Jurgen Klopp has prohibited 10 Liverpool players, including Darwin Nunez, from touching the renowned ‘This Is Anfield’ sign.

Jurgen Klopp has prohibited 10 Liverpool players, including Darwin Nunez, from touching the renowned ‘This Is Anfield’ sign.

Jurgen Klopp has implemented a ban on ten Liverpool players, preventing them from touching the renowned ‘This is Anfield’ sign. Anfield stadium holds a revered status globally, attributed to its rich history and the passionate atmosphere fostered by the club’s supporters. While the ‘This is Anfield’ sign isn’t visible to the public, it holds significant symbolism for players. Positioned at the tunnel entrance, it marks the final sight before players step onto the pitch. Over time, it has evolved into a tradition for Liverpool’s players to touch the sign as they make their way onto the field.

The iconic ‘This is Anfield’ sign holds a significant legacy, initially installed by the revered Liverpool manager, Bill Shankly, half a century ago. It served as the cornerstone for one of his memorable quotes: “It’s there to remind our lads who they’re playing for and to remind the opposition who they’re playing against!”

However, in 2016, Jurgen Klopp disrupted the longstanding tradition of players touching the sign. During the early stages of his tenure as Liverpool manager, Klopp conveyed, “I’ve instructed my players not to touch the ‘This Is Anfield’ sign until they win something!”

“It’s a gesture of respect. I touched it when I was managing Borussia Dortmund, but unfortunately, we lost 4-0.”

Liverpool’s trophy drought dates back to their victory over Chelsea in the 2022 FA Cup final, where they emerged victorious via penalties.

As a result, there are currently ten players within Klopp’s squad who have yet to secure a trophy and consequently are prohibited from touching the iconic sign.

Darwin Nunez, who arrived at the club in an £85 million transfer from Benfica a month after the cup final victory, is among those barred from participating in the pre-game ritual.

Additionally, Cody Gakpo and youngster Stefan Bajcetic face the same restriction, along with recent recruits Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch, and Ben Doak—all of whom have joined the club since the last trophy triumph.

Completing the list are academy graduates Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley, bringing the total to ten players.

These ten individuals will have an opportunity to lift the ban when Liverpool confront Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on February 25.