Real Madrid‘s unusual decision to play ‘You’ll never walk alone’ around the Santiago Bernabeu following their Champions League victory over Liverpool on Wednesday was done as a mark of respect.
Karim Benzema’s solo strike was the difference at the Santiago Bernabeu as the visitors from Merseyside slipped to an eventual 6-2 aggregate defeat after losing 1-0 on the night in Spain.
However, instead of the 14-times Champions League winners playing their usual ‘Hala Madrid’ anthem around the 81,000 capacity stadium, Liverpool’s historic anthem was instead blared out of speakers.
The touching moment saw both teams supporters come together as scarves and flags of Real Madrid and Liverpool were held aloft and the famous words of ‘You’ll never walk alone’ echoed around the venue.
Instead of proceeding immediately down the tunnel following their Champions League exit, Liverpool players stuck around on the pitch and were seen embracing and shaking hands with their Madrid counterparts in the aftermath of defeat.
Liverpool and Real Madrid players embraced at full-time as ‘You’ll never walk alone’ rang round the Spanish stadium
Neither Liverpool or Real Madrid players rushed off down the tunnel at the end of the good-natured match
Madrid supporters held up their scarves to join Liverpool fans singing their famous anthem
Now the reason for the change in music has been revealed, with Madrid wanting to demonstrate their gratitude for Liverpool previously paying tribute to the club’s honorary president Amancio Amaro.
Amaro played 471 games for the LaLiga giants and scored 155 goals during a spell in the Spanish capital between 1962 and 1976.
He died on February 21 at the age of 83 and was remembered by Madrid as being ‘one of the great legends of our club and of world football’.
Liverpool players stuck around after full-time to show their respects to their travelling supporters
Madrid decided to play the Liverpool song after the Reds previously paid tribute to the passing of the Spanish sides club legen Amancio Amaro (right)
Liverpool fans held their scarves aloft at full-time in a show of support with Madrid’s decision to play the famous song
Liverpool laid flowers prior to their first-leg Anfield defeat against Madrid and were thanked by the Spanish side’s rendition of the Reds trademark fan anthem.
Former Liverpool and Real Madrid players Steve McManaman and Michael Owen both labelled the gesture as a ‘class act’ at full-time while working as pundits on BT Sport.
‘Class club, lot of respect between the two teams, wasn’t a bad-tempered game at all and (Anthem) it’s a nice touch,’ said Owen.
‘Very classy from a fantastic club but Madrid were the worthy winners tonight, the best team best team gets through,’ added McManaman.
