New Delhi: It is the final Merseyside derby of the Premier League at Goodison Park, as Everton bid goodbye to their home ground of 132 years. When you put Liverpool’s football heritage aside, there is the heritage of music that the city has produced which stands out.
Liverpool’s motto, “You’ll never walk alone”, came to be after the Merseyside band Gerry and Pacemaker’s 1963 cover became a chart hit and eventually the club’s anthem. The city’s greatest musical act is, without a doubt, The Beatles. They remain one of rock music’s most popular and celebrated bands.
The Beatles and the Merseyside fan following
Over the years, the fans of the two football clubs have always staked their claim. The four lads, of course, were very different in their opinion of their favourite football club, just like their musical tastes. The most famous of the four, John Lennon, has often been for not being keen on sports by the Beatles historian. However, in a 1963 interview, the singer-songwriter was quoted as saying being a fan of the Reds.
While it may have been a passing remark, Lennon’s father was a Liverpool fan, hence the affiliation. Besides for their 1967 album “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” cover, Lennon had requested to use legend Albert Stubbins cutout. For his song “Dig It” from the band’s 1969 album, “Let It Be”, Lennon would be named Matt Busby, a former Liverpool player in the song.
His songwriting partner, Paul McCartney, has been the most vocal of the four about his support for Everton. In a 2018 interview with media outlet WIRED, the bass player mentioned that he supported Everton because his father was born in Everton. McCartney claimed that the Toffees was his family team. However, McCartney went on to say that he knew many from Liverpool and that he was in the “dispensation” of supporting both clubs.
18.06.1942. “Tres conejos en un árbol tocando el tambor. Que sí, que no, que sí lo he visto yo”. ¡Feliz cumpleaños, Paul!
Acá McCartney nos explica que es hincha de Everton 🔵 de familia pero también de Liverpool 🔴 por simpatía y adopción. La la la la laaaa, ¡Hey Jude! 🎵🎶 pic.twitter.com/VOW8Y4FJ53
— Facundo Terrés Grimaldi (@OffsideStats) June 18, 2022
Quiet Beatle George Harrison kept himself out of the whole rivalry, noting that there were three clubs in Liverpool and he “supported the other one”. The Beatles lead guitarist had the lowest interest in football and was instead seen watching Formula One races and had good friends with F1 driver Emerson Fittipaldi. His son Dhani Harrison, though, is often spotted in Anfield.
Ringo Starr is a fan of Arsenal owing to his stepfather’s liking for the Gunners’ side. As a kid, the drummer said that his stepfather would often take him to Anfield whenever Arsenal were visiting. He reportedly appreciated Liverpool club as he grew up.
Right then, Reds. @LFCTV cameras show the boss is a Beatles fan.
Time for your best Beatles + #LFC puns.
Go! pic.twitter.com/TXmarU1m3q
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 18, 2016
On the other hand, Liverpool’s previous manager, Jurgen Klopp, was a big fan of the Beatles, wearing a t-shirt once with a print of their photograph on it. Long-serving manager Bill Shankly had received a hand note from the band wishing him and his side luck for the FA Cup final of 1965.
The equation in the Merseyside derby is on the odds, as Liverpool are table toppers while Everton are placed 15th after matchday 14. However, Liverpool’s four-match winning sequence was broken after drawing with Newcastle in the middle of the week. Everton, on the other hand, are coming off a 4-0 win against Wolverhampton Wolves during the same matchday.
As Everton host Liverpool at the Goodison Park for the final time at Premier League, here’s a looking at who did Liverpool band the Beatles supported. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
