Micah Richards stated that it was ‘disgusting’ that objects were thrown at ex-Porto winger, Luis Diaz, during and after Liverpool’s 3-1 Champions League win against Benfica on Tuesday night.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher added that he feels ‘rivalry and tribalism’ in football in today’s game is more compared to when he was growing up, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (05/04/22 at 10:20 pm).
Diaz scored Liverpool’s third goal of the game yesterday and when he went to celebrate an object was thrown at him from the Benfica section of the crowd.
The same happened when he went to collect his Man of the Match award after the game, as the Benfica supporters also booed the ex-Porto flyer throughout the match.
Whilst booing the Colombian is fine, because of his past with Porto, perhaps chucking objects at players is a big no-no, as both Richards and Carragher shared their thoughts on the matter.
“Disgusting behaviour,” said Richards. “I know he has played for Porto and he is their rival. But the fans should know better than that.”
Carragher added: “It’s happening a lot more in the game. I don’t think he (the fan) will be going to that stadium anytime soon.
“In the FA Cup in England. We actually saw a fan run onto the pitch and throw a punch at someone. I think it was Nottingham Forest v Leicester City. This is creeping into our game. It’s not just in Portugal. I am saying this is happening in England and all over the place.
“The rivalry and tribalism in football now, it certainly wasn’t like that when I was growing up and watching football.
“I think with the amount of football we see. Social media. I do think fans and everybody gets a lot more wound up by football – football seems a lot bigger than when I was younger. It’s the only thing you see on TV. It’s blanket coverage. It’s on your phone and it’s a constant thing – I think it’s pretty bad at times.”
Aside from those actions, it was an evening to remember for Diaz on his return to Portugal and for Liverpool as a whole.
That’s a two-goal cushion heading into the second leg next week, which will take place at Anfield.
All eyes will now turn to that mouthwatering Premier League title showdown against Manchester City on Sunday.
Pep Guardiola’s side were also winners in their Champions League quarter-final tie, after they beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Etihad.
And now it’s time to perhaps settle a defining blow in the race to become champions of England.
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