Alan Smith has rubbished claims that Liverpool fans attacked the ambulance he was travelling to hospital in following the aftermath of his horror injury during Manchester United 's FA Cup 1-0 defeat to their fierce rivals nine years ago . Smith suffered a broken leg and a dislocated ankle while attempting to block a John Arne Riise free-kick during the fifth round clash at Anfield in February 2006 . At the time of the incident , reports circulated that Liverpool fans tried to disrupt Smith 's journey to hospital by throwing bottles , beer glasses and stones at the ambulance as well as rocking the vehicle . WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT . Alan Smith has denied claims that Liverpool fans attacked the ambulance he was travelling to hospital in during Manchester United 's FA Cup fifth round exit nine years ago . The horror incident occurred after Smith ( second right ) blocked John Arne Riise 's free-kick . Smith suffered a broken leg and a dislocated ankle as a result of the incident at Anfield . But Smith , who made his comeback for United seven months later , insists that was not the case . 'It did n't happen – fans were still in the ground , ' he told FourFourTwo exclusively in the May edition of their magazine . ' I went back to Liverpool a few years later with Newcastle and had a great reception . ' I had loads of mail from fans after the injury , including a lot from Liverpool . And Liverpool 's medical staff were great . They were worried that because there was no blood flowing that I could have had a club foot . 'It was n't Riise 's fault and he came to see me . The dislocated ankle was worse than the leg break because I snapped ligaments and there were complications . ' I knew I was never going to be the same player . I 've appreciated every game I 've played since that injury , I know how close I was to being finished . ' Smith was carried off on a stretcher before he was taken to hospital via an ambulance .
Liverpool beat Manchester United 1-0 in the FA Cup fifth round in 2006 . Alan Smith suffered a broken leg and a dislocated ankle during the game . Reports claimed Liverpool fans attacked the ambulance with Smith in .