Liverpool fans are about to witness the “impossible” midfield. In a move that feels like a glitch in the footballing matrix, former midfielder Thiago Alcantara is officially returning to Anfield this March. He’s bringing a certain Scouse captain with him.
The occasion? The annual LFC Foundation charity match against Borussia Dortmund Legends on Saturday, 28 March. While these matches are always a spectacle, the 2026 edition carries a weight of “what if”. As a result, the fanbase is buzzing.
There is a specific brand of “football heritage” that exists within the walls of Anfield a lineage of pass-masters and powerhouses that spans generations. Yet, in the modern era, two names have often sat on opposite sides of a tantalising tactical divide. These players are Steven Gerrard and Thiago Alcântara.
One was the local heartbeat, a force of nature who dragged a club to its fifth European Cup through sheer will. The other was the ultimate “luxury” acquisition. He was a La Masia-reared technician who saw passes before the fans in the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand even realised they were open.
The LFC Foundation has confirmed that Thiago will pull on the Red shirt once more for the Liverpool Legends’ clash against Borussia Dortmund. But it isn’t just the Spaniard’s return that has the pulses of the fanbase excited. Indeed, it is the mouthwatering prospect of him sharing the centre circle with the greatest captain in the club’s history.
Steven Gerrard: the soul of the engine room
For 17 years, Steven Gerrard wasn’t just a player; he was a rescue mission in a pair of Adidas Predators. Whether it was the Olympiacos screamer or the 2006 “Gerrard Final,” the Scouser’s game was built on raw power, verticality, and an unrivaled refusal to lose.
In his prime, Gerrard was the archetypal box-to-box “eight,” a player who could thunder into a tackle in his own box. Also, he could be at the other end of the pitch to head home a winner thirty seconds later.
While he matured into a more refined, deep-lying playmaker under Brendan Rodgers, that “Hollywood” passing range remained. He kept the ability to switch play with a 60-yard raking ball that landed on a teammate’s toe with the precision of a laser.
The partnership: rhythm meets thunder
The prospect of pairing Gerrard with Thiago isn’t just about putting two big names on a team sheet. Instead, it’s about a tactical symphony we never got to witness.
In a Q&A shortly after his arrival in 2020, Thiago himself admitted that playing with Gerrard would have been a “pleasure,” noting, “He’s a legendary midfielder… it would be a way for me to learn more about football, for sure.”Gerrard’s response? “The pleasure would have been all mine.”
What could this partnership actually offer?
- The ultimate “double pivot”: Thiago’s game is built on rhythm short, sharp, “needle” passes that bait a press and then bypass it. With Thiago dictating the tempo from the base, Gerrard would be liberated to operate as the roaming midfielder. As a result, he is arriving late in the box to finish the moves Thiago starts.
- A monopoly on possession: Imagine a midfield where the opposition simply cannot get the ball. If they press Thiago, he spins away. However, if they sit deep to stop him, Gerrard has the license to unleash his trademark “thunderbolts” from 30 yards.
- The long and short of It: You have the world’s best exponent of the 5-yard “hidden” pass (Thiago) alongside the world’s best exponent of the 50-yard “diagonal” (Gerrard). It is a defence’s nightmare. This pairing demands you defend every blade of grass simultaneously.
The Klopp factor: a dugout reunion
The sentimentality of the afternoon doesn’t end with the playing staff. In a move that ensures a 54,000-sellout, Jurgen Klopp is set for his first Anfield return since that emotional May afternoon in 2024.
Klopp will take his place as Assistant Manager to Sir Kenny Dalglish. It is a coaching ticket that boasts more trophies than most entire leagues. Seeing Klopp back in the technical area is a poignant reminder of what he restored. Likely, he will share a laugh with Ian Rush and John Aldridge. This reminds us of the stability and success he restored to the club.
| Position | Players / Staff |
| Goalkeepers | Pepe Reina, Jerzy Dudek, Sander Westerveld |
| Defenders | Sami Hyypia, Martin Skrtel, Martin Kelly, Fabio Aurelio |
| Midfielders | Steven Gerrard, Thiago, Yossi Benayoun, Vladimir Smicer |
| Forwards | Dirk Kuyt, Natasha Dowie, Louise Schillgard |
| Management | Sir Kenny Dalglish (Mgr), Jurgen Klopp (Asst) |
The greater cause
While the footballing world will focus on the aesthetic beauty of the Gerrard-Thiago link-up, the true victory lies off the pitch.
All proceeds from the match with tickets priced at £29.50 for adults go toward the LFC Foundation and Forever Reds, supporting local employability and former players.
For one afternoon in March, the “midfield we never had” becomes the midfield we finally get to see. And for the Anfield faithful, that alone is worth the price of admission.
