Fan protest greets Liverpool at Old Trafford, stalemate ends Everton hopes
Manchester: Liverpool’s squad arrived safely at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium for Thursday’s (Friday AEST) Premier League clash as home fans protesting against the club’s owners attempted to disrupt the game for a second time in 10 days.
Sky Sports posted a video on Twitter showing players and officials arriving at the stadium for the match. British media reported a Liverpool team bus had been blocked off on its way to Old Trafford by the protesters who deflated its tyres, although that vehicle was not transporting coach Juergen Klopp and his players to the stadium.
Fans protest outside Old Trafford before the clash between Premier League arch-rivals Manchester United and Liverpool.Credit:Getty
The fixture was originally scheduled to be played on May 3 but was postponed after violent clashes between fans and police in which more than 100 supporters forced their way into the stadium and stormed the pitch to protest against the club’s owners – the Glazer family.
To avoid a repeat, several United players were pictured arriving at Old Trafford six hours before kick-off on Thursday. The squad traditionally travel to home games together after meeting at the Lowry Hotel.
United’s home game against Leicester City on Tuesday went ahead without incident after a heavy police and security presence along with a “ring of steel” set of barriers around the Old Trafford venue ensured no access to fans, who are barred from the ground due to COVID-19 restrictions.
As part of the protests which stopped the Liverpool game from taking place, fans blocked the exit of the Manchester hotel that is regularly used by the club for the players’ pre-game meal, meetings and rest.
But United broke from their usual routine on Thursday with pictures published on the websites of The Sun newspaper and the Manchester Evening News showing several players arriving early at Old Trafford.
A spokesman for United said the club would not comment on players’ activity or timing.
Protests against the Glazer family, who bought United in 2005, reignited after the Americans were involved in a failed attempt to create a breakaway European Super League.
United owner and co-chairman Joel Glazer has promised he will meet with fans groups to discuss their concerns.
Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti reacts during the early-season pacesetters’ stalemate at Aston Villa.Credit:AP
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Everton’s faint hopes of a top-four finish were all but extinguished following a goalless draw with Aston Villa at Villa Park.
The result left Everton eighth on 56 points from 35 games, eight points behind fourth-placed Chelsea who have played a game more.
Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved a Dominic Calvert-Lewin shot in the 15th minute before Tyrone Mings headed just wide at the other end as the home side dominated the first half without creating much up front.
Everton improved after the break with Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez drawing a fine save from Ben Godfrey while the home side struggled to create any clear-cut chances at the other end.
Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti was unhappy with the result which dented his team’s hopes of playing in European competition next season.
“It is a point,” the Italian told the BBC. “What can I say? Not satisfied for the result, satisfied for the performance. We could win but we have to take this point and try to win the next game.
“I am really positive. We have a great opportunity and we have to try to do our best. I said at the start of the season the European positions will be decided by the last game.”
Reuters
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