Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum were the only two Liverpool stars to touch the famous ‘This is Anfield’ sign before the Reds’ victory over Norwich.
Manager Jurgen Klopp had banned his players from reaching up and caressing the iconic sign as they walked out onto the pitch at Anfield, as was tradition on Merseyside, until they had won a trophy at the club.
Klopp said in 2016: “I’ve told my players not to touch the ‘This Is Anfield’ sign until they win something.
“It’s a sign of respect. I touched it when I was manager of Borussia Dortmund but we lost 4-0.”
After the Reds lifted the Champions League last season, following their 2-0 triumph over Tottenham, the rule has been modified.
But only skipper Henderson and midfield partner Wijnaldum tempered their pre-match rituals to include the stretch on the exit of the tunnel.
Dutchman Wijnaldum wrote on Instagram : “Boss wouldn’t let us tough the sign until we won a trophy…now is the time. #ThisIsAnfield.”
No other players, nor Klopp, decided to leave their finger prints on the framed image.
(Image: Liverpool FC)
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Liverpool opened the season with a 4-1 victory, with a Grant Hanley own goal followed by strikes from Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi.
Despite the new rule change at Anfield, Klopp decided against showing off the Champions League trophy.
“Nobody told me I have to!” he said when asked why they didn’t bring the cup out. “I touched the European Cup on the (CL final) match day and the day after, since then not.
“We are now in the new season, and I don’t have to think about that any more.”
