Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal are three of the most iconic teams in English football, with the trio having rivalries with one another, dominating the sport for large periods.
Given the height of their footballing prowess, many pundits on British channels have had iconic stints with the aforementioned clubs, which in itself creates good TV, with the personal rivalries carrying onto the panel.
When talking about their surroundings at Anfield last season for an FA Cup tie on ITV, Ian Wright and Roy Keane held different views on the stadium, which shows the difference in their characters.
Ian Wright touched ‘This is Anfield’ sign
Before a rather mundane FA Cup clash between Liverpool and Norwich City, the famous sign came into conversation as the iconic history of their surroundings, with the old fashioned stadium (despite modern upgrades) still relatively unique today, with more and more new grounds being built.
However, the expansions at Anfield allowed major parts of history to remain rather than a soulless new build, with Ian Wright confirming he had in fact touched the famous sign.
Although a tradition for the home side, the former Arsenal man admitted that despite never being a Red, he couldn’t resist his own part of personal history. One for his bucket-list, being able to say he touched the famed sign in his playing days.
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Former England player Ian Wright looks on prior to the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Qualifier group D match between England and Luxembourg at Bet365 Stadium on September 06, 2022 in Stoke on Trent, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Roy Keane mocks Ian Wright
In typical narky manner, Keane responded to the claims, making it quickly known that he hadn’t touched the sign himself, which is obviously no shocks when you consider what the former combative midfielder was, and is like.
He branded the ritual ‘silly’ and ‘childish’, despite it being incredibly important to Liverpool players and something the fans take pride in with the sign so famous, showing the size of the club and its culture.
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Video: Ian Wright and Roy Keane on the ‘This is Anfield’ sign
‘This is Anfield’: What is the sign all about?
The famous sign comes with a famous backstory. It was believed that you wouldn’t score for The Reds again if you didn’t touch the sign. Ludicrous, I know, but it led to some famous folklore at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s crop of elite Reds wouldn’t touch the sign until they won something like so many iconic sides prior, but with all the records they’ve set and trophies won, the group are entitled to touch the sign whenever they want.