Little did Liverpool know, but when they emerged from the Westfalenstadion tunnel before the 2001 UEFA Cup final, they were being escorted on to the pitch by two Dortmund stars of the not-so-distant future.
Indeed, Sport Bild have managed to dig up images of Marco Reus and Kevin Grosskreutz, aged 11 and 12 respectively, both serving as mascots for the Reds ahead of the thrilling 5-4 extra-time victory over Alaves.
Zeitreise gefällig? So putzig waren #Großkreutz und #Reus als #Liverpool-Bubis #BVB #LFC https://t.co/TBd8MWnVK3 pic.twitter.com/F57nUoLtUN
- SPORT BILD (@SPORTBILD) April 8, 2016
After being alerted to the photo on Twitter, Grosskreutz (who currently plays for VfB Sttutgart) tagged Reus and exclaimed that the pair had "hardly changed" since their big day out together.
Haben uns kaum verändert oder @woodyinho ??? ��⚽️�� #haareschön @LFC @Alaves pic.twitter.com/h5FuHWkcrz
- Kevin Großkreutz (@fischkreutz_KG) April 8, 2016
How time flies.