Liverpool fans jeered God Save The King ahead of their Premier League fixture against Brentford as concerns over the sensitivities around the national anthem at Anfield were justified on Coronation Day.
The club’s statement when they confirmed playing the anthem on the day of Charles III’s crowning had acknowledged supporters would have “strong views” on the subject and left it to “personal choice” on how to mark the occasion.
In the centre of the Kop end of the stadium before kick-off one of the banners of Kenny Dalglish displaying his nickname “The King”. When the PA announcer marked the start of the anthem, fans jeered and chanted “Liverpool”, with the whistles and chanting continuing through the anthem as players stood around the circle.
Boos had been predicted before the fixture, given that fans had jeered the anthem and the “Abide With Me” hymn at the FA Cup final last season. And privately Liverpool felt they were placed in a no-win situation when the Premier League advised them to mark the Coronation.