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Roy Keane teases Ian Wright for being ‘childish’ over iconic Liverpool tradition

Roy Keane spared Ian Wright no mercy when the two pundits locked horns over a Liverpool tradition that dates back to the Bill Shankly era.

Jurgen Klopp’s side kept themselves on track for an unprecedented quadruple by advancing to the FA Cup quarter-finals. However, they were forced to endure a late rally from Norwich before advancing courtesy of a 2-1 win. And with the Carabao Cup in the bag, Liverpool remain in the hunt to win three more trophies this season.

To that end, Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan has opened up about the pressure Liverpool are putting them under in the title race.

If Liverpool are to win the Quadruple, it will be the first time any side has ever pulled it off. Indeed, here Football 365 looks at other close failures to achieve such a feat over the years.

If Liverpool are to become the first to achieve it, they will rely on an awful amout of luck as well as skill.

One factor that may help them a long is a Liverpool tradition set up at the club under legendary boss Shankly.

Indeed, the Scotsman was the person responsible for the hanging of the famous ‘This Is Anfield’ sign at their ground. The iconic sign hangs over the entrance to the pitch, with Shankly sticking it up as a late intimidation tool to opponents.

Liverpool players though often like to touch the sign for good luck.

However, Arsenal legend Wright admits he used to touch the sign himself whenever as an opposition player visiting Anfield.

Keane with a dead-pan response on This is Anfield sign

Typically, that tradition was not replicated by Keane, with the Manchester United icon branding Wright “childish” for doing so.

Asked by host Mark Pougatch if he touched the sign, Wright replied: “Course, but I didn’t touch it when we were going out with the guys.

“When you went out for the warm-up, to look around, you touched it because it is iconic. I had to touch it, I’m not going to lie.

“I didn’t want them to see me because I didn’t want them to feel it was disrespectful, because it’s not that it was disrespectful, I just wanted to touch that sign.”

Asked the same question, Keane was predictably blunt and dead-pan in his response.

“Of course not,” Keane replied. “No point.

“I think it’s OK, it’s a tradition for the English players, but not for the opposition players.

“I’m not sure why you touched it, Wrighty. It’s silly, it’s very childish.”

“It’s an unbelievable thing to do,” Wright interjected.

“It’s childish,” Keane insisted. “What benefit did you get out of it?”

“I touched it,” Wright responded. “I’m one of the people that has touched that, because I bet there’s a lot of fans that haven’t touched that.”

Jurgen Klopp makes rule change over Liverpool tradition

Liverpool boss Klopp has revealed he has told his players not to touch the sign until they have won a trophy with the Reds.

However, that rule is fast running out with six more players lifting their first silverware for the club on Sunday.

“I’ve told my players not to touch the ‘This Is Anfield’ sign until they win something,” Klopp declared six years ago.

“It’s a sign of respect. I touched it when I was manager of Borussia Dortmund but we lost 4-0 [a pre-season].”

Midfielder Thiago was one man who followed his boss’ orders immediately, explaining upon his arrival from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2020: “To touch that symbol we have to deserve it to win as many trophies as we can.

“That is why today I will respect that tradition.”

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