Latest news with #Kopites
The Sun
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Liverpool FC will retire Diogo Jota's No20 out of respect and his song will echo on Kop into eternity
IT'S always a great sadness to lose a football legend, and truly devastating to see one cut down in their prime. Diogo Jota's untimely death is an incomprehensible shock to the global army of Reds fans who worshipped him. 3 We see our heroes as indestructible, and the striker Jota was no exception. He regularly worked miracles. His final goal for Liverpool confirmed his legendary status: a late winner to push his team closer to that 20th league title. At the Kop end. In a Merseyside derby. Goals don't come much bigger than that. Jota the Slotter's crucial strikes earned him the ultimate badge of honour — his own song from adoring Kopites. Even when on the bench, the crowd would bellow it out to the tune of Creedence Clearwater Revival's hit Bad Moon Rising. Barely a month ago, I was among a record 1.5million who saw him and his teammates parade the Premier League trophy through Liverpool on an open-top bus. It turned into a harrowing day when a motorist drove into a crowd, injuring 109. 'Profound loss and shock' - Martin Lipton on death of Liverpool star Diogo Jota dies aged 28 in tragic car crash Two weeks after that day of triumph and horror, Jota lifted the UEFA Nations League trophy with Portugal. And only ten days ago he married his sweetheart Rute, mother of his three young children. Our grief as fans cannot begin to compare with the pain felt by the Jota family, who have lost not only Diogo but his younger brother, Andre. I'm sure the club and its supporters will ensure they never walk alone. Over decades as a Liverpool fan, I've stood many times in silent tribute to Kop legends - from Bill Shankly and Ron Yeats to Gerard Houllier and Ray Kennedy. No crowd does it better than Anfield. But there will be an added poignancy when Diogo is honoured as he enters the pantheon of lost legends at the age of just 28. I suspect the club will retire the Number 20 he wore as a mark of respect. But his song will echo on the Kop into eternity. 3
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dominic Szoboszlai's cheeky message to Liverpool media team on Premier League title parade bus
Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai jokingly asked the to be "left alone to party" as the Hungarian star basked in the adulation of his adoring supporters during the Premier League trophy parade. The 24-year-old has been a key performer in Arne Slot's top flight championship-winning side, playing 36 times, while supplying six goals and as many assists. The former RB Leipzig star was among those given a hero's reception at Anfield as the Reds were presented with the Premier League trophy following the final game of the season. While Trent Alexander-Arnold was clapped off as he prepares to join Real Madrid, Federico Chiesa was also serenaded by the Kop after developing a cult following among the Anfield faithful. In addition, Virgil van Dijk was left emotional as supporters united to sing "You'll Never Walk Alone", while Arne Slot outlined his plans for his title defense next year. READ MORE: Liverpool title parade LIVE: Pictures, how to watch, bus route, weather, map, updates, live stream READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Florian Wirtz details, Frimpong breaks silence, Milos Kerkez hint For now, though, it appears that Liverpool's class of 2025 want to soak in the adoration from fans one more time as they put a bookend on a historic campaign. As hundreds of thousands lined the streets of the city, the Reds players got a sense of the extent of their achievements during a garland open bus parade. With their Premier League trophy in tow, Mohamed Salah, Van Dijk and co. danced along to tunes supplied by DJ Calvin Harris, while crowds of Kopites cheered along. It appears that Szoboszlai was chief among those wanting to make the most of the occasion as he looked to enjoy the carnival atmosphere in the city while on the parade bus. During an impromptu interview with LFC TV, the Hungarian midfielder brought the conversation to a close, as he looked to party long into the night alongside teammates Kostas Tsimikas and Curtis Jones, who were stood next to him. Bluntly, he spoke into the microphone, saying: "Now leave us alone we've got to party!" Coming into the event, with head coach Slot preparing for a day to remember, he had revealed what he was expecting from the parade, saying: How passionate these fans are for the club and how special it is to win something, let alone over here. "I think I could feel today that it was 35 years ago that they were part of it. It's only been five years ago that we won the league but unfortunately the fans couldn't be there. Now they were and I think everybody could see what it means for the fans to win it, and that is what makes it special and, in the end, for us as well. "Because you play football for yourself, for your family, but definitely also for the fans, and we are privileged that we can play it in front of these [fans] because these ones are special, which they're going to again show tomorrow. "Because if other teams or clubs show the trophy in their city then there are other people there, some great videos you can see – but I think this is again going to be next level." READ MORE: Liverpool fans haven't forgiven Trent Alexander-Arnold - and prove it with response to leaving post READ MORE: Tom Werner's message to Arne Slot shows why Liverpool is streets ahead of Man Utd With one eye on next season, he then added: "No, radical changes you will probably not see because that would be a bit weird if you won the league. But I just said that if the whole team stays together we can improve, even with this team. "We need to improve with this team but if we are able to bring new players in then maybe you have to adapt to their qualities as well. But that will never be drastic because this is the playing style I prefer, this is the playing style the club prefers and our fans want to see as well. "So, we try to find players – if we think we need a new player – that can fit this playing style. But you always adjust towards maybe new things you can expect and you try to improve on this season."
