Liverpool legends named for Masters Football return as fan-favourites set to feature
The iconic Masters Football tournament returns in 2026 with Liverpool legends set to face Chelsea, Ajax and Real Madrid in the round-robin event at OVO Arena Wembley
Andy Carroll will play for Liverpool at the Masters Football.(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool legends will feature in the Masters Football competition as the iconic tournament makes a welcome comeback at the end of May. A host of Anfield greats will go head-to-head against Liverpool, Ajax and Real Madrid in the Masters European Champions series on May 31.
The much-loved six-a-side competition will take place at OVO Arena Wembley and will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and HBO Max. The tournament will consist of 14-minute matches in a round-robin format, with two sides competing in the final.
Cult hero Jari Litmanen leads the team of former Liverpool players eyeing success in London at the end of this month. Stewart Downing, Andy Carroll and Jermaine Pennant are also set to pull on the red again.
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The Masters European Champions series will serve as the centrepiece of a packed fortnight of showpiece football finals on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
Carroll will be one of the latest retirees having played in the National League South with Dagenham & Redbridge, netting six goals in 13 matches. However, he was forced to hang up his boots when he took over the club on a caretaker basis following the dismissal of Lee Bradbury.
The broadcaster has an impressive lineup of landmark finals to offer, including the FA Cup, Europa League, Champions League, UEFA Conference League and Women’s FA Cup, before the legends’ round-robin tournament takes centre stage.
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Carlo Cudicini will guard the net for Chelsea, with Robert Huth, Frank Sinclair and Jody Morris among the familiar faces from the noughties and tens joining the squad. The 2025 Masters witnessed several North West sides go head-to-head, with Liverpool facing Manchester City, Manchester United and Everton. City emerged victorious from the competition.
Tickets for the tournament remain available through: https://www.mastersfootball.com/ Squads for the Masters European Champions 2026 (subject to change):
Liverpool
1. Sander Westerveld, 34. Martin Kelly, 38. Jon Flanagan, 19. Stewart Downing, 16. Jermaine Pennant, 37. Jari Litmanen, 7. Rickie Lambert, 9. Andy Carroll, 3. Paul Konchesky.
Chelsea
23. Carlo Cudicini, 29. Robert Huth, 3. Frank Sinclair, 20. Jody Morris, 15. Mario Melchiot, 4. Claude Makelele, 9. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, 18. Loic Remy.
Ajax
1. Maarten Stekelenburg, 20. Demy de Zeeuw, 13. Ricardo van Rhijn, 23. Hedwiges Maduro, 6. Aron Winter, 10. Siem de Jong, 2. Gregory van der Wiel, 9. Nwankwo Kanu
Real Madrid
1. Pedro Contreras Gonzalez, 30. Raul Bravo, 12. Ivan Campo, 24. Javi Balboa, 27. Ruben de la Red, 15. Geremi, 27. Antonio Nunez, 9. Alvaro Negredo
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