Luis Suarez returns to Anfield with Fernando Torres

Luis Suarez was afforded a hero's welcome on his return to Anfield and won a second-half penalty in front of the Kop in a Liverpool All-Star charity match.

The Uruguayan was back at his former home for the first time since his summer move to Barcelona and came on with fellow ex-Reds striker Fernando Torres, the two delaying their entrance to appear in unison amid huge roars of support.

Suarez, 28, was a half-time substitute for Steven Gerrard's team and earned the spot kick against opposing captain Jamie Carragher, which Gerrard converted. The match, organised in aid of the Liverpool FC Foundation, ended in a 2-2 draw.

While it was unsurprising that Suarez garnered such adulation, Torres may not have expected a positive reception four years after he left Merseyside for Premier League rival Chelsea.

Torres posted his thanks to social media, writing on Instagram: "Thank you Liverpool supporters for everything you gave me in my career, you are just different class. It was a privilege to play in front of you again. Today I feel in peace with myself, hearing you singing my name is something I will never forget. From the bottom of my hart thank you very much Liverpool!!!"

The duo of Torres and Suarez predictably forged a useful partnership for the final 45 minutes and it was Suarez who won the second penalty after he nutmegged Carragher before being hauled down by the now-television pundit.

It was a pair of strikers still plying their trade in this country who stole the show in the first half.

Liverpool's own Mario Balotelli broke the deadlock with a vicious, swerving hit from 25 yards and it was from the Italian's defence-splitting pass that Didier Drogba rounded Australia's Brad Jones and made it 2-0.

Gerrard, back on the Anfield turf seven days after his rapid dismissal against Manchester United last week, made no mistake against former team-mate Pepe Reina from 12 yards to reduce the deficit before half-time and it was his second penalty in the second period that ensured it finished all square.

Suarez could not muster up a winning goal as he headed the game's final touch into the side-netting, but the biggest cheer was still reserved for him during the lap of honour.