Liverpool fans may not have noted the presence of Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni on the touchline in Qatar - but the 44-year-old played a pivotal role in one of the Reds' most famous moments.
Scaloni guided his Argentina side to the World Cup final on Tuesday after beating Croatia 3-0. Manchester City's Julian Alvarez bagged an impressive brace at the Lusail Stadium but it was Lionel Messi - just nine years younger than his boss at 35 - who ran the show as he looks to add a world title to his decorated trophy cabinet.
Scaloni only took on the role in 2018 and has already guided the South American side to a Copa America triumph. But while his four years in management have been relatively plain sailing, he will be remembered on Merseyside and in East London for a match-defining error.
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Scaloni was signed on loan by Alan Pardew during his time at West Ham United back in January 2006. The full-back managed to settle well into Premier League football quickly enough to earn a place in the Hammers' line-up for that season's FA Cup final at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.
But with his side 3-2 up going into injury-time and on course for a shock win over Liverpool, Scaloni's lack of composure saw him scuff a clearance that ended with Steven Gerrard rifling home an astonishing equaliser. That took the tie into extra-time and, with no more goals being scored in the additional 30 minutes, the final went to a penalty shoot-out, which the Reds won 3-1.
Dean Ashton, the former England striker who started for West Ham in Cardiff, has been reliving the match, and his team-mate's fatal mistake, in the wake of Argentina's progression into the World Cup final.
“West Ham fans will never forget him, as will I not,” Ashton told White and Jordan on talkSPORT. “Well I mean, he came on loan he did six months, was a great character, did well for us, FA Cup final, all he needs to do is smash it back to [Pepe] Reina or put it out into the stands.
“He shanks his clearance, goes back into our box, and [Steven] Gerrard scores.”
That goal will live long in the memory for Liverpool supporters, with Gerrard's cannoned effort one of the club's most famous strikes. Rafa Benitez's side went on to win the decisive penalty shootout 3-1 thanks to goals from Dietmar Hamann, Gerrard and John Arne Riise. Scaloni will be hoping Sunday's final against France doesn't go as far.
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