Liverpool fans BLAST Martin Tyler for appearing to describe Hillsborough as 'hooligan-related issue'

Liverpool fans have blasted Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler after he appeared to describe the Hillsborough tragedy as a 'hooligan-related issue'.

When asked about commentating on the first Premier League game 30 years ago on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the 76-year-old said that football 'was in a bit of a crisis at that time'.

Tyler added that 'we weren't that long after Hillsborough and other hooligan related issues'.

Speaking to presenter Martha Kearney, he said: 'It was very pioneering. We didn't know how the restructuring of the league would work.

'We certainly didn't know how satellite television, as it was called in those days, would work.

'But it was a great adventure. 3,000 live matches later, not all commentated by me, thankfully for the public. But it does seem that it worked.

'You've got to remember that football was in a bit of a crisis at that time. We weren't that long after Hillsborough and other hooligan related issues as well.

'So it was very much a difficult time for the game generally. And it was seen as a bit of a privatisation. Sort of taking it away from the public.'

The 1989 disaster took place during Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest. It is still the deadliest sporting tragedy ever in Britain.

A total of 95 fans were killed on the day or in the aftermath of the incident, with Tony Bland then passing away in 1993 and Andrew Devine losing his life last year.

Both men eventually lost their lives as a result of injuries sustained at Hillsborough.

Fans were quick to criticise the commentator with one saying: 'How long is he going to get away with snide comments?'

Another said: 'Linking Hillsborough to hooliganism. This needs to be corrected.'

A third commented: 'Did he just compare a state failure and turned it into a hooliganism by fans? Absolutely pathetic. He should apologize and be sacked.'

One Twitter user suggested former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher having 'a word'.

Sky Sports has been approached by MailOnline for comment.

Liverpool fans previously vented their frustration over Tyler's reaction to their side's crucial Premier League victory over Southampton last season.

Fans were furious with Tyler as they said his reaction to the goals sounded like he was 'commentating a funeral' and that his 'house had just been repossessed'.

Speaking ahead of Liverpool's game with Southampton, Tyler also spoke about how he preferred to support 'the underdog' during important Premier League clashes and that the Reds didn't qualify for such a title.

The Sky Sports commentator revealed his stance after Jamie Carragher defended Jurgen Klopp's decision to rotate his squad following Saturday's FA Cup final triumph over Chelsea, making nine changes.