Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool team honour worker killed at Everton’s new stadium
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp showed a touch of class on Saturday by leading his squad in a touching tribute to Everton fan Michael Jones.
The Liverpool Echo reported Klopp turned up alongside his squad to lay a wreath at Bramley Moore Dock, where Jones tragically died on Monday while working on the construction of Everton's new stadium. The 26-year-old was rushed to Aintree hospital after suffering severe head injuries, but died shortly after.
Photographs showed Klopp placing Liverpool's wreath at the scene before holding his cap in a moment of contemplation. It appeared a full complement of Liverpool players accompanied the German to the site ahead of their Saturday's afternoon fixture at home to Bournemouth.
Despite the heated rivalry between the two clubs, the Reds' wreath bore a heart-warming tribute, which read: "Condolences from everyone at Liverpool Football Club. YNWA."
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Liverpool's players and coaching staff also held a minute's silence in Jones' memory, commemorating the 'lifelong Evertonian' in simplistic style. The likes of Virgil van Dijk, Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah could be seen with solemn expressions as they turned up out of respect for a member of the community.
Everton fans and Liverpool supporters alike praised the "classy" gesture on social media. A Toffees statement grieving the loss of their fan said the club had been left 'devastated' by Monday's tragic news.
"The thoughts of everyone at Everton remain with Michael's family, friends and colleagues," it read. "We will now be working with Michael's family on an appropriate and lasting tribute. Michael Jones, forever in our hearts."
Sean Dyche's side are hoping to move into the new Everton Stadium next year, with the project understood to be costing the club around £500million. The Toffees have agonised for years over a change in home setting, and the upcoming move will see their maximum capacity jump from 39,000 seats up to 53,000.
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A GoFundMe page has been set up by Jones' family to cover the costs of the late fan's funeral and to give him a 'true Merseyside send-off'. The fundraiser was nearing its £35,000 target as of Saturday morning.
Everton lost 1-0 at home to Fulham in their first game of the new Premier League season last weekend. However, they'll hope to balance that result by targeting three points on the road to Aston Villa on Sunday.
Liverpool FC did not publicise the wreath-laying in advance.
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