Top of the Kops

How song by Manchester band became an Anfield hit

- By RYAN PATON

Liverpool-born Saul Davies performing with James in America last year and, above, Mohamed Salah

WHEN James released their hit Sit Down in 1991, the band could never have imagined it would one day be adopted as a football terrace anthem.

Each member of the nine-piece group has ties to Manchester, but it is actually the red half of Liverpool that has embraced the classic song, as a way to hail their talismanic forward Mohamed Salah.

It was during the Egyptian's record-breaking first season at the club in 2017/18 when the song caught on and guitarist Saul Davies told the ECHO he was thrilled to find out the band's tune had found an unexpected new home.

He said: "Somebody said to me, 'The Scousers have nicked Sit Down!' I was watching a game and I was like, 'Oh yeah they have, they've had it away. That's amazing."

Saul was flattered to discover supporters had adopted the song for such an important player.

He added: "I just thought it was absolutely beautiful. He's not just a hugely significant global footballer, but he's also a hugely significant global figure.

"For those fans in whatever pub it was near Anfield that decided to put that melody to his name, I just think it was brilliantly funny.