AFC Wimbledon striker Adebayo Akinfenwa has spoken of his pride at playing against the team he supports in Liverpool last night, a game which saw him net, as reported by LiverpoolFC.com.
He also specifically spoke of the level of awe he felt at sharing a pitch with former England captain Steven Gerrard.
The Liverpool captain was dominating in his display last night, scoring a brace and almost single handedly ensuring Liverpool’s progression to the fourth round of the competition.
He is set to move to Major League Soccer at the end of the season, ending his time at Anfield, and ensuring that he doesn’t end his career as a one club man.
Akinfenwa was incredibly keen to acquire Gerrard’s shirt at the end of the game, something he managed.
He also had an impact on the pitch, scoring an equalising goal after poor defending from Liverpool from a set piece.
Akinfenwa was keen to speak about his pride at playing.
He said: “I can’t put it into words – it’s a dream. I’ve been a Liverpool supporter since I was five years old.
“To see the likes of Gerrard and [Martin] Skrtel and the whole of the Liverpool team and to score against them, it was written in the stars and I can’t put it into words.
“We watch these players every Saturday. These are players we look up to and who we aspire to be. Every single one of us are waiting there to get our shirt signed by them.
“When the game was on, they were just players and we wanted to win the game. But after the game, reality kicks in and these are Premier League players. Throughout my career I’ve watched these players.
“So we’ve got the whole team out there – we’re taking pictures and we’re taking selfies. I’m not going to lie – it is what it is. It’s a surreal feeling and something that doesn’t come around much for us. We’ll embrace it today and tomorrow it will be forgotten and we’ll go back to normal life.”
“I got myself a selfie with Mario Balotelli and Brendan Rodgers. The big man, Steven Gerrard, hasn’t come out yet, but if he tries to run, I might have to put him in a headlock so I can get a picture with him.
“I think he threw his first shirt in the changing room, so I was about to grab him, but he told me he had another one in the changing room for me.
“Everybody knew. I put the word out – stay away from Stevie Gerrard’s shirt, because it’s mine. So hopefully he will sign it for me and it will be a good end to the day.”
