Located near the front of Anfield’s iconic stand, it was a creation of the Irish Kop website and first appeared inside the stadium during the 2009-10 season.
Back then, it featured the heads of five revered Reds managers: Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan, Kenny Dalglish and the incumbent Rafael Benitez.
Inspired by a painting by David Neve, the banner is six metres by three metres in size and holds a prominent place among the array of imagery organised by Spion Kop 1906 ahead of each Liverpool home match.
The group behind it follow the criteria that to be added alongside messrs Shankly, Paisley, Fagan, Dalglish and Benitez, a Reds boss would have to win either the league title or European Cup.
It first required a change back in 2019 when Jürgen Klopp’s guiding of the Reds to Champions League glory gained his inclusion alongside those five predecessors.
And Slot’s remarkable achievement of leading Liverpool to league championship joy during his first campaign in charge means planning is already under way for his addition before 2025-26.
“We were coming over to games from Ireland so often, we wanted to add to the atmosphere, and we considered various ideas before going for that one,” Paul Larkin, who founded the Irish Kop, told The Athletic.
“Not many clubs put managers on a pedestal the way we do. Most clubs have banners just about current or ex-players, but Liverpool is different.
“Some people think it’s too soon, but the criteria has always been that if you either win the league or the European Cup, you go on it.
“The majority who help out with the banner think we should get it updated and I agree with them. I’ve asked a graphic designer to come up with some new designs. Then we’ll pick one and get a new version made over in the United States in time for August.
“Slot deserves it.”
He added: “It’s kept with all the Spion Kop flags in a little area behind the Kop. You need to get the lads out of the pub and in the ground around 30 to 40 minutes before kick-off to get set up before it’s too busy.”
Liam Flanagan, a regular at Anfield and one of thousands of members of the Irish Kop, also underscored the positive rationale behind those chosen to be displayed on the banner.
“Some people overthink it,” he said. “Whenever it’s pictured on TV, you get people on social media saying, ‘Where’s Gerard Houllier? Why isn’t he on it?’
“There’s no snub. It’s as simple as Houllier wasn’t on the initial painting that the banner was based on. He won everything else for Liverpool, but he didn’t win either the league or the Champions League. That was the criteria from the artist.”
Held up by four poles when unfurled at games, the banner will make a final appearance in its current form when Liverpool host Crystal Palace on May 25, the day Slot’s squad will get their hands on the Premier League trophy for 2024-25.
“The banner has had a lot of coverage over the years with Match of the Day and Sky Sports using it,” said Ger Kane, fellow supporter and Irish Kop member.
“As well as the great design, it’s the sheer size of it and the position of it just to the side of the goal at the Kop end that makes it stand out.”
