Vladimir Smicer is relishing a rematch of Liverpool’s Champions League final win.
Smicer will reunite with other heroes from the Reds’ iconic 2005 triumph to take on their AC Milan counterparts to help raise funds for the LFC Foundation.
Jamie Carragher, Jerzy Dudek and Luis Garcia have also agreed to face a Milan side featuring Paolo Maldini, Gennaro Gattuso and Dida on Saturday, March 23.
The midfielder signed off his Anfield career in Istanbul by scoring the second goal in the memorable fightback as well as a decisive penalty in the shoot-out.
Speaking exclusively to Click Liverpool, Smicer admitted that he still gets emotional about the night he helped deliver a fifth European Cup to Merseyside.
He said: “That night in Istanbul was really special for everyone who supports Liverpool, for the players, for the fans.
“Because of the scenario of the game and for me, I don’t think I could have had a better goodbye than in this game. I knew before the game it was going to be my last game and of course I wasn’t sure to play.
“I was expecting to be on the bench but because of the injury to Harry Kewell, I had a chance to say goodbye to the fans on the pitch.
“I just wanted to use it as doing the best that I can do because I knew it was my last game. When it came to the penalty, I was really nervous because I didn’t want to miss!
“I knew it would definitely be my last kick for Liverpool so the pressure was even bigger! I was glad that at the end we won the cup and now we’re playing AC Milan again.
“For everyone who supports Liverpool, it was a special night and special memories.
“The emotion when I’m talking about this game is because 90 per cent of the fans ask me about AC Milan game, about my penalty, about when I scored the goal.
“I can speak five, six languages – Czech, German, French, English – about Istanbul.
“Everyone wants to know what happened in the that dressing room at half time so it’s quite good talking about this game. I still remember quite a lot.”
Smicer, 45, last played at Anfield less than 12 months ago, when Liverpool and Bayern Munich legends shared the spoils in a thrilling 10-goal encounter.
The ex-Czech Republic international has become a regular fixture for Liverpool Legends and scored in a 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund earlier this season.
But he admits that a return to his former stomping ground is always be one to savour.
“You know it’s always special to go back and play at Anfield,” he added.
“The stadium’s changed but the atmosphere never changed. It’s even better now with a bigger crowd.
“For us it’s really great to have a chance to play again at Anfield and just have some memories going back and try to play your best of course.
“Of course we’re not in the same fitness levels as we used to be but we’ll still give our best and it’s always important to play against a big team.
“We played already Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and now AC Milan. It’s a fantastic opportunity for us.”
Tickets for the game are on sale now, priced at £22 for Adults, £5 for Juniors and £15 for Over 65’s. For details and to buy tickets, click here.