Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has thanked Michael Owen for taking part in yesterday's testimonial.
Former Reds and current Manchester United striker Owen received a mixed reception.
Carragher admitted the plan had been for Owen to take Liverpool's penalty late in the first half only for the Anfield crowd to have a different opinion.
"I asked the referee to give us a penalty before half-time because I was thinking about Michael as I wanted him to score - I totally forgot that people would want me to take one," said the 32-year-old, who hopes to raise £1million for his 23 Foundation through this game and a gala dinner.
"He's my best mate in football and I think it took a lot of courage to come back today and do it for me knowing he would take a lot of stick.
"But I think the crowd would have killed him if he'd taken the penalty listening to their reaction.
"Then I was terrified of missing because that is what everyone would remember so I had to bluff the keeper into thinking I was putting it on the spot and take it quickly."
