You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Liverpool FC fans heading to Manchester for tonight’s Europa League second leg were greeted by the insult “Murderers”.

The slur was painted on a giant banner hanging from a bridge at the end of the M602 motorway in Salford – the route many Reds fans will take if they travel by road to Old Trafford.

The banner has the date of the Hillsborough disaster - in which 96 Liverpool fans died - marked on it.

ECHO Liverpool FC reporter James Pearce and sports reporter Neil Jones were among those to spot it.

Watch: ECHO Liverpool FC reporters James Pearce and Neil Jones

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

James tweeted: “Huge banner hung from the bridge at the end of the M602 reads ‘murderers’”, while Neil said: “Murderers” banner hung over a bridge on the M602 into Manchester.”

During last week’s first leg at Anfield – won 2-0 by Liverpool – Reds supporters faced offensive Hillsborough chants from some Manchester United fans.

The latest stunt has been roundly condemned by fans on Twitter – with some pointing to UEFA’s decision not to punish the club for the unsavoury behaviour of supporters last week.

Karl Hyland said: “This is what happens when uefa allow the fans to chant what they want they think they’re untouchable sickening.”, while Jacob Edwards posted: “disgusting behaviour from them yet again. UEFA should’ve nipped it in the bud last week.”

Ian Longland wrote: “why does that not bloody suprise me.sad what some ‘fans’ will do. Knocking em out of the Europa league tonight will show em.”

Yohane France said it was “pathetic”, while James Kirton said: “shocking!! I hope our own fans don’t rise to it but I’ve seen it before. Idiotic minority on both sides.”

Connor Johansen was one of many to see the lighter side, writing: “murdered their hopes in Europe mate weird that they shout about that #LFC”

The banner has now been taken down.