Sven-Goran Eriksson manages Liverpool greats to comeback win against Ajax
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson applauds the crowd before the start of an exhibition soccer match between Liverpool Legends and Ajax Legends at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England, Saturday March 23, 2024. Former England boss Eriksson, who is a lifelong Liverpool fan, disclosed his terminal cancer diagnosis in January. Credit: AP/Jon Super
LIVERPOOL, England — Sven-Goran Eriksson received a standing ovation and a dramatic comeback win when taking charge of a Liverpool team for the first and likely last time on Saturday.
The former England manager was a Liverpool fan from childhood and said it was a dream come true to be given the chance to coach a team of the Merseyside club's greats against Ajax in a charity match at Anfield.
“I think everybody was a winner today and it was beautiful, absolutely fantastic," Eriksson said.
He revealed in January he had cancer and might have less than a year to live.
With his love of Liverpool well documented, he was asked to join club greats John Aldridge, John Barnes and Ian Rush on the sidelines for the annual charity game.
An Anfield crowd of 59,655 showed its appreciation for the Swedish coach, who is 76, with rousing applause as he walked onto the field before kickoff.
Earlier, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp showed his support when meeting Eriksson and the squad at its hotel.
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson looks up before the start of an exhibition soccer match between Liverpool Legends and Ajax Legends at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England, Saturday March 23, 2024. Former England boss Eriksson, who is a lifelong Liverpool fan, disclosed his terminal cancer diagnosis in January. Credit: AP/Jon Super
A team that included Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres ensured Eriksson enjoyed a 4-2 win from 2-0 down at halftime.
Derk Boerrigter and Kiki Musampa put Ajax in front at the break, but goals from Gregory Vignal, Djibril Cisse, Nabil El Zhar and Torres sealed a win for the home team.
In January, Eriksson said he has pancreatic cancer and it was inoperable.
“At best I have maybe a year, at worst maybe a little less,” he said.
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson loos around before the start of an exhibition soccer match between Liverpool Legends and Ajax Legends at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England, Saturday March 23, 2024. Former England boss Eriksson, who is a lifelong Liverpool fan, disclosed his terminal cancer diagnosis in January. Credit: AP/Jon Super
Eriksson had a storied career, winning championships in Italy, Portugal and Sweden. He was England manager from 2001-06.
This week he spoke about finally fulfilling his long-standing wish to manage Liverpool.
“When I was manager, I always dreamt about Liverpool, but it never happened,” he said. “It was close once. There were some discussions once. It was many years ago. It never happened but now it happens.”
