Liverpool vs Man United game sparks complaints from colour-blind fans

Liverpool's Thiago Alcantara and Manchester United's Paul Pogba. [Reuters]

Sunday’s Premier League game between Liverpool and Manchester United prompted “hundreds” of complaints from fans affected by colour blindness as they struggled to distinguish between the two kits on TV, Colour Blind Awareness CEO Kathryn Albany-Ward said.

United have used a white-and-black change kit this season but switched to what supplier Adidas described as a “legend earth green” strip against Liverpool, who wore their traditional red outfit.

“It happens all the time,” Albany-Ward told ESPN. “We have had Southampton v Sheffield United and recently Liverpool v Man United.

“But Sunday was the most kit clash complaints we have ever had. We had hundreds and spent all morning trying to collate them all.

Manchester United's Edinson Cavani, center right, reaches for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021. (Phil Noble/Pool via AP)

“It is a really common problem, and it is a big problem because of the amount of people affected. It affects one in 12 people.”

“The Premier League does act, and they do notify the clubs, as they know when these clashes will happen,” Albany-Ward said.

“They told United of this issue and United suggested a solution, but was not sufficient.”