Liverpool fans have observed a generally respectful moment’s silence for the Queen ahead of their Champions League match against Ajax at Anfield.
As top-level football returned following the death of Britain’s longest-serving monarch last week, the 53,000-strong crowd stood for a moment of reflection ahead of the Group A fixture.
However, there were isolated boos, shouts and chants of ‘Liverpool, Liverpool’ from a minority of individuals – although the majority quickly shushed them and most supporters spent the period of silence quietly and respectfully. BT Sport’s Darren Fletcher said: ‘Impeccably observed by many, but not by everyone.’
The players wore black armbands for the match with the traditional pre-match Champions League anthem not played. It came after Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said observing the moment’s silence was a suitable way to show respect for the Queen.
Some Liverpool fans chose to boo the national anthem ‘God save the Queen’ when it was played at Wembley before their FA Cup final win over Chelsea back in May.
The same occurred before the Community Shield victory over Manchester City at Leicester’s King Power Stadium in July, when Prince William was jeered as he shook the hands of the players.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday night’s game, Klopp said: ‘I think it is the right thing to do, but I don’t think our people need any advice from me to show respect.’
Klopp went on to pay his own personal tribute to the Queen, hailing her as a ‘warm and loving lady’ before confirming that he would honour the moment’s silence.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died last Thursday aged 96 at her Scottish estate at Balmoral
He continued: ‘She was a really nice, warm and loving lady. She’s the only Queen of England I’ve ever known. I didn’t know her but she was kind and warm. People feel so close to her and I respect their grief a lot.
‘I will show my respect tomorrow night with silence.’
The Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance group tweeted: ‘Everyone attending tonight’s match, please show respect and observe the minute’s silence.
‘You probably think that any backlash won’t affect you but it will affect us and family members with the increase in abuse over Hillsborough. Respect costs nothing and that goes both ways.’
Jurgen Klopp (above) had told Liverpool supporters that a silence was ‘the right thing to do’
Club legend Kenny Dalglish echoed that message, saying: ‘Respect costs nothing and goes both ways. Brilliantly put. I hope everybody at Anfield can respect these wishes tonight. KD.’
Another Anfield hero, Graeme Souness, also warned fans not to disrespect the moment of silent reflection on Tuesday night.
‘I personally would have liked something stronger [from Klopp]. It comes down to you’ve got someone who died, which is extremely sad for the whole nation,’ he told talkSPORT.
‘He’s got to remember, it’s the name of Liverpool Football Club that will be tarnished if anyone misbehaves tonight, if they show any form of protest. Liverpool will be tarnished for a long time to come.
Sir Kenny Dalglish (pictured) had called on Liverpool fans to respect tributes to the Queen
Some Liverpool supporters booed the national anthem at the FA Cup final back in May
Graeme Souness said the reputation of Liverpool will be ‘tarnished’ if they don’t show respect
‘Someone has died, our Queen has died, show some respect. That woman was such a loyal servant to our country for 70 years. She was just a young woman when she came to the throne. For me, she’s been faultless.
‘For any Liverpool supporter, for any football supporter, to show disrespect at this time would be unacceptable. Someone has died.’
It came after Liverpool captains Jordan Henderson and Niamh Fahey signed a book of condolence to honour the Queen, who passed away aged 96 last Thursday.
Henderson, captain of the men’s team, and Fahey, who skippers the women’s side, went to Liverpool Town Hall on Monday where they were welcomed by Lord Mayor Roy Gladden before writing their own tributes.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson signs a book of condolence for Queen Elizabeth II
Niamh Fahey, the captain of the Liverpool women’s team, also left a tribute at the Town Hall
The Reds will see two Premier League fixtures affected by the Queen’s death and the subsequent 10 days of national mourning and her funeral in London on Monday.
They saw their home match against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend postponed as part of the blanket pausing of football.
And this Sunday’s visit to Chelsea has also been called off because of stretched police resources in London because of the Queen’s funeral on Monday.
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