Nine years on, the truth is finally out.
Alan Smith has dismissed long-standing rumours about what happened in the aftermath of a disgusting injury he suffered at Anfield in 2006.
Smith, who was playing for Manchester United at the time, suffered a broken leg and a dislocated ankle while blocking a John Arne Riise free-kick during an FA Cup tie against Liverpool.
Players from both sides were visibly distraught having witnessed Smith’s injury and he was ferried to hospital immediately afterwards.
Rumours soon circulated that the ambulance in which Smith was travelling was intentionally held up by Liverpool fans, who allegedly pelted it with stones and beer bottles and even tried rocking it in an attempt to turn it over.
Smith, now playing for Notts County, was happy to put the rumours to bed in an interview with FourFourTwo magazine.
“It didn’t happen – fans were still in the ground,” Smith said.
“I went back to Liverpool a few years later with Newcastle and had a great reception.
“I had loads of mail from fans after the injury, including a lot from Liverpool. And Liverpool’s medical staff were great.
“They were worried that because there was no blood flowing that I could have had a club foot.
“Some might say I might as well have in my left foot now!”
