Liverpool have confirmed they will play the national anthem ahead of tomorrow’s game against Brentford, but have made the decision reluctantly.
There has been a huge amount of attention for the club since the Premier League contacted its members last week and advised them to mark the coronation by playing God Save the King; there was no directive from the governing body that this was mandatory.
Liverpool considered not doing what other clubs would do and they endured a week where stakeholders made it clear they did not want this; there was also some chanting from supporters about the coronation during Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Fulham.
However, the club were aware that if they did not play God Save the King they would in all likelihood be subject to a nationwide backlash. Therefore, players and officials gather around the center circle for kick-off when the national anthem is played.
What happens then remains to be seen. Many critics assume Liverpool fans will boo or sing, others believe there will be a spontaneous chorus of the club’s anthem.
as it used to be before the cup final.
However, it has not been thought that there will actually be fans in the stadium who want to participate. Liverpool don’t want to be in a position where they despise anyone and so they will go with anyone. Premier League club.
Privately, there is anger within Anfield towards the Premier League. Liverpool had planned the game against Brentford as an opportunity to celebrate the start of Eurovision week in the city and to raise awareness of the event.
Liverpool would also tie their Foundation Day, marking 20 years of charity work in the city. Last season, for example, more than 80,000 children and families in need in the area benefited from his work and the club wanted to shine a light on that.
But it is now that what happens with the national anthem will dominate the broader focus.
Liverpool play God Save the King ahead of their Premier League game against Brentford on Saturday despite fears fans could boo
Sections of Liverpool fans have booed the anthem in the past, although a minute’s silence at Anfield to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II was generally well observed
Premier League clubs have been asked to play God Save the King in honor of King Charles III’s coronation this Saturday
However, the minute’s silence at Anfield following Queen Elizabeth II’s death last year was largely well observed.
Liverpool’s game against Brentford kicks off at 5.30pm on Saturday and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
While the Premier League hasn’t made it mandatory, Liverpool feel it’s a situation where they can’t really win.
They would have been criticized if they didn’t play the national anthem, but also criticized if they did and it’s not respected.
Manager Jurgen Klopp said earlier this week that ‘the club will decide’ whether Liverpool play the national anthem.
Liverpool players observe a minute’s silence following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September last year
Asked if he had an opinion on the subject, Klopp said: “No, that’s a club decision. I’m the German man in the club, so what can I say about that?’
‘That would be really great. If my opinion counts, then it has nothing to do with me.’
Liverpool supporters noticeably belted out the national anthem ahead of the 2022 FA Cup Final at Wembley.
Ahead of July’s Community Shield win over Manchester City at Leicester’s King Power Stadium, Prince William was laughed at as he shook hands with players.
King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort, recently visited Liverpool ahead of EuroVision
In September, a minute’s silence was held at Anfield following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, which was generally well observed.
This weekend’s Premier League fixtures are spread over the three days of the Bank Holiday, five of which are on Saturday, the day of the coronation in London.
Tottenham Hotspur have unveiled a program of events to make it a historic event. They will be showing the ceremony on a big screen in Park Lane Square, outside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, from 11am ahead of their game with Crystal Palace.
Their fixture list will also feature an article on the club’s participation in the Coronation Cup in Glasgow to mark the start of Queen Elizabeth’s reign in 1953.