurelio
- Jay Spearing
- Igor Biscan
- Thiago Alcantara
- Ryan Babel
Additional squad members comprised Pepe Reina, Sander Westerveld, Gregory Vignal, Martin Kelly, Mark Gonzalez, Albert Riera, Jermaine Pennant, Florent Sinama-Pongolle, Yossi Benayoun, Peter Crouch, Louise Schillgard, and Natasha Dowie. Borussia Dortmund's line-up featured players such as Roman Weidenfeller, Jan Koller, and Mohamed Zidan, managed by Norbert Dickel. All proceeds from the match were directed to the LFC Foundation and Forever Reds charities.
Klopp's Emotional Return to Anfield
During the live broadcast, Jurgen Klopp, who guided Liverpool to a Premier League title, four domestic cups, and a Champions League victory between 2015 and 2024, shared his sentiments about returning to Merseyside. The 58-year-old said, "When I left here I didn't know how often I would come back. First year I didn't want to jynx it, now I didn't want to create wrong expectations or whatever. There's always a reason not to, but this was great." He emphasized the importance of supporting the foundation and enjoying the atmosphere without pressure, noting over 60,000 attendees for the event.
This charity match not only showcased football legends but also highlighted personal milestones and community support, blending sport with heartfelt family moments.
