Ronnie Moran Testimonial
Liverpool versus Celtic
Anfield, Tuesday May 16th 2000.
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Ronnie Moran Testimonial Liverpool versus Celtic Anfield, Tuesday May 16th 2000. |
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LIVERPOOL... 4 (Meijer 42, 68, Thomson 45, Camara 56) CELTIC... 1 (Dailly 71) LIVERPOOL (4-4-2): Friedel, Heggem (Carragher 86), Staunton (Matteo 78), Song (Traore 60), Henchoz (Hyypia 46), Murphy, Smicer (Owen 78), Thomson (Gerrard 46), Fowler, Meijer, Camara (Miles 83) CELTIC (5-3-1-1): Kerr (Gould 46), Stubbs, Tebily (Crainey 46), Mjallby (Burchill 46), Dailly (Kennedy 81), Riseth, McAteer, Fotheringham (Smith 57), Lambert, Moravcik (Lynch 74), Johnson (Shields 81) |
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W
ith the help of a huge splash of green and to a cacophany of noise courtesy of 12,000 travelling Glaswegians,
Ronnie Moran was given an emotional send off to his retirement at Anfield as Liverpool ran out comfortable
winners against their Glaswegian opponents.
Adding to the emotion of the occasion was the return to Anfield of Kenny Dalglish, albeit at the helm of the green and white hoops, but his side, playing with two 'ringers' in ex-Red Jason McAteer and Christian Dailly were comprehensively outplayed to the delight of the home support. Five European Cups, representing Celtic's 1967 triumph in the competition and Liverpool's four victories, were paraded before kick off as were a string of Anfield greats including Phil Neal, Ian Rush, Steve McMahon, and Bruce Grobbelaar. Then Moran took his bow followed by a bear hug from Gerry Marsden after a rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone", the anthem of both sets of fans. The crowd of 33,300 was enlivened considerably by the thousands of Celtic supporters who were giving a torrent of abuse to Robbie Fowler over his alleged affection for the other half of Glasgow's footballing fraternity. Much to the delight of the travelling support the stand in skipper missed Liverpool's best openings early on, blazing one opportunity over the bar in the 18th minute after good work from the eye catching Titi Camara. Celtic too, after a sluggish start, missed a couple of half chances, most notably a curling effort from the skilful Moravcik and a low crisp effort from the impressive McAteer, but it was Liverpool, playing neat fluent football who deservedly took the lead 3 minutes before half time. Fowler, atoning for his earlier misses, fired in an inch perfect cross which Erik Meijer converted with a glancing header past the stricken Kerr in the Celtic goal. |
It was Liverpool's first goal in five matches, and a rare goal for Dutchman Meijer who was clearly delighted to have broken the deadlock. Then in first half injury time, with the amazing Celtic support still in full voice, David Thomson rocked Anfield with a 30 yard screamer into the top corner of the net to give the Reds a half time cushion of 2 goals. Liverpool now had the bit between their teeth and the second half started in much the same fashion as the first had ended, a flurry of substitutions making no impact on the flow of the game. Man of the match Titi Camara duly put Liverpool 3-0 up in the 56th minute, after cutting in from the left flank and lashing home from 20 yards. A second for Meijer, who fired home after a smart move on 68 minutes put the game well and truly beyond Celtic's reach though much of the entertainment was now being provided off the pitch, as the singing swaying Glaswegian see of green entertained their hosts with a heartfelt rendition of 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. A deserved consolation goal for Dailly provided some cheer for the visitors, but it was Ronnie Moran's night and the whole ground rose up as one to herald him at the end of the game. * Note: Eye witnesses reported seeing the new Anfield Road stand 'moving' during the game under the weight of the travelling support. Reinforcement work was immediately carried to secure the stand in time for the start of the following season. |
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