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Liverpool: Pitch invader's actions 'unacceptable' after collision with Andrew Robertson & Curtis Jones
Liverpool say the actions of a pitch invader during Sunday’s 7-0 Premier League win over Manchester United were “unacceptable and dangerous”.
The fan drew the ire of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp after colliding with players as they celebrated Roberto Firmino scoring the Reds’ seventh goal.
The Reds are investigating the incident and added a lifetime ban from Anfield could be levied on the offender.
“These acts are dangerous, illegal and have severe consequences,” they said.
Merseyside Police said a 16-year-old boy from Winsford had been arrested on suspicion of encroaching onto a football pitch.
“He is scheduled to voluntarily attend a police station in Merseyside regarding this incident,” they added.
The supporter went to celebrate with Liverpool players and appeared to slip – sliding into Andrew Robertson and Curtis Jones, who both looked to be in some discomfort.
As the fan was escorted off by stewards, Klopp was seen shouting at the supporter.
“There is no excuse for this unacceptable and dangerous behaviour,” Liverpool’s statement added.
“The safety and security of players, colleagues and supporters is paramount.
“If found guilty of the offence of entering the pitch without permission, the offender could face a criminal record and a lifetime ban from Anfield and all Premier League stadiums.”
‘Why not be proactive rather than reactive?’
The incident was discussed on BBC’s Match of the Day 2, with Birmingham City captain Troy Deeney, speaking as a pundit, saying: “It is something we spoke about at the back end of last season with fans coming on the pitch, and then we had the Aaron Ramsdale incident.
“We’re all for fans enjoying themselves, but it is going to take someone to get injured. We fine someone and see if they do it again. At the moment it’s very much a case of ‘let it happen, let it happen’.
“We need something drastic to happen before we react, but why not be proactive rather than reactive?”
Arsenal goalkeeper Ramsdale, 24, was kicked in the back by a fan as they beat Spurs 2-0 in the north London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in January.
The man was banned from football matches for four years, given a community order and told to pay £100 compensation, after pleading guilty to a charge of assault by beating.
In July 2022, new measures were announced by the Premier League, English Football League and the Football Association to tackle pitch invaders – including an automatic club ban.
Concerns were raised about safety at grounds after a number of pitch invasions at the end of last season.
Original article published 06.03.2023 on the BBC Sport website.
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