Liverpool vs Napoli: Remembering Marca’s ‘This is Anfield so what?’ headline after Dries Mertens ridicules famous sign

Liverpool vs Napoli: Remembering Marca’s ‘This is Anfield so what?’ headline after Dries Mertens ridicules famous sign
Napoli ace Dries Mertens has made fun of Liverpool’s famous ‘This is Anfield’ sign ahead of the two teams clashing in the Champions League this evening.Mertens could not believe just how disappointing the sign was when he visited the Reds’ famous home eight years ago while playing for Utrecht.3

Mertens has a second opportunity to see the famous sign tonight

My strongest memory is that they have a sign saying This is Anfield and everyone was talking about it, so I was thinking its very big, you know.I came through the tunnel and I asked, Where is the thing? and they said you missed it and I hadnt noticed it.So, in the second half, Im looking at this small thing and asking, Is this so special?

• How Liverpool can qualify for the Champions League knockout stage
• Ian Rush EXCLUSIVE: Europa League could derail Liverpools title challenge
• Joe Gomez signs new long-term contract with Liverpool

Mertens’ comments have obviously not gone down well with Liverpool fans, who hope their side run riot against Napoli tonight to get revenge – and book their place in the Champions League knockout stage.And it would not be the first time the Merseyside club have got their own back after the ‘This is Anfield’ sign was disrespected. Back in March 2009, Real Madrid rocked up at Anfield in the Champions League last 16, needing to recover from a 1-0 defeat suffered to Rafa Benitez’s side at the Bernabeu in the first leg of the tie.On the day of the second leg, Madrid-based publication Marca ran as their headline story: ‘This is Anfield… so what?’.3

This did not age well

The headline was meant to downplay Liverpool’s famous home and those historic European nights which are so often spoken about.It did NOT work, however.Clearly fired up by the negative coverage, Liverpool ran riot that evening, scoring four times in front of their own fans to knock Real Madrid out of Europe by a 5-0 aggregate scoreline.Fernando Torres opened the scoring, with Steven Gerrard adding Liverpool’s second – from the penalty spot – and third either side of half-time.3

Gerrard and co got the perfect revenge over Real Madrid

And then, to round off the revenge, even Andrea Dossena scored for the hosts.A repeat of that performance tonight, against Napoli, would be the perfect way to get revenge over Mertens and his complete disrespect of that famous, famous sign.

---

Football Manager 2019: How football looks 200 years in the future

---

The history of Chelsea's cursed number nine shirt including Fernando Torres, Radamel Falcao and more flops Proven strikers have signed for the Blues but have failed to perform when wearing the
The History of Chelsea's Number 9 Shirt: Is there really a curse?

---

Fulham vs Chelsea team news: Kepa returns to starting line-up

---

Manchester United mocked by rival fans after clappers

---

Everton have held talks over a proposed move for free agent Jonas Lossl, reports claim. The Toffees are looking for back-up for No.1 goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and Lossl has just been released by
Everton transfer news: Toffees hold talks with | SportSpyder

---

Former Man City Star, Yaya Toure Retires, Seeks Coaching Career Manchester City legend Yaya Toure is heading into retirement at the age of 35, his agent Dimitri Seluk has revealed. The Ivorian's
Manchester City Legend Yaya Toure Retires From Football

---

Manchester City increase season ticket prices by three per cent for 2019/20 and most expensive will now cost £950 by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 30 May Manchester City have increased the price of their season tickets by three per cent despite insisting they are committed to affordable ticketing.
Man City fans react to new season ticket prices - Manchester

---

BARCELONA have signed defender Jeison Murillo on loan from Valencia until the end of the season. The La Liga champions were in the market for a new centre-back following injuries to Samuel Umtiti
Barcelona reach loan deal for Valencia centre-back Jeison Murillo

---

Find the perfect Queens Park Rangers Unveil New Manager Steve Mcclaren stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Download premium images you can't get anywhere else.
Angel Rangel: Queens Park Rangers defender - BBC Sport

---

After a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United on Monday night, Arsenal moved above Manchester United and north London rivals Tottenham into third place, putting their top-four fate into their own
Arsenal vs Newcastle United: TV channel, live stream, squad

---

Shaka Hislop chooses not to get drawn into comparisons between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi following the Argentine's 33rd La Liga hat trick.(1:57) Lionel Messi was given a standing ovation
Real Betis fans chant Lionel Messi's name and give Barcelona

---