Jamie Carragher will mark his lengthy Liverpool tenure with the only club he has played for with a testimonial at Anfield on Saturday against an Everton XI. He has persuaded a number of former Reds to turn out for his Liverpool side and the likes of Michael Owen, Danny Murphy, Jerzy Dudek, Luis Garcia, Emile Heskey will make an appearance.
There has been some speculation Owen's return, as he now plays for arch-rivals Manchester United, may not be a happy homecoming but Carragher said that would be unfair.
"I hope it doesn't affect the reception, I think he deserves a great one for what he did for Liverpool," said the centre-back.
"He was a fantastic player right up there with the greats for what he did.
"He left in difficult circumstances (Owen was sold to Real Madrid with less than a year remaining on his contract) but when he went to Manchester United his career was on a bit of a downward spiral, he'll admit that himself.
"The chance to go to one of the biggest clubs of the world was difficult to turn down.
"He moved and upset some people but he had to do what was right for himself and his family.
"His kids were just starting school and he wanted to move back home so that came into it as well.
"I saw the other day Bobby Charlton played in Tommy Smith's [testimonial] and he wore a Liverpool kit - I think that is worse isn't it?
"But it will be good for a lot of those players to get the appreciation of the crowd.
"If I was in that situation and moved away from Liverpool I'd love the chance to play at Anfield and pull on the red shirt again."
All proceeds from Saturday's game and evening gala dinner go to Carragher's 23 Foundation, which supports local charities and groups.
