Liverpool… again

One again there was a disturbing outbreak of severe hooliganism at Anfield when on Wednesday night the Real Madrid coach was attacked by a mob of 400 Liverpool fans.

A similar incident occurred when Liverpool beat Manchester City, whose coach was attacked, and for which Liverpool was fined £17,000.

Wednesday’s outrage, where there seemed a lamentable security presence and CCTV footage was blurred by fireworks, carried far less space and time in the media than the banning of a Slavia Prague player for social media racial abuse.

Any team should be able to travel to a ground with total security. I wondered why this story was relegated to the bottom of the inside pages of the sport section.

The main reason is that UEFA dare not take on the likes of Liverpool for fear they will start  their own Champions League.

People easily forget that one of Liverpool’s best signings – van Zyl from Southampton – was first the subject of an improper approach.

In the week I had a meal with a neighbour that has followed his team Spurs home and away for 40 years. He confirmed that Anfield is one of the most dangerous places to visit for the away fan.

Bill Shankly did a successful whitewash of their fans and Hillsborough became over the years a far bigger tragedy than Heysel.

Liverpool have also a massive presence on SKY, BT and BBC with Kelly Caites (daughter of Kenny Dalglish), Graeme Souness, Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen, Mark Lawrenson and Jim Beglin always ready to defend them.

I hope this time round UEFA take more significant and appropriate action than the rumoured £22,000 fine but I’m not holding my breathe.