The folk behind the Liverpool Football Club twitter account have been heavily criticised this afternoon following their rather self-glorifying tweet on the death of Johan Cruyff.
The death of the great man - there is a case to be made that he is the greatest footballer ever to die - has provoked a wave of heartfelt tributes from today's professionals. Encomia are flying in from all across the football world.
The twitter accounts of the world's grandest football clubs have all chipped in.
Most have attested to Cruyff's peerless artistry as a footballer, his seismic influence on the game, his charisma, his stunning performances for Ajax, Barcelona and Holland, his magnificent achievements as a manager...
Liverpool's tweet, on the other hand, was keen to remind us how much Cruyff thought of Liverpool.
Rest in peace, Johan Cruyff. pic.twitter.com/hdsems6j5g
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 24, 2016
The tweet appears to have given ammunition to the large body of (mostly Manchester United) fans on twitter who believe that Liverpool is a club drowning in solipsism.
You understand it's not us saying this. Just what everyone else is saying.
So your tribute to Johan Cruyff is him paying tribute to you?
— Billy Meredith (@UrmstonLordMUFC) March 24, 2016
@LFC The first thing in this tweet... 'quick, how can we reference him to us?' instead of remembering what he was and what he achieved.
— TheEvertonForum.com (@TheEFCForum) March 24, 2016
@LFC What did he think of Istanbul?
— Kristian vS Hæhre (@vonstrenginho) March 24, 2016
Hey @LFC (and fans), how about *not* using Johan Cruyff's death as a marketing tool for how passionate Liverpool's fans are? Cheers.
— Si (@PhantomGoal) March 24, 2016
@LFC not sure if a praise to Liverpool fans is the most appropriate message right now! It's about Cruyff, not about us. Remove it.
— Liverpool Red (@lfcredynwa) March 24, 2016
@LFC This is inappropriate - he's one of the best to ever play the game and he deserves better. #RIPCruyff
— Andrew McGarry (@Sporting_Tragic) March 24, 2016
All told, the PR people at Liverpool were a bit tardy about responding to the social media disgust, but in the last few minutes, they have tweeted this rather less Liverpool-centric tribute.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Johan Cruyff – a true great. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/TkmIF5i6EY
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 24, 2016
