“He came from Urugyay, he made the Scousers cry,” the Manchester United faithful still sing.
Diego Forlan’s largely unspectacular time at Old Trafford is remembered almost entirely for the time he scored a brace at Anfield in the 2002/2003 season. United went on to win the league title that year.
Forlan would break Anfield hearts again in 2010, scoring in extra-time of the Europa League semi-final against Liverpool for Atletico Madrid.
However, despite being a thorn in Liverpool’s sides in two high profile games, Forlan fondly remembers the reception he received from the Anfield crowd.
“I also went back to Anfield with Atletico Madrid and scored the goal which knocked them out of the 2010 Europa League and put us into the final,” he said.
“After the game, the Liverpool fans in the main stand applauded me. That was a big gesture as I’d not only played for United, but I’d just ended their European dream in the semi-final.”
Forlan, now playing in Hong Kong for Kitchee, also claimed that playing at Anfield ranks alongside games at the home of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
“I have played at football’s finest stadiums including the Bernabeu, San Siro, Camp Nou and Old Trafford.”
“They are among the best and the biggest, but when I’m asked about the great venues I’ve played in around the world, I also mention one of the smaller ones, Anfield.”
