18 hours Ago By Tony Mogan
David James was viciously booed by the Anfield crowd on Sunday after twice saving a penalty from a young boy during a charity penalty shoot-out event. At half-time during the Premier League clash between Liverpool and Chelsea , James was back between the sticks at his former club to promote Standard Chartered’s community programme ‘Future makers’. In front of the home supporters, a young fan dressed in Liverpool colours stepped up and struck for the bottom corner.
The former England international played spoilsport, however, leaping down to his right to make the save. The same young fan was handed the ball for a second time and stepped up for another effort, with James again making the save to deny him a dream goal in front of The Kop. Goalkeepers typically give fans an easy ride from 12 yards on such occasions but James, who won over 50 caps for England, seemingly did not get the memo.
Even more galling, images show the 54-year-old playfully diving the wrong way after an effort from an adult male fan which hit the back of the net. While some saw the funny side on social media, suggesting ‘the kid should have tried harder’, James was booed by Liverpool supporters in attendance. Guardian journalist Sachin Nakrani described the youngster as being ‘absolutely gutted’ with James ‘not giving a s**t about his feelings or the boos’.
More Trending Thomas Frank praises Man Utd star who 'ran the show' against Brentford Brighton issue Danny Welbeck injury update after Newcastle United win Enzo Maresca names Chelsea duo who made him 'afraid' in defeat to Liverpool What Declan Rice told referee after Arsenal's defeat to Bournemouth One fan wrote on X: ‘As an ex-pro keeper you should’ve made sure you didn’t save that 2nd pen and allowed that young lad to score a penalty in front of the Kop. Would’ve been a fantastic memory for him.’ Another labelled James a ‘d*****d for his behaviour, writing: ‘He will never get that chance again.
Thought was p**s poor you found it funny aswell tbh.’ Sunday’s scenes drew comparisons with the infamous clip from ‘Michael Owen’s Soccer Skills’ , the 1999 TV show where the England and Liverpool striker remorselessly plundered goal after goal with 13-year-old goalkeeper Jamie Hutchinson left to fish the ball out of the back of the net. Owen celebrated every goal, laughing as he fired home each shot, prompting Neville Southall, who was instructing the young goalkeeper, to mutter the immortal words ‘well done, he’s 13’.
MORE : Worrying cracks have appeared in Arsenal defence as Champions League football returns MORE : Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘personal conversation’ with Francis Ngannou revealed after MMA return MORE : Thomas Partey says someone in Arsenal squad must ‘step up’ against Liverpool Chelsea news, exclusives and analysis.
