Napoli forward Dries Mertens may have risked the wrath of Anfield ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League tie against Liverpool.
The Reds need to beat the Italian side either 1-0 or by two clear goals to progress to the last-16, with another raucous Anfield atmosphere expected. The occasion promises to be a hugely different one to the last time Mertens played at Anfield.
The Belgium international was part of the FC Utrecht team that drew 0-0 with Roy Hodgson's Liverpool in a dead rubber Europa League group game in December 2010.
The likes of Brad Jones, Danny Wilson, Christian Poulsen, Milan Jovanovic and Nathan Eccleston started that game, and Mertens says he wasn't impressed with an aspect of Anfield he thought would be bigger.
"My strongest memory is that they have a sign saying 'This is Anfield' and everyone was talking about it, so I was thinking it's very big, you know," Mertens told The Times.
"I came through the tunnel and I asked, 'Where is the thing?' and they said you missed it and I hadn't noticed it.
"So in the second half, I'm looking at this small thing and asking, 'is this so special?'"
Liv3rpool
303
can't believe I was a fan of him
liverpoli
282
What is wrong with him
judcdlmoru
256
At the end of the match he will notice the place he is playing and mocking you want come to Anfield and go Scot free
Nesaiknruy_Legend
250
I like Napoli as a team, my favourites in the UCL but that was just stupid. You never provoke Liverpool pre match at Anfield. That's when they're at their best....Mertens should show a little respect. It's probably mind games but he's taken it a bit far. Though I wonder if that's what he even really said or if the mainstream media are trying to make a quick buck off of an allegation....
zeydnpry
244
The sign:"This is Anfield":Means more " to Liverpool supporters.I cannot see a need of someone not attached to Liverpool Football Club making a joke out of it.Immediately you do that you are inviting troubles....In Jurgen Klopp Liverpool FC have their man.When Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool family pronounce the words:This is Anfield:It means more.The love and support they have for their club it means more... Be warned,Dries Mertens. That is Anfield for sure...Klopp the manager:ππππ
ratck
183
Mertens you will dream of our sign!
zeydnpry
137
Dries Mertens stop belittling Liverpool sign "This is Anfield".Your words of belittling it will haunt you..π€π€
PrinceVinny
97
well, it's so so special and you paid dearly for your ignoring the "This is Anfield" sign. good for you. go eat some chicken.