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Claude Makelele was left limping and with his head in his hands after the former midfield ace was on the receiving end of a crunching tackle from Natasha Dowie. The pair were taking part in a charity match between Liverpool Legends and Chelsea Legends at Anfield.
There was a star-studded line-up on show for both sides, with several Champions League winners gracing the hallowed Anfield turf for the international break contest. And while neither side were able to find a goal during a cagey first half, it was a moment between Makelele and former Liverpool women’s star Dowie – who became the first woman to appear in the annual Legends match – that had fans wincing.
Makelele had shown characteristic class inside his own penalty area to wriggle away from the challenge of Dirk Kuyt and Sami Hyypia. However, what the Frenchman didn’t see coming was a steaming Dowie, whose late tackle sent Makelele flying to the floor.
Dowie threw up her hands to explain how the tackle wasn’t intentional, with the former England international immediately checking to see if her counterpart was okay. It had at first looked as if Makelele was a touch worse for wear, given he’d gone down covering his face in agony.
When the two-time Premier League winner eventually returned to his feet, he had to be helped up and looked as if he was carrying a limp. Makelele rendered less sympathy from his Chelsea Legends team-mates though, with several seen sporting smirks after he was clattered into.
Reacting to the incident, the commentator said: “It was an accident but Makelele felt the full force of that one.” Phil Thompson, who was on co-commentary duty, chimed in with: “Let’s hope he’s alright, he did ride it [the tackle] a little bit. Great feet by Makelele but Dowie takes him out…
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