IT seems the allure of Liverpool FC — or at least a collection of its former players — has a unifying effect that not even the UN could hope to achieve.

The Socceroos Legends squad preparing to face the Liverpool team coming here next month will have to “bury the hatchet” over past enmities, according to coach Graham Arnold, and the team’s first training session managed to achieve just that.

Long-time adversaries Robbie Slater and Craig Foster shook hands and even — gasp — passed the ball to each other in a light passing drill that was more grinning than grunting, several decades’ worth of flicks and tricks on show immediately.

Slater and Foster were joined by luminaries including Jason Culina, Alex Tobin and Mile Sterjovski, at the start of what is likely to be a fairly light-touch preparation for the game at ANZ Stadium next month. Given the chance to face-off with Steven Gerrard et al, old divisions won’t be allowed to appear.

“They’ll have to bury the hatchet this week for the game,” said Arnold with a grin. “A lot of it is good banter as well, from people who are passionate about the game and football in this country

“They’re all committed — speaking to them all, they’re all playing friendly football and in good shape. Hopefully the ex-Liverpool boys won’t be too fit either, and we need one player who can run as hard as Steven Gerrard — I thinking that might be Jason Culina.

“A lot of these boys have experienced wonderful times, and now they have a chance to get back together in a way you rarely do once you’re finished with the national team.”