 THE red shirts are much more figure-hugging than they used to be but there were still flashes of the old magic yesterday as the Liverpool legends completed preparations for their return to Anfield. Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush, John Barnes, John Aldridge, Alan Hansen, Robbie Fowler and Bruce Grobbelaar are just some of the former Anfield heroes taking part in the Tsunami Soccer Aid event this Sunday, when they face a celebrities team managed by Harry Redknapp. Over 27,000 tickets have been sold for the event, which will raise funds for two UK charities involved in helping the devastated region - Save the Children and Merlin. Organised by Tranmere captain Jason McAteer, ex-Liverpool and Everton striker David Johnson and football agent David Lockwood the game has attracted a celebrity team including Shane Ritchie, Brian McFadden, Patrick McGuinness (Paddy from Phoenix Nights), Kasabian and Ralf Little. Many of the Liverpool team were at the club's Youth Academy in Kirkby for a final training session yesterday and for Barnes, a patron of Save the Children, the Tsunami Soccer Aid game is more than just an opportunity to grace Anfield once again.
 Barnes said: "I've been involved with Save the Children Fund for a number of years now and they are a very reputable organisation. "The images that we all saw over Christmas moved everyone and it is good to see so many people and ex-players rallying around this worthwhile cause. "The good thing from my point of view is that I know the good work Save the Children does. I've been out to Africa with them on many occasions and I know what an impact they have. "Sometimes it's a problem for charities that people don't know exactly where the money is going but with Save the Children involved you know it will go to the people who need it." Save the Children is now focusing on long-term work in the affected countries, including schools, homes and health centres, while Merlin provide medical relief and vital health care in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. * TSUNAMI Soccer Aid will be broadcast live on Sky One from 3.30pm on Easter Sunday (kick-off 4pm). Tickets are still available on 0870 220 0056, at the Liverpool FC Ticket Office or at Tranmere Rovers club shop. For further information, go to www.tsunamisocceraid.co.uk/ |