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He was the Liverpool supporter whose tears were beamed around the world as an apparent reflection of the heartache Reds fans were feeling at missing out on the Premier League title.

The truth, though, is something far more painful than merely finishing second in the table.

As Jurgen Klopp's side fell agonisingly short in their quest for a first championship in 30 years, the Sky Sports cameras panned the Anfield crowd before spotting one fan who seemed somewhat upset.

At one stage, he was even spotted wiping a tear away as Liverpool's 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on the final day was rendered meaningless by Manchester City romping to a 4-1 triumph at Brighton and Hove Albion.

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Tony Laird, a 45-year-old season ticket holder originally from Fazakerley but now living in York, was the supporter in question.

But he reveals things weren't quite as they seemed.

“I was playing in a six-a-side game in January when I fell into the inside of my leg and snapped my tendon and two of the ligaments,” says Tony.

“I needed some major surgery, which I had in March, and was then told I had to have six weeks not putting any weight on it then six weeks on crutches.

“I rang Liverpool, explained the situation and, having missed the Tottenham and Chelsea games, said I didn't want to miss the Huddersfield and Wolves games as we were going for the title and I wanted to be there.

“The club sorted it so I was moved from my normal seat to the second row of the Kop against Wolves, complete with crutches and an aircast boot.”

That, then, is where the cameras spotted Tony, whose grimace and less than comfortable post-surgery demeanour was exactly what television wanted. The heartache of Liverpool fans, the pain of Anfield, all wrapped up in a single image.

“I know some people won't believe it, but I'd also had a bit of eye infection and was taking eye drops for three days,” says Tony.

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“When you see the videos, I'm not crying. I'm rubbing my eyes! I was crying my eyes out after the Barcelona game, though, because I was so proud!

“After the Wolves game, I turned my phone back on walking out of the ground towards the Arkles and I had 58 messages and 15 missed calls. I was worried at first – I thought something had happened.

“But then as I'm opening the messages I have all these screenshots and videos of me captured on Sky Sports. Later that night I was on Sky Sports review of the season and then on BBC News the following morning.

“Loads of people I knew were taking selfies with me in the background.

“I had a bit of a chuckle. My wife's family are all Manchester United fans so they thought it was hilarious, while my potential brother-in-law is a City fan and he thought it was funny.

“But suddenly my face started appearing on social media again and there was a picture of me was on a United website. It had gone viral.

“Then I started getting some distasteful messages, so I chose to drop Sky Sports an email saying the least you can do after all this is sort me for a ticket for the Champions League final!”

Despite having had held a season ticket for more than 30 years, Tony is one of only two among his group of friends not to gain a ticket in the Champions League final ballot.

He still holds out hope. But if not, then Tony won't be reaching for the tissues.

“I just want to tell everyone how proud I am of Liverpool and the season we have had,” he says. “There was nothing to cry about at the end!”