Lijnders has some explaining to do for Liverpool fans as touchline antics spotted during FA Cup defeat - opinion
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Liverpool’s defeat against Manchester City on Saturday was arguably the most painful day of a dreadful season for the Reds.Despite starting well, Arne Slot’s team soon fell apart, capitulating in familiar fashion at the Etihad Stadium.To make matters worse for Liverpool, former assistant manager Pep Lijnders sat in the opposition dugout with Pep Guardiola banished to the stands. On a chastening day for the Reds, Lijnders rubbed salt in the wounds with his animated reactions to City’s goals, and as a result he should never call himself a Liverpool fan ever again.
The errors are beginning to pile up… Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images Lijnders shows himself up against LiverpoolWhen Lijnders left Liverpool along with Jurgen Klopp, he proudly proclaimed how he and his family had become adopted Scousers over the years.Well, less than two years on, the Dutchman has clearly forgotten all about those emotional declarations.As journalist Lewis Steele noted, Lijnders’ reaction to Antoine Semenyo’s third goal of the day was especially needless.“3-0 Semenyo and Lijnders gives it large in the direction of Slot,” Steele posted on X.READ MORE: How FSG’s stance on sacking Arne Slot could be severely tested this seasonPhoto by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty ImagesThe 43-year-old became well known for his animated reactions while employed by the Reds, but a little respect during a really difficult moment for his old club wouldn’t have gone amiss.Instead, Lijnders bore resemblance to an excitable child while on the touchline on Saturday. That is fine, he can do as he pleases, but in doing so, he ensured that he firmly cut ties with Liverpool in the process.No love for Lijnders at AnfieldOpinions are split in football about players celebrating after scoring against their former clubs.
Instead, just as he did at Anfield after City’s win in February, he made a show of himself. Some PATHETIC displays 😡 Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images There was a time when many fans had wanted to see Lijnders make a return to Liverpool one day after embarking on a career as a head coach.While he has since proved himself as nowhere near good enough for the top job at Anfield, he has also annoyed enough people with his antics that he should not be welcomed back in Liverpool again.There were many reasons why Saturday’s defeat hurt so much for Reds fans, but to see someone so intrinsically linked to the club behave in such a manner, and kick the club while it’s so down, left the sourest taste in the mouth.