This is a real specificity in England, in a country where Roman Catholics represent only 7% of the population. Anglicans are the majority, roughly one in two Britons. To understand the specificity of Liverpool, you have to go back to 1840: the Great Famine struck Ireland, just opposite, 200 km as the crow flies. Thousands of Irish emigrated and found themselves in Liverpool, particularly in the northern districts, which today still house the stadiums of the two clubs in the city. Catholics quickly represent 25% of the population. The situation became tense with the Anglicans, to such an extent that in 1909, violent clashes opposed the two communities. Thousands of families are moving. Because of these tensions, Liverpool is then compared to Belfast, Northern Ireland.
As the 20th century progressed, religious affiliation faded, as did the divisions between communities. But Liverpool (500,000 inhabitants) remains a city with a strong Catholic heritage, unlike its neighbor Manchester, for example. A few years ago, former Prime Minister Tony Blair converted to Catholicism. Why ? Because he was brought there by his wife Cherie, a staunch Catholic from Liverpool.
Everton, Liverpool’s first club was created in 1878 by a Catholic parish. And initially only Catholics, often of Irish origin, played there. Then Everton opens up to Anglicans. The Liverpool Football Club appears, but in the same area, just next door. And even today, among his supporters, there are many families of Catholic origin. Hence the frequent comparison with Celtic Glasgow, the predominantly Catholic Scottish club in opposition to the Protestant Glasgow Rangers. In 1989, after the Hillsborough tragedy, which saw the death of 97 Liverpool supporters, the tribute ceremony brought together a huge crowd in the city’s cathedral, the largest Catholic building in the United Kingdom.
Even today, several players were trained in Catholic schools, such as defender Trent Alexander Arnold. And then there is of course the emblem, the chant of the supporters, the famous You’ll never walk alonea pop hit with somewhat biblical accents…
It is in this landscape that a new fact appeared: the presence of Muslim star players, star attackers: the Senegalese Sadio Mané, and even more the Egyptian Mohammed Salah, top scorer in the English championship. Both players make no secret of their faith and often observe a prayer after their goals. A very serious academic study has shown that since their arrival, acts of Islamophobia have decreased in Liverpool. This development is all the more important as the city also has the oldest black community in the United Kingdom.
The Reds fans, who spend their time singing during games, have even created a new anthem in praise of Salah. Where they sing: “If he scores another few, I’ll be Muslim too” (“If he scores a few more goals, I will become a Muslim too”). Liverpool is definitely not a club like the others.