Six Liverpool players have been forbidden by Jurgen Klopp from touching the recognizable “This Is Anfield” sign before to games.
Since Bill Shankly put the ‘This Is Anfield’ sign for the first time about 50 years ago, it has become an iconic symbol of European football.
The declaration was based on one of Shankly’s most well-known sayings: “It’s there to remind our lads who they’re playing for and to remind the opposition who they’re playing against!”
Despite being replaced three times over the years, the sign has maintained its historic significance up to this point.
It has seen Liverpool win 19 league titles, the sixth European Cup, the ninth league cup, the eighth FA Cup, the fourth Super Cup, and the first Club World Cup in just the past ten years.
As they enter the pitch, the current generation of players touch the sign ritualistically.
Six players have not yet earned the right to do so, though, as things stand.
When Klopp took over at Liverpool in 2016, he stated: “I’ve advised my players not to touch the ‘This Is Anfield’ sign until they win something!
“It’s a respectable gesture. When I managed Borussia Dortmund, I tried it, but we fell short 4-0.
Summer signings Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch are all prohibited from touching the sign should the restriction still be implemented.
Cody Gakpo, who joined the Reds in January, and youngster Stefan Bajcetic are both prohibited from touching the tunnel sign due to the fact that the Reds failed to win any trophies last season.
