The anthem inextricably linked to Liverpool was once sang by the home support at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
Back in early 2023, Liverpool and Real Madrid met at Anfield for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. Ahead of the game, the Reds had placed a bouquet of flowers in the area where Madrid fans were seated as a tribute to Amancio Amaro, a former star of the Spanish club who had recently passed away. The game then proceeded, with the visitors stunning the home team coming from two goals down to win 2-5.
Attention then turned to the second leg in Madrid and at the end of the contest at the Santiago Bernabéu, the famous song ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ was pumped out over the public address system. The answer to why was quickly revealed.
Respect from Real Madrid and Liverpool
After securing their safe passage to the quarterfinals with another Champions League triumph, the Madrid players left the pitch while the fans, both sets, continued to sing that iconic anthem. The Liverpool players remained and applauded the section at the top of the north end of the stadium.
“It was a lovely touch from Liverpool at Anfield,” legendary player Emilio Butragueño, now PR director for Los Blancos, explained. “Our honorary president had passed away and they made a great gesture. It’s the least we could do.
"Clubs at this level demonstrate their greatness with these things.”
The 2,000 or so Liverpool supporters who came to the Bernabéu did not cause any adverse incidents before the game and shared moments of affection with the local Real Madrid fans. They expressed their gratitude to their hosts for the gesture by chanting ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ with outstretched scarves.