Liverpool supporters have been critical of the club’s decision to fulfil the Premier League‘s request of marking the King’s Coronation at Anfield ahead of Saturday’s game with Brentford. With the Premier League recommending all clubs to play ‘God Save the King’ ahead of their games this weekend, Liverpool, according to reports, believe they were put in an impossible situation. The likely thinking behind Liverpool’s decision to play the anthem, despite pushback from key stakeholders, is that they will come in for criticism if they don’t. However, many supporters have said that by playing the song, they are deflecting blame onto the fans. ‘You can stick your coronation up your arse’ could be heard loudly from The Kop on Wednesday and the anthem is expected to be widely booed at Anfield on Saturday.
Actor Adam Smith wrote on Twitter: “Absolutely pathetic and spineless from the club. No getting away from it. A demonstration that the club cares more about the Premier League than it does about its own supporters.” This sentiment was echoed by many other fans. Aphex (@Aphex86) wrote: “Yeah I don’t get this. They’ve basically decided to protect themselves rather than us.” Simon Hughes (@Simon_Hughes__) commented: “Nothing excuses it. Weird to jump to that conclusion. And it’s not a directive. Clubs were given the choice and Liverpool have followed. Club is happy to align itself with the fanbase when it suits them. Why not now?”
Tony Evans commented on the situation for the i, writing: “The club had two options. Ignore the coronation or go ahead with the tribute to monarchy. Either route would have brought a tsunami of criticism.” Others would prefer for fans to show their distaste in a silent protest, which would likely result in lesser criticism from nationalist media. However, most have made up their mind as to how they will mark the events at Anfield, with SAM G-W (@OneSGW) writing: “I can’t wait to boo at the game on Saturday! Honestly it’s going to be amazing! Then we follow with “du du da du……F*** The Tories” – other working class fans should be following suit, don’t be such a sheep! They hate you and you love them! ? at least we know the score!”
Daniel Austin (@_Dan_Austin) wrote: “A few years ago I wrote about why it is Liverpool supporters’ prerogative to boo the national anthem. Social history matters. You can’t demand that people who have lived that history sing about their own subservience to a supposedly more worthy being.” Harry’s Bar in the comments wrote: “My great grandfather was supporting the 1911 Liverpool General Transport Strike when he saw Churchill’s gun boats train their guns on the city. F… the Establishment and stick your coronation up your a…” Tim Guttridge on Facebook wrote: “Liverpool supporters pledge allegiance to only our own king! Our king is Kenny!” Joanne Driscoll on Facebook added: “Sing it, but just sing King Kenny instead.”
It is clear that Liverpool supporters are determined to make their voices heard and show their displeasure with the decision to play ‘God Save The King’ at Anfield on Saturday. Whether it is through booing, silent protest or singing about their own ‘king’, Liverpool supporters are ready to make their stance known.