An emotional Sven-Goran Eriksson described the expertise as “completely lovely” after his long-held dream of managing Liverpool was fulfilled at Saturday’s charity match at a packed Anfield.
The 76-year-old former England boss, who in January revealed he had been recognized with terminal most cancers, grew up a Liverpool supporter and being in command of the workforce was one thing he had at all times needed to do.
That turned actuality as Eriksson, alongside former Reds stars Ian Rush, John Barnes and John Aldridge, oversaw a aspect that beat Ajax 4-2 in an LFC Basis ‘Legends’ sport.
The Swede admitted he had shed tears each simply earlier than the match, when he acquired a standing ovation from the gang as he walked out on to the pitch, earlier than taking in You’ll By no means Stroll Alone with the gamers and training groups, and after it once they walked across the pitch to extra applause.
Talking in his post-match press convention, Eriksson stated: “That shall be an enormous reminiscence in life. Completely lovely.
“To sit down on the bench for Liverpool, that’s been my dream my entire life. Now it occurred, and it was a lovely day in all meanings.
“The group, the sport, the gamers, all the things, improbable, and thanks to Liverpool for giving me this chance, to ask me for such an vital sport – it’s not factors however the significance of the sport is unbelievable.
“It was filled with feelings, tears coming. It’s been my dream membership all my life – even once I had England, I additionally supported Liverpool, however I couldn’t say it at the moment.
“It’s a very good end, to complete with Liverpool, it may possibly’t be a lot better than that.”
A part of the build-up to the sport for Eriksson – who stated he was “fairly positive” his Liverpool-supporting father had watched the match stay on Swedish tv – was assembly Jurgen Klopp.
And Eriksson stated of the Liverpool boss: “It was the primary time I met him. It was a shock, he got here to the dressing room earlier than coaching yesterday and he stated one thing to the workforce.
“An excellent man, nice supervisor, doing extraordinarily effectively with Liverpool and may win in Europe, win the Premier League this season. It was an honour to fulfill him for positive.”
The Liverpool ‘Legends’ have been captained by Steven Gerrard, the previous membership skipper and England participant throughout Eriksson’s tenure.
Gerrard – whose second half on Saturday included being approached by a younger fan who ran on the pitch earlier than being led away by safety – informed LFCTV: “Sven being right here in the present day was very particular.
“As quickly as I knew he was going to be gaffer in the present day, I couldn’t wait to return and play for him another time.”
After being 2-0 down on the interval by way of targets from Derk Boerrigter and Kiki Musampa, Liverpool turned issues round within the second half with Gregory Vignal, Djibril Cisse, Nabil El Zhar and Fernando Torres getting on the scoresheet.
The attendance of round 60,000 was a file for what was the eighth annual Liverpool ‘Legends’ match, the earlier editions of which have raised £6.4million.
LFC Basis will use cash raised to help its schooling programmes and Endlessly Reds, the membership’s official former gamers affiliation.
