Gary McAllister was named man of the match in during Liverpool’s 2001 Uefa Cup triumph, but he has revealed his abiding memory of the game was the appearance of a giant sex toy on the pitch.

The final at Borussia Dortmund’s Westfalenstadion home against Spanish side Alaves was one of the most dramatic in the club’s history.

Markus Babbel, Steven Gerrard and McAllister gave Liverpool at 3-1 lead after only 40 minutes – Babbel’s goal coming after only three minutes – but two goals in three minutes by Javi Moreno set up a frantic finish.

Robbie Fowler’s 72nd minute goal looked like it had won the trophy for the Reds, only for former Manchester United man Jordi Cruyff, son of Dutch legend Johan, to take the game to extra time in the 88th minute.

A 116th minute own goal won it for Liverpool and Gerard Houllier with McAllister receiving the man of the match trophy from Johan Cruyff after the game.

It was Liverpool’s third trophy of the season, after winning the League Cup and FA Cup, but the night stood out for a different reason for the Scot.

He told FourFourTwo: "I scored, had a hand in the winner and was given the man of the match award by one of my heroes, Johan Cruyff, but what I remember most about that night was the huge sex toy that landed on the pitch!

McAllister scored from the penalty spot in the win (Getty)

"I was taking a corner in the second half, Robbie Fowler was warming up next to me in front of our supporters, and suddenly there was a thud.

"Robbie and I both looked at it and I said: 'Is that a…?' 'Yes, Gary,' Robbie said. 'That is a sex toy.'

"Nonchalantly, Robbie walked over to it, flicked it up with his right foot and volleyed it back into the crowd with his left.