Liverpool fans were outraged over the weekend after reports Real Madrid stars ‘mocked’ the club during Brazil’s friendly against Croatia at Anfield.
Various media reports in the likes of The Metro over the weekend carried images showing Real Madrid and Brazil left-back Marcelo pictured alongside Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic appearing to laugh at the Liverpool crest.
Brazil beat Croatia 2-0 in a pre-World Cup friendly at Anfield on Sunday afternoon with four of Real Madrid’s Champions League-winning side which beat Liverpool named in the two squads for the clash.
Marcelo, Modric, Kovacic and Casemiro all met up on Saturday as the teams trained prior to the friendly at Liverpool’s historic stadium, and the pictures and reports left many fans feeling they were being disrespected following their recent Champions League final defeat.
It seems the image which sent social media into meltdown was just unfortunate timing because the quartet were actually caught on film posing for pictures next to the Liverpool crest at the famous ground.
“The position of their photo (showing Marcelo laughing) was pure coincidence… as they posted images of themselves in front of Liverpool‘s club crest at Anfield,” Marca said.
“As this video proves, the players showed no disrespect to their hosts as they bumped into each other in the build-up to the fixture.”
It would have been strange for players at the top of the game to show such disrespect not only to one of the most historic clubs in Europe but also one where plenty of their international teammates ply their trade for the Reds.
Liverpool’s own Roberto Firmino and superstar striker Neymar were on target in a comfortable win for Brazil ahead of the Russia World Cup in two weeks’ time.
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