Manchester United fans love ripping Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard in the Twitterverse, blogosphere and cyberspace. Also, in person at the stadium whenever they get the opportunity. Ever since the infamous slip last spring, which allowed Chelsea’s Demba Ba to get loose and score, Man United fans love referring to Stevie G. as “Slippy G.” The fall may have eventually cost Liverpool the title last season, as the Reds finished in second.
The pokes at Gerrard are all in good fun most of the time, but this banner yesterday had to be removed from Old Trafford because it was in violation of stadium guidelines.
@stuartparish pic.twitter.com/ZKxMxmkYj0
— Neil Meehan (@transmissionUWS) December 14, 2014
Supporters in the Scoreboard End unfurled a banner, reading: “Au revoir Gerrard, Come back when you’ve won one,” accompanied by a silhouette of the Reds captain’s fateful slip against Chelsea last season. h/t The Mirror
The banner was made in reference to a bedsheet unfurled by Liverpool fans at Anfield in 1994 which read: “Au revoir Cantona and Man United. Come back when you’ve won 18.”
At the time, United had won nine championships in their history but they now boast 20 to Liverpool’s 18. A United spokesman told the Telegraph:
“Any banner over a certain size would need a fire certificate. This banner would have contravened the ground regulations.”
You should also check out these Manchester United fans, mocking Gerrard with the “caution wet floor” signs. Pretty funny indeed.
Brilliant! Manchester United fans holding up ‘wet floor’ signs at Gerrard pic.twitter.com/8HyJFBBkeG
— Man Utd News (@SirAlexStand) December 14, 2014
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net ,which is partners with Fox Sports. Read his feature stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on KOZN 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks). His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN 2