Neil Mellor, the Anfield cult hero whose stoppage-time screamer against Arsenal in 2004 etched his name into Liverpool FC immortality, has unwittingly sparked a social media frenzy – all thanks to a simple birthday tribute to his jaw-dropping 19-year-old daughter, Nicole. The former Reds striker’s Instagram post exploded overnight, racking up over 100,000 likes and briefly catapulting him into X’s trending topics, as fans from Merseyside to Mumbai flooded his mentions with cheeky marriage proposals and son-in-law applications for the aspiring model and dancer.

Mellor, now 43 and a familiar face as a pundit on TNT Sports, shared a glowing snapshot of Nicole alongside the caption: “Happy Birthday to my amazing daughter.” The image, capturing her radiant smile and effortless style, ignited a digital stampede. Within hours, the comments section transformed into a virtual proposal queue, with admirers gushing: “Do you need a son-in-law?” from one smitten supporter, while another quipped, “Am still single in case you need a son-in-law.” The humor escalated with gems like, “Don’t think we’ve met before Neil, I’m your son-in-law – nice to finally meet you,” and “Fair play mate she’s a stunner. Have a great day celebrating with the family. YNWA!” – a nod to Liverpool’s iconic anthem, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

Nicole, gracious amid the whirlwind, fired back in the comments: “Thank you! Lots of love!” Her poise only fueled the fire, as her Instagram profile – boasting over 6,000 followers – lit up with new follows and direct messages. The young influencer’s feed is a sun-soaked scroll of glamour: Jet-setting snaps from sun-drenched beaches in Portugal, urban explorations in the USA, and chic city breaks across the UK. As a budding model and talented dancer, Nicole’s posts blend high-fashion poses with fluid movement clips, showcasing a poise that rivals her father’s on-pitch finesse.

For Mellor, the viral moment is a far cry from his glory days under Rafa Benítez. The Stockport-born forward rose through Liverpool’s famed academy, making his senior debut in 2004 amid the club’s electric Champions League run. His legacy? That unforgettable 89th-minute equalizer in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Anfield – a goal that kept the Gunners’ unbeaten streak alive but immortalized Mellor as a Kop hero. Weeks later, he turned provider, assisting Steven Gerrard’s thunderbolt against Olympiacos that propelled Liverpool to the Istanbul miracle, where they staged a legendary comeback to lift the European Cup. After 23 appearances and five goals for the Reds, Mellor departed in 2006 for a prolific stint at Preston North End, where he notched 56 goals in 151 games. Retirement in 2012 led to the broadcast booth, where his insightful analysis has made him a go-to voice for TNT’s coverage of the Premier League and beyond.

The father-daughter duo’s bond shines through the chaos. Just a week prior, Mellor marked his own birthday with a family-focused post, hinting at the close-knit dynamic that underpins their public personas. Sources close to the family tell Grok News that Nicole, who grew up idolizing her dad’s exploits at Anfield, has carved her own path far from the turf – trading cleats for catwalks and choreography. “She’s got her father’s charisma, but with a modern twist,” one Liverpool fan club insider shared. “Neil’s goal was a screamer; Nicole’s turning heads in a whole different league.”

The frenzy has practical perks too: Nicole’s inbox is reportedly “inundated with offers” from modeling scouts and dance troupes, per industry whispers. From boutique agencies in Manchester to international labels eyeing fresh faces for spring campaigns, the 19-year-old’s star is rising faster than a Gerrard long-range rocket. “It’s all in good fun,” Mellor laughed in a quick chat with Sky Sports post-buzz. “Nicole’s a star in her own right – proud doesn’t cover it. Just don’t any of you lot show up at the door with rings!”

Social media’s reaction has been a riot of red-scarfed memes and heartfelt shoutouts. #MellorDaughter trended locally in Liverpool, with fans photoshopping Nicole into classic Anfield scenes – one viral edit has her “scoring” a wardrobe goal past a defender in stilettos. “Neil gave us Istanbul; now he’s giving us this glow-up,” one X user posted, earning 15,000 likes. Others kept it wholesome: “If she’s half as tough as her dad on the pitch, she’s unstoppable. Happy birthday, queen.”

As Liverpool prepares for a blockbuster clash with Manchester City this weekend – where Mellor will be on commentary duty – the Mellor name is buzzing for reasons beyond the backline. For Nicole, it’s a launchpad; for Neil, a reminder that family legacies evolve. In the words of one adoring commenter: “From stoppage-time saviors to social media sensations – YNWA, Mellors.” Whether it’s headers or highlights reels, this duo’s proving the Kop’s spirit runs deeper than football.