In fullKlopp's programme notes: My admiration for Rainbow Laces campaign
Jürgen Klopp has used his column in the official matchday programme for today’s game with Southampton to highlight his admiration for Stonewall’s annual Rainbow Laces campaign.
Earlier this week, the boss met with LFC Women’s centre-back Meikayla Moore to talk about the importance of LGBT+ awareness and inclusion in sport, allyship, being your authentic self, and their thoughts on how the club, its fans and wider society can collectively work together to ensure that football is a safe space for all.
This year’s Rainbow Laces campaign is called ‘Lace Up and Speak Up’, which focuses on opening up the conversation and talking about why the club and its fans support LGBT+ inclusion in sport on and off the pitch.
With the Red Together programme, LFC is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment to all, and continues to instil equality, diversity, and inclusion throughout all of its work, both on and off the pitch.
Read Klopp’s programme notes in full below…
“Good afternoon and welcome back to Anfield for our Premier League game against Southampton. I welcome Ralph Hasenhüttl, his players, staff, officials and supporters of the visitors.
“It’s pretty well known that I think Ralph is a top manager and a really cool guy. He’s someone whom I enjoy speaking to and whose approach to football I really admire. Courageous coach with a clear idea. A proper leader. I think Southampton are very fortunate to have him and I know that feeling is reciprocated.
“A match against Ralph’s Southampton always means one thing: you are in for a fight. We have seen this in previous seasons and I know for a fact we will see it today.
“They have had a full week to prepare, while we of course were in European action only on Wednesday.
“I am writing this column prior to the game against Porto taking place and therefore cannot offer any analysis of how that played out. But it is a factor for us and one we must contend with. We are used to this meanwhile so it’s all good. Not an issue, just information.
“This period is a proper test but one we enjoy, players and staff! It’s a test both physically and mentally. As coaches it means we have to be completely focused on preparation for the next game almost the second the full-time whistle goes on the previous one.
“I hope I say this a lot, I think I do, but in these moments I could not appreciate the amazing support staff I have around me more. And not just the immediate coaching staff or the ones visible who sit with me in the dugout on gameday. The wider team behind the team – the guys whose shoulders we stand on.
“So much planning goes into making sure we can prepare for each game like it is the most important one we will ever play. The energy and commitment to making sure everything in our environment is perfect for elite performance has to be seen to be appreciated. I see it every day at the AXA Training Centre and I appreciate it like crazy.
“We know how privileged we are to do what we do and that so many would give anything to swap places with us and have our experiences. But it doesn’t mean that the many dedicated staff who perform the duties day in and day out don’t feel the strain at certain times. The intensity of the schedule affects them also, but unlike the players, myself and my most senior coaching staff they rarely get the public plaudits.
“What they do in this moment creates a base for the team to flourish. We are so lucky to have them.
You have to accept cookies in order to view this content on our site.
Watch on YouTube“Hopefully it won’t have escaped anyone’s attention that today we highlight the Rainbow Laces campaign. This season it is known as ‘Lace Up and Speak Up’!
“Each year it feels like it gets more prominent and this is important. It is clearly an area in which we as a game, particularly on the men’s side, have far more to do before we can consider it a truly welcoming and inclusive environment for members of the LGBT community.
“I have to be honest, there are times when I personally am guilty of complacency with this issue in particular because to me it is just so normal that people should feel safe to be exactly who they are, free from judgement or prejudice.
“I honestly believe that in the team itself, in this country certainly but also Germany and others, it would be absolutely welcomed. Hand on heart, I think players throughout the professional men’s game would think: cool, delighted you can be yourself, this is how it should be… now let’s work!
“But me saying that and believing that is one thing. The fact that in men’s professional football in the biggest leagues there are no openly gay players means we have more to do and campaigns like this matter so much.
“I was lucky to spend some time with Meikayla Moore from the LFC Women’s team in the build-up to today. It was to create a video for our supporters which would help raise awareness. What an incredible person Meikayla is. Inspirational.
“And I learned from her. I am 54 and I think and I hope a well-educated person on these matters, but she still told me things which opened my eyes and opened my mind. Listening to her was important for me. It broadened my understanding even further.
“This is how we really make the progress whereby those who play and those who support will truly feel free and comfortable to be exactly who they are while being in our game, be it dressing room or the terraces. Fully included, no worry or anxiety to hide their true selves because football has a closed mind.
“I hope all our fans take the opportunity around this fixture to research and look up some of the great work being done in this area. You’re never too old to improve yourself, I’ve learned that. Life is more fun when you are tolerant and inclusive. It’s those who aren’t who are missing out.
“Today as a club and a family of fans we also celebrate the LFC Foundation Community Day, which is an opportunity to showcase all the great work that the charity does both in the local community and around the world.
“I am proud to be an ambassador of LFC Foundation and I have seen first-hand the incredible impact that their work has on young people and their families.
“Without the unwavering support of the Liverpool FC family this important work would not be possible, so from everyone at the club, thank you for the generosity and kindness you have shown and I know you will continue to show.
“Very finally, it’s our third home game this week and therefore our third opportunity for Anfield to do its thing. We need Anfield – in fact today we will really need Anfield. We need Anfield to show its best face. I’m sure it will, it never lets us down.”
This article has been automatically translated and, while all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, some errors in translation are possible. Please refer to the original English-language version of the article for the official version.