Liverpool fans observed a moment's silence in memory of Queen Elizabeth II ahead of their Champions League fixture against Ajax on Tuesday night.
The Reds took on the Dutch giants in their first outing since the Queen died at Balmoral at the age of 96 last Thursday, following the postponement of the weekend's Premier League fixtures. Liverpool players emerged from the tunnel wearing black armbands "as a mark of respect" for the late monarch, while flags at Anfield were lowered to half-mast.
On Monday, club chiefs also confirmed there would be a "period of silence" directly before kick-off to honour the Queen, just as there was around the country in all English Football League and other Champions League fixtures. Liverpool fans, as well as the travelling Ajax supporters, respectfully observed this tribute, just as Jurgen Klopp and many others urged them to. Isolated members of the home faithful attempted to chant during the early stage of the minute but were quickly hushed as silence descended on Merseyside.
Indeed, most of the supporters spent the period of silence quietly and respectfully, despite the isolated shouts and chants. BT Sport's Darren Fletcher, speaking after the referee brought an end to the tribute, said: "Impeccably observed by many, but not by everyone."
There were concerns the moment's silence dedicated to the Queen would not be observed due to Liverpool fans' history of booing the national anthem. This dates back to the 1980s as a form of protest for Liverpudlians against the policy of "managed decline" Margaret Thatcher was urged to pursue in their city.
Anti-establishment sentiment was amplified by the cover up of the Hillsborough disaster, which occurred in 1989 and led to the deaths of 97 Liverpool fans. In recent years, increases in poverty, inequality and the use of food banks have contributed to the continued booing of the national anthem, which was heard at Wembley Stadium during last season's EFL Cup and FA Cup finals.
Nonetheless, in his pre-match press conference, Klopp urged fans to observe the moment's silence for the Queen because it was "the right thing to do". The Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance (HSSA) echoed this message, claiming a failure to stay silent could contribute to the "increase in abuse over Hillsborough".
How far will Liverpool go in the Champions League this season? Have your say in the comments!
Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish, who managed Liverpool in 1989 and helped survivors come to terms with the Hillsborough disaster, responded to the HSSA's statement, writing on Twitter : "Brilliantly put. I hope everybody at Anfield can respect these wishes tonight."
Another Reds icon, Graeme Souness, took a firmer stance by warning that Liverpool would be "tarnished for a long time to come" if fans failed to observe the monent's silence. Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: "Our Queen has died, show some respect. That woman was such a loyal servant to our country for 70 years. For me, she's been faultless. For any Liverpool supporter to show disrespect at this time would be unacceptable."
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and Liverpool Women captain Niamh Fahey paid tribute to the Queen earlier this week by signing the book of condolence at the city's town hall.
