Liverpool fans’ reaction to their second goal in the Premier League title-clinching win against Tottenham caused a tremor on the Richter scale, scientists have revealed.
Spurs scored the first goal in Sunday’s game at Anfield – but Liverpool equalised in the 24th minute and eventually won 5-1.
Not only did the result secure Liverpool’s 20th league title, Alexis Mac Allister’s first goal also registered 1.74 on the Richter scale – just shy of the 2.0 needed for a minor earthquake.
Scientists from the University of Liverpool were on the ground at the game and correlated the seismic signals they recorded with moments of excitement throughout the game.
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The data reveals Mohamed Salah’s goal was the second-largest seismic activity – registering 1.60 on the scale.
The third was Destiny Udogie’s own goal in the second half – at 1.35 – and fourth was Cody Gakpo’s strike in the first – at 1.03.
Dr Farnaz Kamranzad, of the university’s Department of Earth, Ocean, and Environmental Sciences, said: “Who knew that football fans could generate seismic energy? This experiment shows us that science is everywhere, even hidden beneath the roar of a goal at Anfield!
“Incredibly, we recorded six seismic events with equivalent Richter magnitudes from 0.7 to 1.75.
“These were small tremors, not strong enough to be felt in the stands, but powerful enough to leave a clear and lasting mark at Anfield.
“Every cheer, every celebration, leaves a trace beneath our feet, a seismic fingerprint of collective joy, written into the Earth’s memory long after the final whistle!”
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His colleague Dr Antoine Septier added: “The experiment was an exciting experience, demonstrating that science can be both engaging and accessible to the public.
“I hope that our work inspires a new generation of seismologists and fosters a broader appreciation for the scientific process.”
The result means Liverpool can now claim to be the most successful team in English men’s football history, with the club level with Manchester United on 20 league titles but ahead of their rivals in terms of European Cup triumphs, six to three.
