The young Liverpool fan's dream was to score in front of the Kop end but David James brutally shut him down twice
At Anfield, former Liverpool goalkeeper David James found himself at the center of boos and jeers after saving two penalties from an 11-year-old boy during a half-time event on Sunday.
The incident occurred during Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Chelsea, where James was present to support Standard Chartered's community program, 'Futuremakers.'
The young fan, excited to score in front of the iconic Kop, was left "absolutely gutted" when James, now 54, thwarted both of his attempts.
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Despite the cheers of the crowd, the atmosphere quickly shifted as boos echoed through the stands, directed at the ex-keeper, who showed little remorse for his actions.
Fans expressed their disappointment on social media, with many criticizing James for ruining a memorable moment for the young boy.
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One fan commented, "You should’ve let that kid score. It would’ve been a fantastic memory for him." Another added, "Honestly, this says so much about you. None of it good."
Ironically, James's impressive record of saving 13 penalties during his Premier League career, a feat unmatched to this day, came back to haunt him as he became the unexpected villain of the day.
While some supporters found humour in the situation, others were outraged, pointing out that a little empathy could have gone a long way.
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As if to add fuel to the fire, footage later surfaced of James letting in a weak shot from an adult fan, prompting further ridicule from the crowd.
The stark contrast between his performance against the young fan and the adult only intensified the backlash.
Despite the uproar, James seemed unfazed, even sharing a clip of his saves on social media without acknowledging the disappointment he had caused.
This prompted some fans to compare the incident to Michael Owen's notorious antics on 'Soccer Skills,' where he would score against young goalkeepers, further highlighting the mixed feelings surrounding James's actions.
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While Liverpool celebrated their victory and retained their top spot in the Premier League, James’s moment of glory quickly transformed into a lesson in humility for both him and the young fan.
The incident serves as a reminder that sometimes, the spirit of the game transcends the scoreline, and it's the joy of the experience that truly matters.