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Liverpool fans show Federico Chiesa how they really feel at title parade amid exit links
Liverpool supporters serenaded Federico Chiesa as they lined the streets of the city to hail their heroes during the club's Premier League trophy parade - as the forward continues to be linked with an Anfield exit. The Italian was the Reds' only major signing last summer and performed a bit-part role in the squad during Arne Slot's first season on Merseyside. Despite only making six appearances in the league, supporters have taken the former Juventus winger to their hearts by bestowing him with his own customary chant. To the tune of Dean Martin's "Sway", Kopites have adapted the lyrics to the iconic 1950s swing number with the chant becoming a favorite on the terraces. During the title celebrations at the Kop end, Chiesa played up to his cult hero status by lifting the trophy aloft as the Anfield faithful crooned in his honor. READ MORE: Liverpool title parade LIVE: Pictures, how to watch, bus route, weather, map, updates, live stream READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Florian Wirtz details, Frimpong breaks silence, Milos Kerkez hint The Italian attacker may not have had the impact observers may have hoped following on from his move to England just over a year ago, his mixed form on the field does not seem to have adversely affected his status in the stands. As he celebrated alongside his girlfriend with the Premier League trophy in hand, his teammates encouraged him to soak up the adulation. With Reds mainstay leading the way, his colleagues swarmed around him as the Kop sung his popular chant in unison in one of the standout moments of the celebrations. His teammates even joined in the song, which has arguably become the soundtrack of this 20th title win for the club. Strains of the tune could be heard on multiple occasions during the game too - even if Chiesa never managed to make the squad for matchday. The lyrics to the song in question are as follows: "We can hear them crying in Turin, Federico, he's here to win, One chat with Arne Slot and he said ciao, F--- off Juve, I'm a Kopite now!" Unsurprisingly, fans were heard singing the song in Chiesa's honor as supporters made their feelings known towards the Italian forward during the Premier League title parade. As the bus made its way from its start location in Allerton, it took just minutes before the crowds started chanting his name once more. However, it remains to be seen whether the former Juventus star's stay on Merseyside will be brought to a close in the coming months. Having failed to establish himself at Anfield as a first-team regular, newly-crowned Serie A champions Napoli have been linked with the player. Meanwhile, Arne Slot discussed the club's transfer plans heading into the window which is set to open this summer. He said: "We just want good players and ideally you sign them as soon as you can. "But it's not always easy to sign good players, let alone to sign them early in the window. But this club doesn't start working from today onwards. There is so much hard work being done behind the scenes already this season to find out which targets we have and try to sign them. "I have all the confidence that if we've addressed the right player that we try to sign that player. But let's see when that's going to happen and if that's going to happen because I'm very happy with the squad we already have." READ MORE: Bayer Leverkusen director offers update on Liverpool's Florian Wirtz transfer pursuit READ MORE: Andy Robertson may have bid emotional farewell to Liverpool without fans realizing He said: "I think the biggest quality Federico has is scoring goals, so the more you get him in and around the box, the more chance you have of him scoring a goal. The more you get him in and around the box, the more chance you have of him scoring a goal. "He got a good chance just before Mo (Salah) had his big chance, Mo assisted for Federico. For him to have an open shot in 18-yard-box is a very good chance for Federico because he's such a good finisher. He added: "I think he did even more than I can expect from him, because if you haven't played throughout the whole season, hardly ever start and then play Brighton away, a very good team who can bring Kaoru Mitoma on minutes before the end, that tells you everything about this league.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Trent Alexander-Arnold 'in disbelief' before making 'child-like' gesture in damning Brighton footage
A body language expert has revealed that Trent Alexander-Arnold's reaction to the club's supporters in the away end at Brighton demonstrated his "disbelief" at his reception from fans after announcing he will leave Liverpool. The right-back will depart Merseyside at the end of the season following a 20-year association with his boyhood side and is expected to join Real Madrid this summer. The 26-year-old, who will bow out as a two-time Premier League winner, was on the receiving end of boos from Reds fans during a recent 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Anfield. These jeers were condemned by Kop hero Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports, while club icon John Aldridge also admitted he felt "uneasy" with the reaction of Alexander-Arnold's detractors. Following on from this incident earlier in the month, the full-back was an unused substitute against Brighton as it remains to be seen whether he has played his last game for Liverpool. READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Sesko interest, Wirtz boost, Frimpong medical, Kerkez talks READ MORE: Arne Slot confirms Liverpool star won't play again this season after missing Brighton game Following the end of