BT Sport will launch its assault on Sky with an exclusive screening of the testimonial game for England and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.
The Liverpool player will be honoured at Anfield on Saturday, August 3, kick-off 12.45pm, when the Reds take on Greek champions Olympiacos to mark Gerrard’s one-club career of 630 appearances and 159 goals.
The Gerrard testimonial will be the first live game on BT Sport as it prepares to take on the dominance of Sky Sports, not just in football, but in rugby, tennis, MotoGP and more.
Read Recombu Digital’s guides to What’s on BT Sport and How to get BT SportBT Sport will have exclusively live coverage of the match in the UK and Ireland, as well as pre and post-match interviews with Steven, who is regarded as one of the club’s greatest ever players.
All money raised from the Gerrard’s testimonial year events, including the testimonial match, will be donated to the Steven Gerrard Foundation, which supports children’s charities in Merseyside and beyond. BT Sport’s payment for exclusive live rights to the match will also be paid directly to the foundation.
Steven Gerrard said: “I am delighted that BT Sport will be showing my testimonial live and that this will help to raise more money for the important work of my foundation.”
“It should be a great match and will be a competitive one in preparation for the coming season. I have great memories of the last time we played Olympiacos, when I was fortunate enough to score against them to go through to the knockout stage, on our way to winning the UEFA Champions League in 2004/5.”
Simon Green, head of BT Sport, said: “We are thrilled to be kicking off our live football coverage on BT Sport with this testimonial for the England captain, who is one of the greatest current players in the game. BT Sport is also delighted that we are able to support Steven in his charitable aims and make a contribution to his foundation, which does valuable work in the community.
“This testimonial should act as a perfect curtain raiser for the coming season and a first opportunity for football fans to experience what BT Sport will have to offer over the coming years.”
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