Liverpool vs Manchester United: Before two of the most famous and oldest rivals of the Premier League met each other on Sunday, coaches of both sides came together to provide one single message. Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp and Manche6 United’s Erik Ten Hag echoed each other’s message to the fans to end tragedy chanting. They requested fans to create an atmosphere of healthy rivalry at Anfield Stadium.
Liverpool vs Manchester United: Rivals UNITE, Jurgen Klopp & Erik Ten Hag issue joint statement, urging fans to end ‘tragedy chanting’, after fans abuse over Munich, Hillsborough tragedies, Check OUT
Both Liverpool and United have gone through more than their fair share of tragedies. While fans can make the stadium atmosphere beautiful, many can also make it toxic by mocking their opponents by referring to such tragedies. Liverpool fans have previously used the Dambusters theme to bring up the Munich disaster that struck Manchester United back in 1958 when a plane crash resulted in 8 United players losing their lives. Whereas, United fans chant, “Always the victims, never your fault!” in retaliation to the chants referring to the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 which was a human crush incident that took away 97 lives including many Liverpool fans.
Liverpool vs Manchester United: Rivals UNITE, Jurgen Klopp & Erik Ten Hag issue joint statement, urging fans to end ‘tragedy chanting’, after fans abuse over Munich, Hillsborough tragedies, Check OUT
Liverpool fans have put a banner mocking the Munich Air Disaster outside Anfield 🤮 pic.twitter.com/jYH0dfYa7l
— UtdChronicle (@UtdChronicle) March 5, 2023
Before the two Premier League giants met each other, both coaches appealed to the fans to end these chants. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp relayed the message, “One of the main reasons why the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United is so special is that it is so intense and no-one should ever want to change this. But at the same time, when the rivalry becomes too intense it can go to places that are not good for anyone and we do not need this.”
He added, “We do want the noise; we do want the occasion to be partisan and we do want the atmosphere to be electric. What we do not want is anything that goes beyond this and this applies especially to the kind of chants that have no place in football. If we can keep the passion and lose the poison, it will be so much better for everyone.”
Manchester United coach Erik Ten Hag echoed, “The rivalry between Manchester United and Liverpool is one of the greatest in world football. We all love the passion of the fans when our teams meet, but there are lines that should not be crossed. It is unacceptable to use the loss of life — in relation to any tragedy — to score points, and it is time for it to stop. Those responsible tarnish not only the reputation of our clubs but also, importantly, the reputation of themselves, the fans, and our great cities.”
He added, “On behalf of myself, our players, and our staff, we ask our fans to focus on supporting the team on Sunday and representing our club in the right way. Together, Liverpool and Manchester United want to show the special and positive side of this wonderful rivalry between two great football clubs with proud but, at times, tragic histories.”
Liverpool vs Manchester United: Rivals UNITE, Jurgen Klopp & Erik Ten Hag issue joint statement, urging fans to end ‘tragedy chanting’, after fans abuse over Munich, Hillsborough tragedies, Check OUT
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