Best Wishes For Alan

18 Feb 2006 Liverpool 1-0 Man Utd - FA Cup 5th Round

BBC - Liverpool recorded their first FA Cup win over Man Utd 85 years with an impressive Anfield victory - Peter Crouch headed home Steve Finnan's cross after 19 minutes to give Rafael Benitez's side a deserved place in the quarter-finals. Edwin van der Sar had saved brilliantly from Harry Kewell seconds earlier as Liverpool dominated a poor United side. United's misery was compounded as substitute Alan Smith suffered a broken leg blocking a free-kick late on.

BBC - Smith suffers horrific leg break - Ferguson: "It's one of the worst I've seen. He's broken his leg and there's a dislocation of the ankle joint. It's a very long-term injury - we're all behind him as he's a brave lad."

Rafa: "The first thing to say is that we are all so sorry about the injury for Smith. You never like to see your own players injured and it's the same for opposition players as well. All we can say to him is good luck and we wish him well."

I don't particularly feel happy about this victory, though I think we've done a good job. Smith's injury just made me so sad. This is the last thing we want to see for any player on the pitch. Even if it was Gary Neville who broke his leg, I would have the same sympathy for him.
I was in a bar with some other Reds watching this match, and I found myself being worry about Alan Smith on my way home instead of being happy for the 1-0 revenge against Man Utd. All the wishes for him and hope he can come back...well, it won't be 'soon' I know, but hopefully one day! You'll Never Walk Alone.