Jurgen Klopp’s Policy: Six Liverpool Stars Restricted from Touching the ‘This Is Anfield’ Sign Before Matches

Before games, Jurgen Klopp has banned six Liverpool players from touching the “This Is Anfield” sign.

Over half a century after Bill Shankly put up the iconic “This Is Anfield” sign, it has become a symbol of reverence for football in Europe.

The statement, “It’s there to remind our lads who they’re playing for and to remind the opposition who they’re playing against,” became one of Shankly’s most famous quotes.

The sign has undergone three changes throughout the years, but it is still regarded as historic.

In front of it, Liverpool has won 19 league crowns, 9 European Cups, 8 League Cups, 8 FA Cups, 4 Super Cups, and 1 Club World Cup in just the last ten years.

The current squad usually touches the sign as they enter the field.

However, as things stand right now, six players have not yet earned that privilege.

Famously, Klopp declared upon joining Liverpool in 2016: “I’ve told my players not to touch the ‘This Is Anfield’ sign until they win something!

It’s an act of deference. While I was manager of Borussia Dortmund, I had some involvement in it, but ultimately, we lost 4-0.

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Signings of free agents Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ryan Gravenberch are in breach of the rule if it is still in effect because they touched the sign.

Stefan Bajcetic, a bright prospect, and Cody Gakpo, who joined the squad in January, are not permitted to touch the tunnel sign because the Reds did not win any championships the previous season.