Manchester United forward Wout Weghorst has provided further explanation as to why he touched Liverpool’s famous ‘This Is Anfield’ sign prior to last week’s 7-0 thrashing.
The Red Devils suffered their worst ever Premier League defeat at the hands of their biggest rivals on a humiliating day on Merseyside.
Finger-pointing was rife among fans and pundits post-match and when footage emerged of Weghorst tapping Anfield’s historic signpost, United supporters were understandably unhappy.
The Dutchman explained in a post on social media that he was trying to wind up Netherlands teammate and Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk, who touches the sign before every home game.
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In an interview with BBC Sport’s Football Focus – which will now not be aired on TV in the aftermath of the Match of the Day debacle – Weghorst was asked if he could provide further clarity behind his actions.
“Of course, I know Virgil from the national team and we are quite good [friends],” he began.
“With the [pre-match] handshake he was already starting the match and he was a little bit like…I can say ‘cool’, I think.
“And so we just in a coincidence walked [out of the tunnel] next to each other, he was a little bit in front of me and I remember he’s always touching [the Anfield sign]. I was trying to touch his hand from behind and trying to ignore him a little bit. I said to him ‘not today, I know your rituals but it’s not working today’.
“Unfortunately, it didn’t work. But it was actually the only meaning I had, the only intention I had. Of course, I saw later on, we had a free day, I saw the messages from Liverpool fans, that I’ve touched it to shield myself. Normally I don’t respond on anything about this but just because the fans from United are amazing, they have been really amazing with me and for me also, I just wanted to clarify that.”
When asked if he understood why fans were angry, he replied: “I totally understand because when you see a video like this or when you see pictures from behind, I see it also. Then it’s ‘why did he touch this sign?’, you know. It’s not a smart thing of me to do but we shouldn’t make it bigger than it is, I think.
“But I can understand for some people. That’s also why I wanted to explain it, so I’m happy you asked. I can explain it to the fans because it was nothing else than me trying to win already for United before the game started.”
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