'It's what youngsters dream of and I got to do it'

There was no better scene for a 21-year-old local lad on October 30, 2001. Anfield, Champions League, under the floodlights, up against elite opposition and with a free-kick from an inviting position in front of the Kop.

It appeared to be fate for the defender, who had discussed how he'd react to scoring for Liverpool in the week of the game with a group of friends.

In the 81st minute of the group-stage clash, Wright achieved what everyone associated with the club desires to do by scoring at the Kop end. Pandemonium ensued seconds after Anfield erupted and for the following 48 hours.

"I don't think I slept for a day or two afterwards," the 36-year-old told Liverpoolfc.com.

"As soon as I'd scored, I think I slipped over and I'm trying to head for the Kop just to jump in it but Robbie Fowler and Stevie Gerrard jumped all over me and I just couldn't move.

"Because I was getting games in the first team, my mates were asking what I would do if I scored and one of the things I said was jumping in the Kop. It was what youngsters dream of and I got to do it."

It's a night that he'll remember for the rest of his life, but one that so easily could have not occurred for the Academy graduate.

Having been sent off three days before the Dortmund game - away at Charlton Athletic for picking up two yellow cards - Wright was unsure whether he would be in the squad for the European affair that could secure Liverpool's place in the next stage of the competition.

However, temporary manager Phil Thompson kept faith in the Scouser and started him for the Anfield occasion.

"That's the highs and lows of football," he added. "From being so low at Charlton, I didn't know whether I was going to play or not.

"I can remember the tackles [at Charlton] - me being me trying to win the ball when I can't win the ball - and then just having my first telling-off from the coaching staff and looking at all the lads."

Thompson's loyalty was rewarded when Wright made it 2-0 against Matthias Sammer's side to virtually secure top spot in the group.

Having taken the lead early on through Vladimir Smicer, the Reds needed an important second goal to kill the contest.

But just before a tense ending was set to take place, Patrik Berger stood over a set-piece on the right hand side and, with every Dortmund player back to defend, Wright went up for the impending free-kick and followed his instincts.

"No-one picked me up or was marking me," he recalled. "I just thought most crosses go near post and I'm thinking 'I'll just try to get near post' and ghosted in. The next minute I'm scoring a goal.

"It was strange. It was almost as if it was set up for me to score on that night in the way it happened.

"Everyone was delighted for me - a young homegrown lad scoring his first goal in the Champions League.

"My dad was the kitman at the time [so] he was absolutely delighted at the time too."

In what may come as a shock, Wright revealed he isn't in possession of a tape of the goal, not that he feels he needs one anyway.

While he's not able replay the goal in physical form, Wright can relive the moment in accurate detail in his head just the second someone mentions it in conversation.

He added: "As soon as people say it, I can remember. There's different pictures. I get sent different shots of different angles where people have took a picture.

"It's still in your head. It will always be in your head that moment - Jens Lehmann just in the goal, thinking 'it's coming towards me this...'."