Jason McAteer was on the losing side against Liverpool in the 1995 League Cup final but still passed his audition... as well as getting his hands on the trophy
A former Liverpool player, who was once on the losing side against the Reds in the League Cup final, recalled how Wembley's presence helped him secure his dream at Anfield.
Jason McAteer plays Roy Evans for Bolton Wanderers in the 1995 Coca-Cola Cup Final.
The match, which Liverpool won 2–1 thanks to two goals from Steve McMann, was billed as a job interview for McAteer, as he enjoyed a successful spell with the Wanderers under Bruce Rioch. Was.
And despite his apparent disappointment at losing that day, the Birkenhead-born midfielder's relationship with the Reds had already grown to such an extent that he was even allowed to keep the trophy after the match.
Speaking exclusively to ECHO on behalf of LV BET, McAteer recalled: “I was terrified. I wanted a lot of tickets, I remember. They were billing me as a test to impress Roy Evans and get him to sign me, so obviously that was hanging over my head as well. But this was my first taste of Old Wembley, so it was like another dream come true for me.
"I thought we (Bolton) gave a good account of ourselves that day. I played well Enough to sign for Liverpool. I did a lot.
"It ended 2-1. There was disappointment at the end of the game, but I was friends with Phil Babb who had signed for Liverpool, and Jamie (Redknapp), Macka (McMcman) and Robbie (Fowler), whom I had Knew from going out of town and playing in reserve team games.
“I had a good conversation with him at the end of the game. He let me put my hand on the cup. I remember raising it for the Liverpool fans. A cheeky lift to my Bolton shirt! Which was a nice touch to be honest.
“I was obviously filled with sadness – this is not a place to lose – but I look back with love. It was my first taste of Wembley and was part of the Bolton side that worked out very well.”
McAteer's disappointment at the loss in the final did not last long. Bolton returned to Wembley a month later and gained promotion to the Premier League after a dramatic extra-time victory in the First Division play-off final.
And less than a month into the new season, his dream Anfield move was about to be realized, although the switch turned out to be more complicated than originally envisioned and he almost ended up elsewhere.
McAteer, speaking ahead of Liverpool's Carabao Cup final with Chelsea today, said: "It was a crazy few months. We lost the cup final but in terms of confidence it definitely lifted the club and we went on really good runs And managed to make the play-offs. We went back to Wembley in May and played Reading in one of the greatest play-off games of all time. Finished 4-3.
“We achieved Premier League status, which really changed the outlook of everything, because Bruce Reich left and went to Arsenal. Roy McFarland took over with Colin Todd and basically left and joined someone in the Premier League. The conclusion that I had about being told was that I was not available to leave and that I was living in Bolton.
"It obviously left a slightly sour taste in my mouth, actually.
“But I played about five or six games for Bolton at the start of the new Premier League season and every game it was about me and Alan Stubbs, we were going and who were we going to go to.
“We were linked to Tottenham and Arsenal. Bruce was trying his best to get us to Arsenal, but it was Blackburn who ultimately triggered a £9m transfer fee for me and Stubbsey. It was for Bolton to be overlooked. There was too much money.
"We ended up having a conversation with Kenny (Dalglish) at Blackburn, which was great for me because Kenny was my hero, but not so great in the sense that it wasn't really the club I wanted to go to.
"It prompted Liverpool to do something, so they put in a £4.5 million bid in the meeting with Kenny and I was told about it.
"I had the opportunity to go and meet with Liverpool and that's when I decided to join them that night.
"Kenny was honestly not very happy."
Fast forward 27 years and Liverpool are preparing to face Chelsea in another League Cup final.
A win from Jurgen Klopp would give the Reds a record ninth success in the competition, having also finished runners-up on four occasions.
Like their two Premier League appearances this season, McAteer is hoping for another close match between the finalists, but believes the Cup will return to Anfield.
He said: "The two league games have been great. Both teams have been at it and I've definitely enjoyed watching them. Obviously we spend each other's points with two draws.
"Liverpool would be disappointed with the last game at Bridge when they were 2-0 up but there was something special to bring Chelsea back in the match. (Mateo) Kovacic's volley was out of the top drawer, right?
"And accepting just before half-time was disappointing from Liverpool's point of view but as a neutral it was fantastic to watch. I don't think the cup final will be any different. I think both the teams will play each other.
"Obviously you don't know who's going to play, mostly from a Chelsea perspective. I think Liverpool will be extremely strong, the team picks itself.