Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp believes observing a minute’s silence for the Queen ahead of his side’s clash against Ajax on Tuesday is the ‘right thing to do’.
The Queen passed away at the age of 96 last Thursday, which led to football in the UK being postponed over the weekend, but Liverpool are due to host the Dutch champions at Anfield, and there is expected to be a minute’s silence before kick-off.
Klopp feels this is a suitable way to pay respect to the Queen, but has made it clear that he will not tell Liverpool supporters how they should pay tribute to Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
Jurgen Klopp thinks a minute’s silence for the Queen is the ‘right thing to do’
Liverpool fans booed the national anthem in May, but Klopp expects them to respect the minute’s silence at Anfield on Tuesday
Asked about the minute’s silence at his pre-match press conference, Klopp said: ‘I think it is the right thing to do, but I don’t think our people need any advice from me to show respect.’
His comments come after Liverpool fans chose to boo the God Save the Queen at Wembley before their FA Cup final against Chelsea in May.
Klopp has pointed out that fans at Anfield gave Cristiano Ronaldo a minute’s applause in April after the tragic death of his baby son, despite the Portuguese star playing for one of the club’s biggest rivals, Manchester United.
He admitted he was ‘proud’ of the fans’ reaction to Ronaldo, and feels this gives a good indication that supporters at the stadium will act respectfully during the minute’s silence.
Liverpool fans took part in a minute’s applause for Cristiano Ronaldo earlier this year following the tragic death of his baby son
‘One, which surprised me, and I was really proud of that moment, was last year when we played Manchester United around a very sad situation around Cristiano Ronaldo’s family. For me, it’s clear that’s what we had to do,’ he added.
Klopp went on to pay his own personal tribute to the Queen, hailing her as a ‘warm and loving lady’ before confirming that he would honour the minute’s silence.
He continued: ‘She was a really nice, warm and loving lady. She’s the only Queen of England I’ve ever known. I didn’t know her but she was kind and warm. People feel so close to her and I respect their grief a lot.
‘I will show my respect tomorrow night with silence.’