Paddy Pimblett was at Anfield yesterday to watch Liverpool take on Real Madrid in the league phase of the Champions League. The 30-year-old UFC fighter is a fan of the Reds and is often in attendance at games. Yesterday was particularly special for Paddy as he met one of his sporting heroes.
A post was shared to Instagram by the fighter, posing alongside Liverpool FC legend Steven Gerrard. He captioned the post “Finally got to meet Mr Liverpool, one of our own and Huyton’s finest, Steven Gerrard. My absolute childhood hero, proper Scouser who gave his all to the club.”
He also called out an opponent, saying: “no-show from Ilia Topuria, where was you tonight? Thought you was a Real Madrid fan? Can’t wait to bully you in the octagon like the Reds just bullied ‘your team’ for 90 minutes.”
Gerrard responded to the post by saying “good to see you mate”. The post was liked by Gerrard’s eldest daughter Lilly, Wayne Rooney, Jack McMullen, Neco Williams and James-Nelson Joyce.
Gerrard’s name was echoed around the ground last night as fans took aim at Trent Alexander-Arnold during a 1-0 win against Madrid. The former Liverpool captain made 710 appearances for the Reds, scoring 186 goals and winning a number of trophies, including a Champions League, FA Cups, Uefa Cup, League Cups and Super Cup.
In January 2015, the captain made the emotional announcement of his intention to leave the club at the end of the campaign after 17 years as a Red, departing for a new challenge in America with LA Galaxy.
Paddy was vocal about his feelings towards Alexander-Arnold when he left the club to join Real Madrid after his contract ended earlier this year.
Asked how he felt about Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave the club, Paddy told ESPN: “I’ve never ever in my life seen one of our players get booed. That’s how you know it’s real.
“It’s standard. If you’re going to string your club along. You’re meant to be a Scouser lad. Van Dijk and Salah are now more Scousers than he is, simple as that.”
He added: “He just didn’t do an interview about it because he knew he was leaving. Even that pitiful video he put out reading a teleprompter. Nothing that he said was from his heart. He didn’t even get emotional, if I was leaving Liverpool Football Club I’d be crying my eyes out. He’s forgotten where he’s come from.”
Fans of the Scouse sportsman left comments under the recent post shared by Paddy. One said: “Gerrard must of been buzzing there tonight. Listening to 60,000 fans still singing his name 10 years after he played for the club. Chelsea and Madrid turned his head. But he stayed and his name will be sung for another 100 years.”
Another comment said “Belter, two proper Scousers” and further responses included “That’s the best photo ever”. Gerrard was also at Anfield on Saturday to watch Liverpool take on Aston Villa.
Speaking to TNT Sports on Saturday evening, Gerrard spoke about being in the running for the Rangers manager role. He said: “In terms of Rangers, very close. I had some really positive and interesting talks with the owners. It felt a bit rushed to me because I had my family in Bahrain at the time.
“I had a lot to think about and a short space of time to give a decision. There was a few things that I was uncertain about. And if I’m going to take a challenge that big and that important, I’ve got that affection and that connection with Rangers.
“For me to take that on again, it had to be perfect and I had to be 100 per cent ready. Unfortunately I wasn’t due to the timing, so I stepped aside and I wish them all the best. They’re got a fantastic manager now. I’ll watch as a fan from afar and I wish them all the best.”