Manchester United team bus suffers damage on the way into Anfield

The Manchester United squad's journey to Anfield ahead of Sunday's highly anticipated Premier League battle against Liverpool took a turbulent turn hours before kick-off as the team bus was pelted by a projectile thrown by a purported Liverpool supporter.

Eyewitness reports indicate that a bottle was thrown at the front coach, resulting in partial damage to an upper-deck window. Fortunately, despite the impact, the damage was contained, allowing the team to proceed to the stadium without further incident.

Footage circulating on social media seems to capture the moment when the projectile was hurled at the bus. Chants and provocative slogans filled the air as the bus passed through the crowd. Individuals in the video were seen carrying a glass bottle, subsequently hurling it at the team vehicle.

Not an isolated occurrence

Both Manchester United and Liverpool are yet to officially confirm the occurrence of the incident preceding Sunday's match. However, such an occurrence isn't unprecedented in clashes involving Liverpool.

Previous instances of opposition team bus attacks, notably Manchester City's in 2018 during a Champions League quarter-final tie and a similar event in 2022, highlight a concerning pattern.

While Greater Manchester Police investigated an incident involving Liverpool's team coach following a previous match against City, the security measures surrounding such arrivals continue to raise concerns regarding the safety and protection of visiting teams.

Players unaffected

Despite the episode, the Manchester United squad were able to arrive at Anfield without delat, allowing players and staff to proceed with their pre-match routines ahead of the scheduled kick-off at 4.30pm (local time).

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool hold a significant 10-point lead over their historic rivals ahead of the game and will be hoping to return to the top of the table with a win.