7th March, 2023
A pitch invader who collided with the Liverpool players while celebrating their seventh goal against Manchester United and nearly injured Andy Robertson has been arrested by Merseyside Police.
It is likely that he would be banned from Anfield, the club’s home ground in the Liverpool city, for life.
As the players celebrated the final goal of Sunday’s 7-0 drubbing of their rivals, the fan ran onto the pitch and slipped.
He then collided with Robertson who went down clutching his ankle, although the Scot finished the match.
Merseyside Police said a 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of encroaching onto a football pitch.
“There is no excuse for this unacceptable and dangerous behavior. The safety and security of players, colleagues, and supporters are paramount,” the club said in a statement on Monday.
“The club will now follow its formal sanctions process and has suspended the alleged offender’s account until the process is complete.
“If found guilty of the offense of entering the pitch without permission, the offender could face a criminal record and a lifetime ban from Anfield and all Premier League stadiums.
“These acts are dangerous, illegal, and have severe consequences.”
The police said their officers were working with the club in relation to the incident.
“He is scheduled to voluntarily attend a police station in Merseyside regarding this incident,” the club said in a statement.
The fan was led away by stewards and also got an earful from Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp, who was furious on the touchline as the linesman attempted to calm the German.
The result boosted Liverpool’s top-four hopes as the Anfield club moved up to fifth, three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand.
They next play away at relegation-threatened Bournemouth on Saturday.