the game, Alexander-Arnold approached the away end at the Amex Stadium, as Reds supporters continued to hail their heroes long after the final whistle. While his teammates basked in the adulation from the travelling Kopites, the defender's muted reaction to the celebratory scenes on the terraces did not go unnoticed on social media. Now, body language expert Judi James has given her reflections on Alexander-Arnold's reaction as fans appeared to be in no mood to allow his departure to overshadow the club's achievements this term. She was particularly struck firstly by the apparent apathy from supporters towards his presence on the pitch after the match. She said: "Trent's decision to quit Liverpool was like announcing a divorce from a long-term marriage to a childhood sweetheart, so he should hardly be surprised if the fans are keen to turn their backs and move on without him now. "He stands here watching them celebrate without him with his body language suggesting confusion and dejection," James contends. "When he reassured the fans he'd be back to visit regularly he might have assumed they'd wish him well with his new 'relationship' with another club, but as he turns here his eye expression seems to give away his feelings of surprise and pain." As for his body language as he turns away from the away end and towards the tunnel before staring longingly into space, she continued by explaining that this reaction was telling: "His eyes widen in surprise and shock before he performs some emphatic blinks in a cut-off ritual that hints at disbelief. "He ends with an act of auto-attack, biting at his nails as he walks away," she asserted, before adding: "This could be a childlike gesture of self-comfort, although nail-biting can also be prompted by frustrated anger when someone turns angry feelings on themself.' READ MORE: Eight Liverpool players among nominees for Premier League Fan Team of the Season READ MORE: When and what time is the Liverpool Premier League title parade? Commenting previously on Alexander-Arnold's much-publicized announcement video as he revealed his intentions to leave the club he supported as a boy, James said: This sounds and looks almost like a divorce video, as though Trent is a husband announcing a break-up and moving out of a long-term love affair but hoping there will be no bitterness for the sake of the kids," "There are signals of regret and even being slightly overwhelmed by emotion at one point. When he says the club is 'all I've ever known' there is a subtle change of state, and a hint of confused or mixed emotions as one eyebrow lifts in the middle while the other drops and he shakes his head from side to side. She added: "Then his brows rise into a steeple while his eyes narrow and his tongue pokes from his mouth in a suggestion of rejection. "There is a pause when he seems to be battling his emotions, letting out a sigh and closing his eyes as though inwardly battling with tears. When he thanks everyone for their support he scrunches his shoulders in a gesture of vulnerability. At any moment you expect him to add 'It's not you, it's me'. "His expression becomes slightly more intense and fiercer as he gains some energy as he lets the fans know 'I'll be back' with an air of determination and intent."
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Trent Alexander-Arnold looks annoyed after being benched for Liverpool's defeat at Brighton as fans suggest he is regretting his decision to leave
Trent Alexander-Arnold was an unused substitute on Monday night as Liverpool lost 3-2 away at Brighton. Despite travelling more than 250 miles to see their side lose, Reds supporters threw a post-match party at the AMEX — but Alexander-Arnold did not appear to be in the mood. Still buoyed by seeing their side seal the Premier League title late last month, Liverpool fans were seen jumping up and down to 1997 club classic Freed From Desire after the final whistle. Showing their appreciation for the support, Liverpool's players gathered together to respond with a round of applause. But while his team-mates were clapping, Alexander-Arnold — who is set to leave Liverpool on a free transfer after his contract expires next month — stood with his hands on his hips, looking like he'd rather be somewhere else. He soon will be. The 26-year-old is widely expected to join Real Madrid this summer. Trent at the end 😬 — Anything Liverpool (@AnythingLFC_) May 19, 2025 However, reacting to his body language on Monday night, several Liverpool supporters took to social media to suggest that the local lad might be regretting his decision to call time on his Anfield career. 'Looks like he's realised he's made a mistake,' wrote one fan. A very similar message from another fan added: 'He clearly knows he made a huge mistake'. A third Kopite tweeted: 'He will never find that atmosphere elsewhere', while a fourth said: 'It's probably just now setting in that he's leaving'. Several other fans were clearly still angry with Alexander-Arnold over his decision to depart on a free transfer. 'Haha. Hope he's hurt, sad, mad and any other negative feeling one can have,' read one mean-spirited comment. Another Reds supporter chimed in by adding: 'This person does not deserve greeting, does not deserve applause, and does not deserve anything from the audience'. However, there was some support for the right back — who has been on the books at Liverpool since he joined the club's academy way back in 2004. One fan leapt to his defence by writing: 'The Trent hate is too much to be honest. Like, can we leave him alone and appreciate what he's done for the club'. Alexander-Arnold has made 353 first-team appearances for the Reds, winning eight trophies — including two Premier League titles and one UEFA Champions League.
