Liverpool fans may now regret revelling in the struggles of West Ham youngster Ollie Scarles following his heartfelt admission.
It was a day to forget for Academy graduate Ollie Scarles when West Ham lost to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
But with time it could turn out to be one of the most important of his entire career.
West Ham and Liverpool have a rich history of being a production line of top young talent who go on to become stars for club and country.
From Bobby Moore to Sir Trevor Brooking through to the likes of Declan Rice at West Ham and Steven Gerrard to Trent Alexander Arnold at Liverpool.
There is nothing most football fans love more than seeing one of their own out there wearing their badge. But it is extra special for the Hammers and Reds.
Scarles has been riding the crest of a wave since becoming West Ham’s first choice left-back under Graham Potter.
The obvious highlight so far was Scarles’ brilliant performance in the Hammers’ 1-0 win away at Arsenal.
Scarles’ day to forget in West Ham defeat at Liverpool
But the 19-year-old was given a rude awakening by Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah at Anfield.
Potter had warned Scarles and Hammers fans that it won’t always be sweetness and light for the youngster with peaks and troughs inevitable.
The 2-1 defeat to Liverpool was certainly the low point of his fledgling career so far as he was given a torrid time by Salah.
Liverpool’s ‘Egyptian king’, fresh from signing a new contract, spun away from Scarles’ attempt to beat him to the ball near the halfway line before striding forward to set up Luis Diaz for the opener.
Scarles did not crumble by any means, but Liverpool and Salah smelled blood and they continued to subject the youngster to a major lesson.
Liverpool fans were egging their players on to go at Scarles at every opportunity.
Reds fans understandably revelled in Scarles’ struggles given the league title is on the line for their side.
Potter had seen enough just 10 minutes into the second half and brought Scarles off.
The defender looked visibly disheartened by his difficult afternoon as he made his way off the pitch.
West Ham fans tried to console Scarles with chants of ‘He’s one of our own’.
But perhaps it should have been the home crowd singing that.
Liverpool fans will feel terrible for revelling in Scarles’ Salah torment
Because Liverpool fans will feel terrible for revelling in the torment of West Ham star Scarles after his big admission.
And it may help explain an uncharacteristically nervy performance from the previously unfazed Hammer.
The day to forget really should have been one of the best moments of Scarles’ career – because he realised a boyhood dream.
Speaking in the wake of the defeat at Anfield, Scarles has revealed he grew up a massive Liverpool fan obsessed with his idol Gerrard, while in awe of the likes of Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez too.
The youngster explained his Liverpool-mad dad Terry would have it no other way.
And Scarles could not hide his love for the Premier League champions-elect.
Even if he now considers himself a Hammers fan too.
Scarles makes big Liverpool admission
“I grew up as a Liverpool fan, mainly just because of my dad,” Scarles told West Ham’s website.
“My dad’s always been a Liverpool fan as they were doing well when he was growing up, so when I grew up, that was the household team, so I followed suit and was watching them.
“But obviously since joining West Ham, I’ve loved following how we do and obviously now that I play for us, I support West Ham all the way!
“I grew up idolising Steven Gerrard. He was my favourite player as a youngster. He’s the one who sticks out the most to me. I remember me and my brother had this DVD of every goal he’d scored in his career and we used to watch it over and over again as kids! Seeing players like Fernando Torres and Luis Suárez and people like that come through Liverpool, I loved watching them too.”
Scarles revealed his first ever kit was a Liverpool shirt and the first ever match he went to? You guessed it, Liverpool – a Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid when he was just three.
“Dad started me young!” Scarles added.
“I’ve got a pennant from the (2008) game in my room. I can’t remember it, but dad told me Steven Gerrard scored.”
Liverpool low point can be the making of West Ham star
The Hammers faithful consider themselves “proper” football supporters, and rightly so.
So do Liverpool fans who swarmed social media about the behaviour of West Ham fans following the game.
Most live by a code whereby you support your dad’s team or the team where you grew up.
So nobody will begrudge Scarles being a Liverpool fan.
This will undoubtedly bring a smile to the face of Reds everywhere, though, even if some of them may now be regretting enjoying Scarles’ struggles quite as much as they did.
Looking ahead Scarles has received support from a Liverpool player he no doubt looked up to as a youngster.
Classy Jamie Carragher made time to offer Ollie Scarles priceless wisdom after his Salah trauma.
From what West Ham fans have seen of him so far, there are no doubts the whole episode will make him stronger.
And next time Scarles goes to Anfield, he will have added motivation to show just what he can do.
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