Liverpool
United and Liverpool Secure Removal of Grok Posts from X After AI-Generated Abuse
Man Utd and Liverpool forced Grok posts off X after AI-produced posts mocking past tragedies online.
Manchester United and Liverpool successfully persuaded the social media platform X to remove a series of posts generated by Grok that clubs described as “sickening and irresponsible.” The posts, reported by The Athletic, referenced the 1958 Munich air disaster, the fatal crowd crush at Hillsborough in 1989 and the tragic passing of Liverpool forward Diogo Jota last summer. The material was taken down later that same Sunday.
The incident underlines how a long-standing problem has migrated into the digital age. What supporters call “tragedy chanting”—the open mocking of events that have caused real human loss—has existed in stadiums and on walls for decades; social media and AI are now extensions of that conduct. The clubs most affected, the two most successful in English soccer history who have both been touched by notable tragedies, have faced this abuse regularly.
In March 2023, the managers of both clubs—then Erik ten Hag and Jürgen Klopp—issued a joint statement on the subject. “It is unacceptable to use the loss of life—in relation to any tragedy—to score points, and it is time for it to stop,” Ten Hag wrote. Klopp added: “We do want the noise, we do want the occasion to be partisan and we do want the atmosphere to be electric. What we do not want is anything that goes beyond this and this applies especially to the kind of chants that have no place in football.” Those words did not end the behaviour.
As recently as February, Nottingham Forest warned fans against tragedy chanting ahead of Liverpool’s visit. Earlier this year a Liverpool supporter received a three-year ban from attending all soccer matches after chanting about the death of two Leeds United fans.
Social media can provide anonymity that facilitates abuse, and the U.K. government has moved to limit how AI tools can be used in this way. Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne called the posts “appalling and completely unacceptable,” predicting that they “will fill the vast majority of fans with horror and disgust.” “It’s shocking and upsetting that hate-filled language like this can be generated by Grok on such a major platform,” Byrne told The Athletic. The member of U.K. parliament also questioned “how this was allowed to happen,” pointing out: “Technology companies have a responsibility to ensure their tools do not produce or amplify abuse.” The Online Safety Act launched in 2023 deems that spreading “threatening communications” is considered a criminal offence. A spokesperson for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said: “These posts are sickening and irresponsible. They go against British values and decency.”
Bournemouth
Iraola Highlights Liverpool Rest Edge Before Bournemouth Meeting
Iraola says Liverpool may have an edge from extra rest ahead of Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium reunion.
Andoni Iraola has suggested Liverpool’s extra recovery time could tilt Sunday’s meeting in their favour at the Vitality Stadium.
Liverpool arrived into the fixture after Tuesday’s Carabao Cup third-round win over Tottenham Hotspur, where a rotated side claimed a 3-1 victory. Bournemouth, by contrast, were in Europa League action on Thursday and returned from their trip to Real Sociedad with a 2-1 win, earned through goals from Justin Kluivert and Rayan.
Speaking in his prematch press conference, Iraola was clear about the scheduling imbalance. “I think we have an advantage,” he said. “Most of the times it has been the opposite. We have been the team that played last, but this time we played two days before they played.
“I think there should be an advantage there, but also I know where we are going, and I know what they have there, not only the stadium but overall.
“When you see the number of games they have lost in a long while [just three defeats in 2026], you realize how difficult it is to beat Bournemouth.”
Liverpool were able to use younger players and lesser-used squad members against Spurs, while Marco Rose selected a full-strength Bournemouth line-up in San Sebastián. On that basis, the Reds are expected to arrive fresher for Iraola’s reunion.
Even so, the Bournemouth boss will have noticed Liverpool’s flat display in last Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Fulham. After their victory over Atlético Madrid only a few days earlier, Liverpool appeared drained at Anfield and struggled to impose themselves in a match that finished without a goal.
That pattern is not new. In the 11 Liverpool matches that have followed midweek trips this calendar year, they have won only six. Three draws and two defeats sit alongside that return, including one loss at Bournemouth in January. For Iraola, the recent numbers offer reason to believe this could be a tighter contest than the schedule alone might suggest.
Bournemouth
Iraola and Klopp back Wirtz amid rising scrutiny
Iraola and Klopp defend Wirtz as criticism grows, stressing his team role and work rate.
