Olympiacos and Liverpool have developed a particular relation, not just because of last year’s Anfield testimonial for their great captain Steven Gerrard. Back then, Olympiacos President Mr. Marinakis had donated GBP 100,000 to this great Englishman’s foundation which brought both clubs even closer. It was actually these days last year when Gerrard said that he was an Olympiacos fan and that our side will always have a place in his heart.
At Chicago’s Soldier Field, where our Legend played against Liverpool in the context of 2014, both sides showed once more that their bonds are really strong. Just before kick-off an emotional moment took place. Our sides’ great captains, Avraam Papadopoulos and Steven Gerrard, stood one next to the other at the kickoff spot. Both players were holding each a wreath, a white and a red one, representing both clubs’ colors. The wreaths were dedicated to the 21 and 96 souls, respectively, that were unfairly lost in Karaiskakis Gate 7 tragedy and the Hillsborough one. These 21 + 96 souls who still watch their dear clubs from above with no pause, as they did for the Soldier Field fixture.
People in the stands was closely watching Papadopoulos and Gerrard paying honors to the Legend’s and Liverpool’s deads and, in the end, gave a very warm applause to the club’s initiative as performed by both captains.
Exchange of gifts
During the break, Olympiacos and Liverpool showed once more why they feel one close to the other. Christian Karembeu and Pierre Issa were hosted at Liverpool’s box and met members of the Reds’ Administration, as well as legendary Liverpool stars, such as Kenny Dalglish, Robbie Fowler and Ian Rush!
Christian Karembeu presented Liverpool’s officials with a plaque bearing the current date, the name of the stadium and a wreath of laurel leaves, a symbol of victory. Pierre Issa handed them a “red-and-white” jersey and received a honorary plaque by Mr. Billy Hogan.
In such a brief and very solemn ceremony, the Legend and Liverpool kept their “bond” alive and both sides expressed their will to meet again in the future!
It is for this applause…
Above all, what stays in our memory and hearts is one thing: the warm and loud applause by Liverpool fans and the Americans bearing the Reds shirt towards our Legend as they marched in Soldier Field’s pitch for our side’s warm-up before kickoff! It was exactly the same warm applause that our side’s was given last year by Liverpool fans while making its entrance in Anfield for Gerrard’s Testimonial!
