Minute's silence for Queen is impeccably observed by Liverpool fans

Minute’s silence for the Queen is impeccably observed by Liverpool fans despite them previously booing the national anthem after Hillsborough families told fellow supporters: ‘Respect costs nothing’

• Liverpool made a request to UEFA for the tribute to be held after Queen’s death
• This is at the club’s Champions League game against Ajaz at Anfield tonight
• There is antipathy towards the monarchy in some quarters on Merseyside
• Manager Jurgen Klopp had insisted it was the right thing for the club to do
• Full coverage: Click here to see all our coverage of the Queen’s passing

Liverpool fans have impeccably observed tonight’s minute’s silence held in memory of Queen Elizabeth II at the club’s Champions League game against Ajaz at Anfield, despite the history of anti-royalist sentiment among some supporters, which has included booing the national anthem in the past.

Liverpool made a request to UEFA for the tribute to be held following the late monarch’s death on Thursday at the age of 96, with their manager Jurgen Klopp insisting it was the right thing for the club to do in this momentous period and a Hillsborough Survivors group earier today urging fans to show ‘respect’.

There is antipathy towards the monarchy in some quarters on Merseyside and there was a furore before the FA Cup final in May when Prince William, the new Prince of Wales, was booed by Liverpool fans.

Sections of Liverpool supporters also booed the national anthem, as had been the case before the Carabao Cup final in February, while others sang along at Wembley.

The same occurred prior to the Community Shield victory over Manchester City at Leicester’s King Power Stadium in July, where Prince William was also jeered as he shook the hands of the players.

Liverpool fans have respected tonight’s minute’s silence held in memory of Queen Elizabeth II at the club’s Champions League game against Ajaz at Anfield

Supporters did honour the one minute’s silence in the end. The tribute was held just before the match kicked off at 8pm tonight, with minimal noise or disruption from the crowds

Consequently, all the attention has been on Liverpool fans at Anfield and whether they would show their respects to the longest-reigning monarch in the country’s history.

Supporters did honour the one minute’s silence in the end. The tribute was held just before the match kicked off at 8pm tonight, with minimal noise or disruption from the crowds.

The game against the Dutch team is Liverpool’s first Champions League home match of the 2022/23 season, with pressure already mounting after the club’s defeat against Napoli in Naples last week.

Earlier today, the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance warned Reds supporters that they may have faced increasing abuse over Hillsborough should they have decided to boo the anthem or the minute’s silence in memory of Her Majesty.

The group posted: ‘Everyone attending tonight’s match, please show respect and observe the minutes silence.

‘You probably think that any backlash won’t affect you but it will affect us and family members with the increase in abuse over Hillsborough.

‘Respect costs nothing and that goes both ways.’

There is a history of anti-royalist sentiment among some Liverpool supporters, which has included booing the national anthem

The game against the Dutch team is Liverpool’s first Champions League home match of the 2022/23 season, with pressure already mounting after the club’s defeat against Napoli in Naples last week

Earlier today, Sir Kenny Dalglish, who was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2018, backed the group’s message by also encouraging fans to pay tribute to Her Majesty.

The former boss and club legend quoted the group’s tweet and said: ‘Brilliantly put. I hope everybody at Anfield can respect these wishes tonight.’

Prior to the game, current boss Klopp insisted he had no fears of a repeat from the Liverpool faithful and believed they would show respect, just like they did to Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo last season after the tragic death of his son.

Earlier today, Sir Kenny Dalglish, who was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2018, encouraged Liverpool fans to pay tribute to Her Majesty

‘I don’t think our people need any kind of advice from me for showing respect. There are plenty of examples where people showed exactly the right respect.

‘One which surprised me – and I was really proud of that moment – was last season when we played Manchester United around a very sad situation with Cristiano Ronaldo’s family. And that is what I expect.

‘For me, it is clear that’s what we have to do. That’s it.’

Klopp added: ‘She is the only Queen of England I ever knew. I didn’t know her, but the things you can see, she was a really warm, nice, loved lady and that is all that I need to know.

‘I respect their grief a lot and that is why I will show my respect.’

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