Liverpool legends took on a group Ajax icons in front of a packed Anfield crowd and staged a stunning comeback as former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson finally got to manage the Reds

Fernando Torres scored on his Liverpool return as Sven-Goran Eriksson managed the Reds to a stunning 4-2 comeback victory against Ajax.

The Spanish striker was back at Anfield as a team of Liverpool legends took on a group of iconic stars for the Dutch side in aid of the Liverpool Foundation.

Ex-England boss Eriksson was finally given the chance to lead the club after expressing his wish following his cancer diagnosis.

Torres was not the only legendary figure to take to the pitch at Anfield. Steven Gerrard captained the Reds, while Daniel Agger, Maxi Rodriguez and Sami Hyypia were also involved.

Eriksson, who was given a heartwarming reception from the sold-out Anfield crowd, was sat on the bench next to iconic former forward Ian Rush. Despite the glittering names on the team sheet for the Reds, it was not the start that Liverpool wanted.

Ajax took the lead within the opening few minutes as Derk Boerrigter got on the end of Demy de Zeeuw’s low cross. Torres came close to equalising but headed onto the post from a corner.

Chances continued to come for the hosts through Maxi Rodriguez, who saw a couple of opportunities saved. Those missed chances came back to bite Liverpool as they fell 2-0 behind moments before the break.

Liverpool failed to clear and the ball found itself to the unmarked Kiki Musampa in the penalty area. He chested the ball down and fired home.

Fernando Torres in action for Liverpool (
Image:
Getty Images)

Sven-Goran Eriksson before managing Liverpool vs Ajax (
Image:
Getty Images)

Promoted Stories
That second goal gave Liverpool and Eriksson plenty to think about. A host of changes were made at the break including the introduction of cult hero Dirk Kuyt.

Another substitute Gregory Vignal eventually handed Liverpool a lifeline. He was picked out by a low Rodriguez cross and slotted home into the corner.

Torres should then have equalised only moments later but somehow fluffed his lines just yards out in front of the Kop. An acrobatic effort from Kuyt also sailed over the bar as Liverpool continued to push for their equaliser.

It did eventually come for the Reds through Djibril Cisse, who proved to be an excellent addition. Kuyt managed to keep a free-kick alive at the back post and teed up Cisse, who nodded home.

Fernando Torres celebrates with Sven-Goran Eriksson (
Image:
Getty Images)

The ex-Marseille and QPR forward then proved pivotal again. He managed to poke the ball to fellow substitute Nabil El Zhar while on the floor. The former Morocco international sprinted clear of the Ajax defence and lashed home to give Liverpool the lead for the first time.

Having finally seen their team go ahead, the Anfield crowd were desperate to see Torres finally get his goal and it eventually came with minutes to go. The former forward got on the end of Mark Gonzalez’s low cross and stretched just enough to poke it over the line via the post.

Following the full-time whistle, both sets of players and Eriksson were given the chance to lap up a round of applause from all corners of Anfield.