Jurgen Klopp believes it makes "no sense" for chants relating to tragedies including Hillsborough to continue as Liverpool prepare to mark the 34th anniversary of the disaster.
The Reds will pay tribute to the 97 fans who died at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest before the Premier League visit of Arsenal this afternoon, the final game at Anfield ahead of the April 15 anniversary of the tragedy.
An increasing number of matches involving Liverpool - including the recent visits to Manchester City and Chelsea - have been marred by chants from opposition supporters referring to tragedies including Hillsborough.
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Both City and Chelsea subsequently released statements condemning the actions of a number of their supporters, while the Premier League declared they were addressing the situation as a priority.
And, writing in the latest official Liverpool matchday programme, Klopp said: “With this being our final home game before April 15, we will use this fixture to pay our respects to those who died at Hillsborough as we always do at this time of year.
“It is always a privilege for the players, staff and myself to do this alongside our supporters, although all of us would prefer for it not to be necessary because even after all these years it still makes no sense that 97 people could go to a football match and not come home.
“It also makes no sense that there are still chants relating to tragedies including Hillsborough. This needs to stop. Not because I say so or the police say so or whoever. It needs to stop because the people who continue to suffer – including families of those who died and survivors – tell us how much these songs hurt them. We should listen to them and act accordingly. There is no room for debate.
“On this and all other matters, the families and survivors have our full support and solidarity.”
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