Andoni Iraola has offered firm backing to Florian Wirtz as criticism of the Liverpool midfielder continues to build, aligning himself with the view already expressed by Jürgen Klopp.
Wirtz has faced increasing scrutiny over a modest return of goals and assists, with frustration around his output rising after each passing week. Yet Iraola was clear in his defence ahead of Liverpool’s visit to Bournemouth, stressing that the German should be assessed in the same way as every other player.
“He should be judged like everybody else, whether he plays well or doesn’t play well” Iraola told reporters at his Friday news conference. “Mostly I always say how does the team play when you are on the pitch? I am very happy with Florian, I rate him very highly, he understands what we need from him. He is trying to help in every aspect of the game.
“Obviously we want him to have assists and goals also, but he is helping us in a lot of different areas.”
Klopp has also defended Wirtz this week after naming his first squad since becoming Germany head coach. The former Liverpool manager selected two separate squads of 44 players for the upcoming three-week international break, with Wirtz included among them.
Asked about the player’s recent displays, Klopp was equally supportive. “I think he’s the player who covered the most ground at Liverpool this season, so the willingness is absolutely there,” Klopp told media on Thursday.
“We have to move away from expecting to always see special moments in front of goal from him. He needs to help us as a team. We have to make sure Flo feels comfortable with us. When the team works, every player shines as a result.
“So we have to be satisfied when Flo plays a game in which he gave everything but didn’t register a goal or assist. We need to give the boy the feeling, ‘That was more than good enough today. You helped us as a team.’”
There is little mystery behind the growing frustration. Wirtz arrived with significant expectation, and supporters have naturally wanted more decisive contributions. Still, his work without the ball has improved under Iraola, with the midfielder leading his teammates for possession won in the final third and distance covered per 90 minutes in the Premier League. Even so, when measured against other attacking midfielders at England’s elite sides last season, he fell short.
Arsenal
Iraola’s selection choices may shape Liverpool’s push to keep Ngumoha
Liverpool want a new deal for Rio Ngumoha as Arsenal’s interest grows and Iraola’s minutes may prove decisive.
Liverpool are working to secure Rio Ngumoha on a new contract as interest from Arsenal continues to grow around the teenage winger.
Ngumoha has already made five more appearances for Liverpool this season and remains central to the club’s first-team thinking. That is notable given the summer arrivals of Bradley Barcola and Victor Muñoz, both of whom operate in the same left-wing role that suits the youngster best.
The situation is made more pressing by the fact that his current deal runs until 2028, with no agreement yet in place on an extension. David Ornstein has confirmed Arsenal’s interest on The Athletic FC podcast, while also stressing that Liverpool are not ready to entertain a sale.
“I think there is some interest from Arsenal in Rio Ngumoha,” said Ornstein. “There’s surely interest from lots of clubs in him, because he’s such a precocious talent. I did hear over the summer that they like him. They’re allowed to like him; that’s their prerogative. It doesn’t mean Liverpool are going to sell him.
“They want to renew his contract. He’s 18 and tied down at Anfield until 2028. I don’t know of an agreement yet on a new deal, so clearly that’s something they’ll try to progress.”
Liverpool regard the teenager as untouchable after already turning away interest from Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig last summer. Even so, the amount of football he receives under Andoni Iraola could prove important in the months ahead.
With Barcola, Muñoz and Cody Gakpo among the options on the flanks, there is pressure on the manager to keep Ngumoha involved and avoid any frustration while Liverpool work on a renewal.
“I heard Arsenal have some interest in him, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see what happens with him and Liverpool because there is no suggestion he’s unhappy there,” Ornstein added.
“I reported over the summer that Ngumoha was actually Bayern Munich’s top target at one point to strengthen in the wing position. They’d done quite a lot of work on it, but it didn’t develop. Liverpool had no interest in trading him.
“RB Leipzig were another club credited with interest. What will be really interesting is to see how much game time he gets at Liverpool, because wingers are the big thing for Andoni Iraola.
“You would expect him to be a real asset for them. Let’s see how it develops.”
Arsenal’s interest is also tied to their lack of depth on the left side. Christos Tzolis has arrived from Club Brugge, but the loss of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard has left the area short of natural options.
At present, Tzolis is mainly competing with Eberechi Eze, who is more naturally suited to central attacking midfield. Mikel Arteta will want reinforcements soon, especially after Arsenal’s unsuccessful attempt to sign Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior over the summer.
