League Cup Final: Will Liverpool Fans Boo the National Anthem Again?
Liverpool is set to compete against Newcastle United in today’s League Cup final at Wembley, aiming to defend their title. However, there’s anticipation surrounding whether Liverpool supporters will once again boo the national anthem, mirroring their actions from last year’s final.
While Arne Slot’s Liverpool team are dominating the Premier League and appear on track to secure the title with a significant lead, their pursuit of a Treble or Quadruple has been derailed. They were surprisingly knocked out of the FA Cup by Plymouth Argyle and exited the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain after a penalty shootout defeat.
Despite these setbacks, the Reds are focused on clinching their first trophy under new manager Arne Slot, who succeeded Jurgen Klopp. Last year, Liverpool triumphed over Chelsea in the League Cup final with a late goal from Virgil van Dijk. Now, they face Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United, a team eager to end their own long trophy drought spanning approximately 70 years.
Liverpool fans have previously booed the national anthem. (Image: Getty)
Why Do Liverpool Fans Boo the National Anthem?
During the pre-match ceremony at last year’s final against Chelsea, Liverpool fans loudly booed “God Save the King” as players and managers stood on the pitch. This act, while noticed last year, is not an isolated incident and could very well be repeated in today’s highly anticipated Wembley final.
The booing is generally understood to be less about animosity towards the Royal Family itself and more an expression of deep-seated anti-establishment sentiment. This feeling is rooted in several historical and socio-political factors:
- Critique of the Establishment: It’s seen as a protest against the broader establishment, particularly stemming from the Conservative government’s policies in the 1980s and their perceived mismanagement of Liverpool.
- Hillsborough Disaster: The failings and injustices surrounding the Hillsborough disaster, where 97 Liverpool fans tragically lost their lives, remain a significant point of anger and distrust towards the establishment.
- Socialism and City Identity: Liverpool has a strong tradition of socialism, and for many fans, the national anthem and the Royal Family are symbols of an establishment they feel disconnected from and which doesn’t represent their values or experiences.
Journalists at The Athletic have previously delved into this issue. Caoimhe O’Neill clarified that the booing is “an anti-establishment protest” deeply ingrained in the city’s identity and history. It’s seen as a “movement and a protest,” not necessarily a personal attack on the monarch or royal family. This perspective was echoed by James Pearce, also of The Athletic, who highlighted a feeling of disconnect from national patriotism and the perception that the establishment has historically “treated [Liverpool] so badly.”
Pearce added, “There’s a feeling that those people don’t represent them. It’s just a world away from some guy having a crown put on his head in London. What relevance has that got to the lives of people in this city? Especially people who have been treated so badly by the establishment for so long.”
As Liverpool prepares to battle Newcastle for the League Cup trophy, the atmosphere at Wembley will be charged with sporting rivalry and potentially, the sound of dissenting voices during the national anthem. Whether the booing occurs again remains to be seen, but the reasons behind it reflect a complex relationship between Liverpool, its fans, and the British establishment.
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