With Al Nasr taking part in a friendly match against Hamburg at the Al-Maktoum Stadium on January 9, it is not the first time the venue has witnessed European sides play on its turf.

One such outfit to visit was the great Liverpool team of 1978, when Bob Paisley’s men were European Champions. In fact, the Al-Maktoum was opened in this historic manner on Friday, 26 May, 1978.

Seeing a world-class team like Liverpool play against their own team was a great and unique sight for the Dubai crowd.

A few Parachute landings, helicopters, police marches and camels were followed by speeches and prayers as the stadium was declared open.

On the night, the Kop kings won the fixture by an emphatic margin. It ended 5-0 after Colin Irwin scored a brace, Ray Kennedy also grabbed two and even centre-back Alan Hansen scored one.

Against Hamburg though, this new Al Nasr side might not let the game become so one-sided hopefully.

WATCH LIVERPOOL WIN THE EUROPEAN CUP IN 1978: