Liverpool fan Sean Cox meets Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson in emotional return to Anfield for Manchester City triumph
Sean Cox returned to Anfield for the first time since an assault left him with serious brain injuries outside the stadium.
Mr Cox had travelled over from Ireland with his brother, Martin, to attend a Champions League semi-final when they were attacked by Roma fans in April 2018.
Simone Mastrelli, 30, pleaded guilty to unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on Cox and was jailed for three and a half years.
The injuries sustained by the 54-year-old left him needing almost 18 months of treatment in the Republic of Ireland, before moving to a specialist neurological facility in Sheffield for a 12-week rehabilitation programme, focusing on developing his speech and movement.
In a pre-match press conference club manager Jurgen Klopp said: “When [the attack] happened, it was the lowest point for me here at LFC. Because it should not happen in life or football games.
“The love Sean and his family have for this club, I hope it has given him strength and power in recovery."
Klopp also mentioned Cox in his programme notes writing: "Sean's story has touched all of us, and although initially the emotions were one of sadness that his life has been so affected purely by coming to support the football team he loves, we now have new feelings when we hear his name mentioned."
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Cox was invited by the club to attend the top of the table clash against Manchester City.
Ahead of the match, his brother, Martin, told talkSPORT he hoped his presence in the crowd could inspire victory.
“I’m sure Anfield will give him a rousing reception," he said, adding the trip was 'another milestone' on his road to recovery.
“And you couldn’t pick a better game – hopefully he’ll bring the luck and inspire the lads to three points.”
Liverpool ended up beating their rivals 3-1 and after the game, Cox met some of the players, as well as Klopp.
In a video released by Liverpool documenting behind-the-scenes action Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez and club captain Jordan Henderson meet Cox in the tunnel after the game before talking to Mohamed Salah in the club’s changing room.
"It is very special for him to be here and I am happy he has seen this performance from the team it is something that he deserves to see," Alexander-Arnold said.