Former Liverpool player and assistant manager Sammy Lee admitted in an interview with The Athletic that he has only recently gone back to matches at Anfield, having feared a negative reaction upon returning to the stadium following his involvement with their Merseyside rivals.
In December 2017, the two-time European Cup winner followed long-time boss Sam Allardyce to Everton after he took the manager’s job at Goodison Park, with Lee also working under him at Bolton and Crystal Palace, as well as during a brief England tenure.
In an interview shared by The Athletic reporter James Pearce on Twitter (@JamesPearceLFC), the 61-year-old spoke of his apprehension about potential heckling upon his return to Anfield, saying: “Even if it had only been one person it would have hurt but the people have been great to me.”
Sammy Lee has only recently started attending games at Anfield again. He was worried about the reaction from #LFC fans after his spell at Everton.
“Even if it had only been one person it would have hurt but the people have been great to me.” https://t.co/GITWAALEgf— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) March 19, 2020
Lee made 295 appearances for Liverpool between 1978 and 1986, playing in two European Cup triumphs, and later worked in the first team coaching setup under Gerard Houllier and Rafael Benitez. He has mainly worked as an assistant manager in his post-playing career, aside from a brief spell in charge of Bolton in 2007. [via liverpoolfc.com]
These Liverpool fans on Twitter continue to hold him in high regard despite his involvement with Everton and insist that he will always be most welcome at Anfield:
Sammy is a red…he’s always been a red..just because he wasn’t employed by the club should never question his love and loyalty to LFC…
— tonka (@JamieTonka) March 19, 2020
Sammy is an @LFC legend and was going to work. Nothing else to say.#YNWA @TheRedmenTV @thisisanfield @OliverKay @JNorthcroft @GaryLineker @angiesliverpool
— Steve Bowers ?? (@Stevebo65) March 19, 2020
Liverpool should find him a job at the club, he is still legend at Anfield.
— Uzatal Khan (@Uzatal) March 19, 2020
I was strangely enjoying watching Sammy playing his trade so professionally. I’ve met him a couple of times through work and it was immediately obvious that he is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. I was bowled over with his warmth. Love him and always will.
— James McAdam (@JaytheRed) March 19, 2020
He’s always been a RED, the other place was just a job!?
— Stan moraghan (@Lfc26939) March 19, 2020
He is forgiven. He was just following his boss. Michael Owen will never be forgiven – he had a choice
— Darren Michaels (@dazzammm) March 19, 2020
Liverpool fans, what did you make of Lee’s words on him coming back to Anfield? Have your say by commenting below!
