'My dad told me, always remember Istanbul!'
Liverpool FC's arrival in America for the start of their pre-season tour today brings back some truly wonderful memories for one exiled supporter.
The star of HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, whose sharp and satirical style has earned him flocks of fans stateside, is a lifelong Red.
And with Jürgen Klopp’s current crop touching down on US soil, some precious moments have come flooding back.
In our free video, available at Liverpool FC’s official YouTube page, Oliver details his love for the club.
He recounts an emotional conversation with his father post-Istanbul and explains why he’ll never forget Ronny Rosenthal’s famous miss at Villa Park.
“My family is from Liverpool - both sides,” says Oliver. “My mum’s family are from Knotty Ash and my dad’s family are from Wirral, so supporting Liverpool was very much not a choice.
“That was pointed out to me pretty strenuously at an early age.
“There were other things I could choose in my life, but a team wasn’t one of them! I grew up in Birmingham but I grew up there as a Liverpool fan."
Although he wasn’t present in Istanbul on May 25, 2005, it is a date he will never forget - and he won’t be allowed to either…
He added: “Istanbul was a happy memory. I was in London watching the game and my dad phoned me.
“He was choking back the tears saying, ‘Remember this day son, remember this day!’ He wasn’t wrong and it was incredible."
See more in our YouTube clip below.
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