Liverpool fans boo national anthem before kick off
The anthem was played before kick off to mark the coronation of King Charles III
Liverpool FC fans have booed the national anthem ahead of their game against Brentford today.
With the coronation of King Charles III taking place earlier today, clubs playing across the weekend have been advised to play God Save the King prior to kick off - although the move is not compulsory.
Earlier this week, Liverpool FC announced it would be playing the national anthem - despite the fact the anthem has been booed by fans in the past.
In a statement, Liverpool said: “Just over a week ago, the Premier League contacted all home clubs and strongly suggested to mark this historic occasion across home matches this weekend and provided a list of activity for clubs to get involved in.
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“Before kick off, players and officials will congregate around the center circle when the national anthem will be played. It is, of course, a personal choice how those at Anfield on Saturday mark this occasion and we know some supporters have strong views on it.”
When asked for his opinion on playing the song before the match, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted that he didn’t ‘really have a proper opinion’ on it.
Speaking at a pre-match conference yesterday (Friday 5 May), Klopp said: “This is definitely a subject I cannot really have a proper opinion about because I am from Germany. We don't have a King or a Queen. I have no experience with that.
“Watching from the outside it’s a nice thing to watch when all the weddings are massive things in Germany but it’s like watching a movie because we don’t feel that.
“I’m pretty sure a lot of people in this country will enjoy the coronation but others will not be interested and some will not like it.
“I think that’s all I can say, and the rest my position is the club’s position.”
Liverpool fans booed the national anthem - God Save the Queen as it was then - ahead of the FA Cup final last year and again before the Community Shield in July.
Liverpool fans’ booing the national anthem became widespread in the 1980s as a form of protest against Margaret Thatcher’s Tory government ‘managed decline’ of the city.
Following the government’s failings over the Hillsborough disaster, in which 97 Liverpool fans tragically died, led to further resentment towards the establishment.
While in more recent years, many people across the city still feel let down by the government and the inequality seen in the UK.
The feelings of anger and abandonment from the government has led to fans waving banners stating ‘Scouse not English’ at Anfield.
Topics: Football, Sport, UK News, Coronation
Claire Reid