Mikel oozes class in midfield, Babayaro starts as Chelsea Legends beaten by Liverpool

A Chelsea Legends team managed by Roberto Di Matteo were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool in the annual LFC Foundation charity match held at Anfield on Saturday afternoon. 

Former Nigeria internationals John Obi Mikel and Celestine Babayaro were named in Chelsea's starting lineup, with the midfielder going the distance and the fullback in action for 34 minutes before making way for Loic Remy.

Mikel was identified as one of Chelsea's standout performers, together with his midfield partner Claude Makelele and wide men Florent Malouda and Ramires.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner showed he's still in top shape, completing the full match alongside Robert Huth and Florent Malouda.

In the 55th minute, Peter Crouch broke the deadlock with a looping header, then doubled his tally soon after to cap off a memorable Anfield comeback.

After Crouch's brace, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Gianfranco Zola combined in the build-up before a clever flick from Mikel set up Jon Harley, whose spectacular lob from a tight angle drifted just wide.

Mikel spent ten and a half years at The Blues, during which he won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, and both the Champions League and Europa League before leaving in 2017.

Babayaro featured in Chelsea's thrilling side under Gianluca Vialli, lifting the FA Cup in 2000, and in his final season, contributed to the club's first-ever Premier League title triumph.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit: chelseafc.com

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