Flags will not be displayed in the Kop during Liverpool's UEFA Europa League quarter-final first-leg match against Atalanta at Anfield on Thursday, in response to escalating ticket prices.
Last week, Liverpool announced a 2% rise in the prices of season tickets and members' tickets for the upcoming 2024/25 season.
The decision prompted a wave of discontent among supporter groups, with Spirit of Shankly coming out and protesting the rise.
Jurgen Klopp was also asked to comment on the matter at his pre-match press conference and said: "It's a tricky one from my point of view".
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Why are there no flags on the Kop?
Spion Kop 1906, the organisation that prepares the banners and flags on the Kop, decided to take action to protest Liverpool's higher ticket prices.
They released the following statement: “We are disappointed in the football club’s decision towards ticket prices for 24/25.
“In response, there will be no flags on the Kop for Thursday night’s game. Unlike the club’s own approach, this has been agreed in consultation with other fan groups.
We are disappointed in the Football Club’s decision towards ticket prices for 24/25. In response, there will be no flags on The Kop for Thursday night’s game. Unlike the Club’s own approach, this has been agreed in consultation with other fan groups
— Spion Kop 1906 (@SpionKop1906) April 10, 2024
“We will pay our respects to the 97 with Hillsborough flags only at this weekend’s league match, as always with it being the closest game to April 15.
“There is still a chance for the club to hold some positive dialogue with the Supporters’ Board in time for Saturday’s meeting. Until then the supporters have one message: No to ticket price increases.”
In his pre-match briefing ahead of the clash with Atalanta, Klopp was pressed on the matter.
“As long as the people are there, it’s all good. I understand the concerns and the discussions, definitely. It’s a tricky one from my point of view.
“We have to make the stadium available for everybody, stuff like this, and we’re a self-sustaining club. As long as I’ve been here, each pound we’ve earned has gone directly back into football. It’s not wasted on something. The club does a lot of good things for the community.
“But I understand 100% where the supporters are coming from. I am pretty sure they will find a solution in this situation. It starts with maybe a protest and then maybe follow-up discussions.
“We should make sure that nothing gets between us and the supporters, it should not happen. Between the two big whistles, we just have to be Liverpool. That’s what I’m asking for.
“It would be worse tomorrow if only the flags were in the stand and no-one else. That used to be the case [during the pandemic]. We don’t want that again. They will find a solution I’m sure."
MORE: Why Jurgen Klopp is leaving Liverpool in 2024
Liverpool Premier League schedule: Remaining fixtures for title run-in
Liverpool have got seven games left in the 2023/24 Premier League season. Three of them are at home at Anfield, and four are away matches.
Liverpool Premier League schedule: Remaining fixtures in 2023/24
| Date | Time (GMT / ET) | Opponent | Home/Away | Result |
| Mar. 10 | 3.45 p.m. / 11:45 a.m. | Man City | H | 1-1 |
| Mar. 31 | 2 p.m. / 9 a.m. | Brighton | H | 2-1 |
| Apr. 4 | 7:30 p.m. / 2:30 p.m. | Sheffield United | H | 3-1 |
| Apr. 7 | 3:30 p.m. / 10:30 a.m. | Man United | A | 2-2 |
| Apr. 14 | 2 p.m. / 9 a.m. | Crystal Palace | H | — |
| Apr. 20 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | Fulham | A | — |
| Apr. 24 | 8 p.m. / 3 p.m. | Everton | A | — |
| Apr. 27 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | West Ham | A | — |
| May 4 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | Tottenham | H | — |
| May 11 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | Aston Villa | A | — |
| May 19 | 4 p.m. / 11 a.m. | Wolves | H | — |
