Tomorrow: Liverpool – Real Madrid in the Champions League. Time to analyse the crest of the rivals. BTW: I am a Real supporter.
An introduction to the history of Liverpool FC
Liverpool Football Club, founded in 1892, is one of the most successful clubs in football history. Based at Anfield Road in Liverpool, the club has won as many as 6 UEFA Champions League trophies (years: 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005, 2019). Liverpool also boast numerous domestic titles, including 19 FA Cup titles and eight FA Cups. The club’s anthem, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, is a symbol of the fans’ unity and support for the team.
Liverpool – Real Madrid match 27 November 2024
Liverpool’s meeting with Real Madrid is part of their long rivalry in European competition. Throughout history before this match, the two clubs have faced each other 11 times, with a balance:
- Real Madrid: 7 wins
- Liverpool: 3 wins
- Draws: 1
Real Madrid have scored 17 goals in these encounters, while Liverpool have scored 10. The match on 27 November 2024 is a vital fixture in the Champions League group stage.
Analysis of Liverpool’s coat of arms
Denotation
The coat of arms depicts:
- A red bird (liverbird) in the centre, being the symbol of the city of Liverpool.
- The text ‘Liverpool Football Club’ in the centre.
- The words ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ at the top, under a decorative arch.
- Two flames on the sides, symbolising the memory of the victims of the Hillsborough tragedy.
- The date ‘Est. 1892′, referring to the year the club was founded.
Connotation
The coat of arms refers to:
- Liverbird. The mythical bird that is the sign of Liverpool, linking the city’s maritime history with its identity.
- You’ll Never Walk Alone. The value of unity, support and steadfastness – the song is the club anthem, sung at the stadium before every game.
- Flames. A remembrance of solidarity and respect for the victims of the club’s tragic history.
Commutation test. Liverpool – Real Madrid
Replacement of elements in the coat of arms:
- Liverbird → replacing another bird (e.g. eagle) would immediately change the connection of the coat of arms with Liverpool, taking away its unique character.
- You’ll Never Walk Alone → changing the motto to a neutral phrase would weaken the emotional message of the coat of arms.
- Flames → removing them would deprive the coat of arms of the Hillsborough tragedy remembrance element that is central to the club’s identity.
On 15 April 1989, during the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield, crowd mismanagement and overcrowding in the Leppings Lane stand caused the Hillsborough tragedy. This disaster resulted in the deaths of 97 Liverpool fans and left hundreds injured. The event marked one of the most tragic moments in UK sports history and prompted significant changes in stadium safety.
Liverpool – Real Madrid. Myth analysis
According to Barthes’ theory, Liverpool’s crest functions as a myth symbolising more than a sports club. The message ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ creates a myth of togetherness, solidarity and hope, which attracts not only football fans but also people looking for inspiration. The Liverbird, meanwhile, becomes the myth of the urban hero, representing the strength and spirit of Liverpool.
Interpretation of the slogan ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’
The slogan signifies that neither the players nor the supporters are ever alone, regardless of the circumstances – whether in victory or in difficult times. It originated from the 1945 musical Carousel and was turned into an anthem by Liverpool supporters in the 1960s, highlighting their steadfast loyalty.
In the context of semiotics, the slogan acts as a symbol, which has acquired a global meaning of solidarity, going far beyond the world of football.