‘This is Anfield’ – Hong Kong fan recalls touching forbidden plaque as local Liverpool supporters celebrate long-awaited Premier League title
- Alton Hwang visited Anfield in 2018 at a time when manager Jurgen Klopp banned players from touching the sign until they had won a trophy
- Loyal members of Liverpool supporters’ clubs in Hong Kong rejoice after the club ended their 30-year-wait for a league title
Two years ago, Hong Kong radio producer Alton Hwang performed an act that, at the time, was banned by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp – he touched the famous “This is Anfield” emblem that players pass under before they run on to the field at Liverpool’s intimidating home ground.
Liverpool had won nothing under the German manager up to then but Hwang, like any other devoted fan, refused to let the opportunity pass.
“Klopp said he wouldn’t allow anyone to touch it until they won something, and then they won the Champions League [in 2019],” said Hwang. “Now they can touch it again because they won the English Premier League.
“I was there in Liverpool two years ago and visited Anfield. It was kind of a mission accomplished for me to touch the sign.”
Hwang is among tens of thousands of Liverpool supporters in Hong Kong who are celebrating their team’s first league title since 1990, when Sir David Wilson was governor and Hongkongers were preparing for the return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.