Liverpool succumb to Premier League request in coronation standoff

Liverpool to play the national anthem at Anfield ahead of the kickoff vs Brentford

According to The Telegraph (Subscription Required), Liverpool have agreed to the Premier League’s request to play the national anthem ‘God Save the King’ ahead of their clash against Brentford at Anfield this weekend.

The national anthem will ring out across Premier League stadiums this weekend as a mark fo respect for King Charles’ coronation. There were debates as to whether the Reds would follow suit or opt against it.

The Reds’ faithful are no fans of the monarchy and have in the past made their feelings on the anthem clear. The moniker ‘Scouse, not English’ is felt in full spirit on Merseyside.

However, the club’s decision makers have decided to toe the line and follow suit. The club does not intend to show any disrespect to the new monarch as the guard changes. It’s fair to say that the decision appears to be an attempt to avoid any unwarranted attention.

The decision is unlikely to find much backing within Anfield. The club is well aware of it and have also informed the Premier League that fans on the night will choose to react to the gesture as they see fit.

Stakeholders, including supporters groups, were supported before the decision was made to play the anthem. The report mentions that opposition was also recorded for the same. To call the club’s approach unanimous would be an understatement.

However, given the impossible situation put on the club by the officials, we can to a degree understand why they chose to flow with the tide. At 73, Charles III is the oldest monarch to ascend the English throne.

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While the Premier League will want uniformity, we cannot help but feel they have scored an own goal here. It will come as a surprise if the rendition of ‘God Save the King’ is not roundly jeered across Anfield. The Premier League cannot pretend to act surprised once the fallout occurs. After all, they will have nobody but themselves to blame.