The Chelsea maverick Diego Costa went viral after writing on social media about his old Liverpool rival Martin Skrtel, following their altercation during a Legends match on Saturday afternoon. During international vacations, the two Premier League teams periodically roll back the years to raise funds for their respective foundations, with all earnings going towards addressing concerns in their communities.
The two clubs met in March, with Liverpool winning 2-0 thanks to two goals from Peter Crouch, and they resumed their rivalry over the weekend as thousands crowded Stamford Bridge. Ramires, John Terry, and Petr Cech played for the west Londoners, while Robbie Keane represented Liverpool in what is often a light-hearted event considering its philanthropic aim.
Anyone who expected Costa to provide a quiet performance could not have been more misguided. Though not as swift as he once was, the 37-year-old nevertheless went into tackles with the same fervour he demonstrated between 2014 and 2017. Constantly in the referee’s ear, his furious attitude led to him trading blows with Skrtel, much as in the old days. Watch the incident below.
Diego Costa’s Social Media Post After Martin Skrtel Battle Goes Viral
Charity matches are generally accompanied with a forecast of raining goals; for example, Soccer Aid concluded 5–4 this year. However, when it comes to Chelsea and Liverpool, their retired players can’t seem to put their differences behind them. When these two sides rekindle their old rivalry, there’s always a little more needle to pull.
And if you think Costa’s shenanigans on Saturday afternoon were staged, you’re mistaken. Once his studs are on, the former Spain international treats every game as if it were a Cup Final. Nonetheless, he was able to laugh it off long after the game ended, despite being the only player to receive a yellow card. View his Instagram post below:
The Chelsea-Liverpool rivalry from the early to mid-2000s, when Rafa Benitez and Jose Mourinho were often at odds, has never really subsided. In recent years, the rivalry has only grown stronger, with the two teams meeting on a regular basis in cup finals, with the Reds winning two League Cups and one FA Cup.
During Costa’s prime, the Blues were significantly superior to Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool. Costa received two Premier League winners’ medals and played a key role in both victories, at a time when Liverpool was still grappling with a league title drought that would take several years to end.
Off the pitch, however, the Scousers were always able to get under Costa’s skin, famously serenading him with the “Elephant Man” song that went viral during a League Cup semi-final at Anfield in 2015.
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