Jurgen Klopp and Erik ten Hag have called on supporters from both Liverpool and Manchester United to refrain from tragedy chanting ahead of Sunday’s clash between the two clubs.
Greater Manchester Police made eight arrests in the aftermath of United’s 4-3 win in the FA Cup last month, with many in the home end singing about Hillsborough and Heysel. A Liverpool fan was also filmed doing plane gestures in reference to the Munich Air Disaster.
But Klopp has now asked fans of both clubs to enjoy the match without any tragedy chanting, which was recently made a public order offence. ‘I just see it this way, that two of the biggest clubs in the world, let’s just show a bit of class in these moments,’ said the German.
‘So don’t sing this or that, just show class, have a fight on the pitch, let’s just play football, if you want to be happy, if you lose, whatever but besides all of that just show a bit of class, that would be my wish really for all of us.’
Both clubs have come together in recent weeks to educate young children on the matter, with former players Wes Brown and Phil Thompson attending an event in Huyton which brought together school pupils from Manchester and Liverpool.
‘It is super important, there are different aspects but one aspect is that I don’t hear it, honestly, when I am on the sideline,’ added Klopp. ‘But I get told it happens and that is obviously not great.
‘But in general it is just helpful that we educate our kids in specific things: respect, understanding, all these kinds of things.’
Last month, the United and Liverpool foundations teamed up to launch an education programme in partnership with the Premier League aimed at eradicating the issue for good, and Ten Hag issued his own plea ahead of Sunday’s game.
‘The atmosphere our fans generated was incredible that afternoon, and if we can produce the same noise levels around Old Trafford then we have already seen what a positive force it can be and the impact that it has on the players,’ said the United boss.
‘As such, it is part of my duty to remind every supporter fortunate enough to be at the game that it must be enjoyed in the proper way, and not used as an excuse for abusing rival fans about Hillsborough, Heysel or any other historic tragedies.
‘This is one of the truly great rivalries in world sport, for so many of the right reasons, and it is our responsibility to keep it that way. Whether the clubs meet at Old Trafford or Anfield, all supporters must focus entirely on backing their team and both Jurgen and I trust that we can count on that happening.’
Liverpool are hoping to have midfielder Wataru Endo back in the team when they travel to Old Trafford for the second time in a month. The Reds also gave run-outs to returning players Curtis Jones and Andy Robertson in Thursday’s win over Sheffield United.
Klopp added that he will not miss playing at Old Trafford. ‘Will I miss these games? No, I had them often enough,’ he said. ‘What a manager I would be if I said I’ll miss the United games or the City games and all the others I don’t! No.
‘I will probably miss all of them but we will see how I deal with missing football.’
