Jurgen and Sean reunited in Anfield

Sean Cox had an emotional reunion with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp before yesterday's Premier League victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield.

Sean was joined in Anfield by his wife Martina and his carer Eustina Maunde.

Dunboyne man Sean suffered life changing injuries in 2018 when he travelled to Anfield for Liverpool’s Champions League semi-final first leg match with AS Roma.

He and his brother Martin were attacked outside the stadium by a group of rival fans dressed in black. Sean suffered a significant head injury and spent a week in Aintree Hospital after having emergency surgery.

Klopp, who announced on 26th January he would leave Liverpool at the end of this season, has been hugely supportive of Mr Cox during his recovery.

Friend of the Cox family Stephen Felle said Sunday’s game was the only date that suited both the Cox family and Klopp and the club were happy to oblige.

“Jürgen’s taken huge personal interest in Sean’s story. When Martina wrote a book a few years ago he launched it with Matt Cooper on The Last Word,” he said.

“He’s been a genuinely interested party in Sean’s story and the club have a standing invitation for the last three or four years.”

The latest invitation for Sean and his family to visit the stadium was extended by club CEO Billy Hogan shortly after Klopp announced he would leave Liverpool.

The Cox family have been welcomed to spectate games from the director’s box on all four occasions he has visited Anfield since the attack and Mr Felle said the club made modifications to facilitate his wheelchair.

“They had to do mechanical work on one of the chairs just outside the director’s box so it can be taken out to allow Sean’s wheelchair to wheel out,” he said.

“They’ve left the removable chair there since. Peter Moore was chief executive when Sean was attacked and he was great for us in terms of the initial fundraising we did.”

Martina, who received a letter from Klopp while her husband was in a coma in Liverpool, has said the manager always makes a point of spending time with Sean during his visits to Anfield.

“(Jürgen) really is a superb human being. For all the success he’s achieved and everything he’s done with Liverpool, his humanity and groundedness is shown time and time again, whether it’s Sean or in other situations,” Mr Felle said.

“He’s just a very decent human being.”