Fair advice from a Liverpool legend

AS Athletic prepare for the match of their lives against Liverpool in tomorrow’s FA Cup third-round showdown, a man who starred for both sides has urged the visitors to come away from Anfield with no regrets.

David Fairclough, twice a European Cup winner on Merseyside, notched 55 goals in 153 appearances before departing the Reds in 1983.

A spell abroad was followed by a cameo at Norwich City before Joe Royle lured him to Athletic, where he remained for the 1985-86 campaign prior to a switch to Beveren in Belgium.

With a return of three goals in 20 appearances, his stint at Boundary Park may not have stood up to the glory days at Liverpool — nothing could.

But Fairclough retains happy memories and wants the current crop of Athletic players to make some of their own — although understandably, as a Scouser and columnist for the official club website, he stopped short of rooting for a giant-killing act.

He said: “I am genuinely looking forward to this match. Everyone loves the FA Cup and it should be interesting to watch two of my former clubs. Whatever happens, tomorrow night should be a great

occasion, particularly for Latics. Their lads have to make sure they enjoy the experience as not all of them will get the chance to play at Anfield again. My advice would be to come away with no regrets, regardless of the result.

“I remember my time at Oldham well. Ironically, the highlight was a match against Liverpool!

“We played them over two legs in the League Cup second round. After losing 3-0 at Anfield we got them back to Boundary Park and lost 5-2, but I scored both of our goals.

“If I remember rightly I celebrated both strikes — in those days it was no big deal to show your happiness at hitting the target against your ex-teammates. People make a big deal out of it now which I have never understood. I wish I could have done more in my time at Latics. I am still friends with Joe Royle but I have to say, I don’t think I was given a fair crack of the whip at Oldham. But that’s football.”

Fairclough is firmly in the red corner tomorrow — but did offer the underdogs hope. He added: “Northampton knocked us out of the League Cup at Anfield last season. These things do happen. I believe we are better prepared for the early rounds of the cup now Kenny Dalglish is in charge, but he will have to rest a few players at this busy time and you just never know what can happen in knockout competitions.”