Liverpool stars share image as entire team makes powerful George Floyd statement

With large swathes of police brutality protests taking place across the world after the death of George Floyd, many sports stars spoke out over the weekend.

Floyd died in the US city of Minneapolis on 25 May after a police officer kept his knee on the right side of his neck for nearly nine minutes.

A number of Liverpool players responded by sharing a picture of the squad kneeling on the Anfield pitch with the caption “Unity is strength #BlackLivesMatter”.

Many other high-profile athletes have also publicly addressed the issue since Floyd’s death on 25 May.

Jadon Sancho

The England and Borussia Dortmund winger lifted his shirt after scoring to reveal a message that read: 'Justice for George Floyd'.

After the game, the 20-year-old said in a Twitter post: “First professional hat trick. A bittersweet moment personally as there are more important things going on in the world today that we must address and help make a change.

“We have to come together as one and fight for justice. We are stronger together! #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd."

Marcus Rashford

On Monday the Manchester United and England striker tweeted: “Black lives matter. Black culture matters. Black communities matter. We matter."

Serena Williams

The tennis great shared a video on Instagram of a young black girl speaking at a public meeting.

In the video, the girl is visibly emotional and tells the audience: "We are black people, and we shouldn't have to feel like this."

Williams said: “I can’t and still can’t find the words to say or express how sad I feel.... but she found them for me.”

Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton posted a video on Instagram, criticising his own sport and the lack of voices supporting the issue. Hamilton said:

"I see those of you who are staying silent, some of you the biggest stars yet you stay silent in the midst of injustice. Not a sign from anybody in my industry which of course is a white dominated sport. I'm one of the only people of colour there yet I stand alone.

“I would have thought by now you would see why this happens and say something about it but you can't stand alongside us. Just know I know who you are and I see you..."

Not long after his post, a number of Formula 1 drivers responded with messages regarding the issue.

Michael Jordan

The basketball icon tweeted: "I see and feel everyone's pain, outrage and frustration. I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of color in our country. We have had enough."

He followed it up with a short video:

Lebron James

Arguably the biggest star in American sport, James highlighted the way Colin Kaepernick knelt at American football games. Former NFL player Kaepernick hasn’t had a team since 2016 after being forced out of the league due to his protests – and has offered to pay for lawyers for Minneapolis protesters.

Coco Gauff

Tennis star Coco Gauff posted a picture on her Instagram stories of herself in a black hooded top with the question “Am I next?”. She also posted a picture of 28 black people whose “lives were ended short due to racism”.