Smith grateful for Liverpool help after injury

ALAN SMITH will not allow the mindless acts of a few supporters to affect the gratitude he feels towards Liverpool for their compassion and swift action in dealing with his horrific injury.

Manchester United’s Premiership meeting with Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday provides Smith with his first opportunity to express personal thanks for the treatment he received at Anfield last February.

Left in agony as he crumpled trying to charge down a John Arne Riise free-kick, the United striker knows the swift action of Liverpool’s medical staff prevented the damage he suffered being even worse and, for a few minutes at least, bitter north-west rivalries were put on hold as home players rushed to his aid.