Anfield will see no flags on the Kop when Liverpool take on Atalanta on Thursday evening as supporters protest an increase in ticket prices. The Reds plan to raise their prices next term with season tickets and members’ matchday ticket prices to be upped by two per cent. The club have blamed the rise on increased operational costs. 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 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 the 15th of April. “There is still a chance for the Club to hold some positive dialogue with the Supporters Board in time for Saturday’s meeting. The banner read: “No to ticket price increases.”

They are not the only group to voice their displeasure with the decision, with supporters’ union, Spirit of Shankly, saying: “For a second successive season, Liverpool have chosen to increase ticket prices for supporters. This is despite record commercial revenues and a place as the seventh-richest football club in the world. They didn’t have to do this.” In 2016, Spion Kop 1906, alongside Spirit of Shankly, staged a walkout at Anfield after the club announced a price rise for the 2016/17 season.