This is why we can’t have nice things.
There are few clubs prouder and more aware of their own history than Liverpool.
It’s part of what makes Liverpool great, but in the modern age it can sometimes be exploited for some some rather cringey marketing purposes.
For all their history as one of the most storied clubs in world football, Liverpool can really come across like your overly sincere aunt on Facebook from time to time.
And this certainly appears to be the case for the Reds’ third kit for the season ahead.
Liverpool go with fluorescent lime green and a Gerard Houllier quote on new kit https://t.co/tV8vxkh574 #LFC #CFC #MUFC
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) July 29, 2016
The rarely seen third kit seems to have become a battleground is super-rich Premier League clubs to see which one can outdo the rest with a strip inspired by hi-vis jackets.
In the early hours of Friday morning, Liverpool unveiled their new effort.
📸 In full…
What do you make of the 16/17 @NBFootball Third Kit, Reds? pic.twitter.com/cXkqEXv5Tj
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 29, 2016
It’s a fairly standard third kit, with the fluorescent yellow/green perfect for cycling home at night after training in winter.
But it’s not the kit itself which has made many roll their eyes, it’s the message stitched into the back which declares that “Liverpool players must play like a lion”.
The quote – once uttered by former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier – has not gone down that well with sections of the Anfield support.
"Liverpool Players Must Play Like A Lion."
Sorry, no. Unnecessary. Club already has an identity. Use it.
(GR). https://t.co/yYIoWyUjk8
— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) July 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/ChrisHurst__/status/758914245916364800
https://twitter.com/Yers_Saliyev/status/758939943783714816
stop putting cringey quotes on all our new kits. Thanks
— Col (@Col_Marp) July 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/jrabaca/status/758927289283321857
And sentences poor grammer was enough to annoyed fans to.
Just so we clear "Liverpool players must play like a lion" doesn't make grammatical sense.
— Underwhelmed (@jagdesh) July 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/MikLFC/status/758953444153581568
https://twitter.com/TheJohnBob/status/758965905992716288
shouldn't it be Liverpool players must play like lions OR a Liverpool player must play like a lion #grammar
— Jack Forrester (@JaxDraven) July 28, 2016
If they’re going to dig old quotes you would think they’d go for one of the thousand or so Bill Shankly soundbites that would genuinely enthuse fans and players.
