JASON McAteer made a stunning admission on the 20th anniversary of Wanderers’ Wembley defeat against Liverpool.

Two decades after Bruce Rioch’s super Whites were beaten under the old Twin Towers by two Steve McManaman goals, the former Republic of Ireland international revealed he also got his hands on the trophy.

Speaking with McManaman for Liverpool TV, McAteer – who joined the Merseysiders just a few months later for £4.5million – recalled nearly getting in hot water with the Bolton supporters.

“I think what I always remember from that game at the end was when I was on my own clapping the Bolton fans, you [McManaman] came over to me with the cup and I remember you saying, 'Don't worry, you'll come to Liverpool' and you gave me the cup,” he said.

“I managed to get my hands on it and lifted it up to the Liverpool fans celebrating, then I quickly handed it back. Afterwards I thought, 'Oh no, I'm going to get in trouble!’

First Division Wanderers were heavy underdogs on the day but held Roy Evans’ Premier League side until midway through the first half when McManaman scored the first of his brace.

Alan Thompson pulled one back late in the second half to cause a few nerves – but while better was to come at Wembley a few weeks later in the play-off final, McAteer recalls the nerves he felt at facing his hometown club.

"I was getting a bit nervous because it was Liverpool and I was having a few phone calls from them at the time asking about my position, what was going on and if I fancied coming to Liverpool, which made me laugh!” he said.

“So I actually felt like this game was a trial, more than anything, it kind of surpassed the fact we were at Wembley in a major cup final. I felt more pressure at it being 'a trial' and it actually being against Liverpool, coming up against Phil [Babb], Jamie [Redknapp], Steve [McManaman] and Robbie. It was a really nervous affair for me and I'd only been to Wembley once before – to watch Liverpool in the 1989 FA Cup final.”