A decade ago from Diego Maradona's trip to Anfield, we look at why the Argentinian legend is such a big Liverpool fan.
Many who watched the tremendous but troubled genius Diego Armando Maradona in the flesh believe him to be the most-gifted footballer of all-time but although he never made it to Anfield as a player, he finally made it to Merseyside to watch a Liverpool Europa League match against Lille on March 18, 2010.
Taking his place in the directors box, Maradona was greeted by compatriot and new Reds signing Maxi Rodriguez, who although ineligible to play that evening is still turning out for home town team the aptly-named Newell's Old Boys these days aged 39.
They watched Rafa Benitez's side overturn Eden Hazard's goal from the first leg to triumph 3-0 on the night through an early Steven Gerrard penalty plus a second half brace from Fernando Torres.
The game took place in what proved to be Benitez's final season in charge but it seems that Maradona had been a fan of the Reds ever since 'that' night in Istanbul.
After watching the 2005 Champions League final, the man who once described his controversial World Cup goal against England as being “The hand of God”, declared: “The English club proved that miracles really do exist. I've now made Liverpool my English team. They showed that football is the most beautiful sport of all.
“The Liverpool supporters didn't let me go to sleep the night before, there were 10 of them to every three Milan supporters.
“They showed their unconditional support at half-time when they were losing 3-0 and still they didn't stop singing.”
Fast forward to the present day and Maradona's passion for the Reds has not abated it seems with him naming current manager Jurgen Klopp as his favourite football boss.
Known for his own passionate displays on the touchline as highlighted in the Netflix series 'Maradona in Mexico' which documented his turbulent spell reviving the fortunes of second tier outfit Dorados, he said of the Liverpool manager: “I love what he conveys, the type that gives me confidence.
“Before at Dortmund and now in the Premier League. Klopp is always going forward.”
