‘Cats’ Lives Matter’ banner flies over Anfield during Liverpool-West Ham game

Callum Boyle

The banner referred to an incident involving Kurt Zouma

A banner which displayed the words “Cats’ Lives Matter” was flown over Anfield during Liverpool’s game against West Ham United on Saturday.

The banner was in reference to West Ham defender Kurt Zouma, who was filmed kicking and slapping his pet cat at his home in Essex last month.

A 'Cats' lives matter' banner was seen flying over Anfield before the game against West Ham pic.twitter.com/UCYWNlLI0b

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Zouma was subsequently fined two weeks’ wages – with all the money donated to an animal charity – whilst animal organisation, the RSPCA, also took his two cats away and into safety as they continued an investigation.

Kurt’s brother Yoan, who plays for National League side Dagenham and Redbridge, was suspended as a result of his involvement in the video.

Despite the incident, David Moyes has continued to select the Frenchman in his starting line-ups, however Zouma has been subjected to several boos and taunts when featuring.

There had been calls from supporters of other clubs for West Ham to sack Zouma, however Gary Neville said that terminating the defender’s contract was not the right cause of action to take.

“Sometimes, with social media, you aren’t sure how some things are going to fly as well or how something is going to grow,” he said on his Sky Sports podcast last month.

“It’s that balancing act of doing the right thing, but trying to stand by your team members and players who have made mistakes.”

Neville also backed Moyes’ handling of the situation after the West Ham boss received widespread criticism for his decision to continue to play him.

“Kurt Zouma made a terrible mistake. The reality of it is that David Moyes was left in a difficult predicament.

“I think he has just about got it right. Some people will say he got it wrong. Some will say he got it right.

“I think it’s very difficult for a manager. The club have to set the tone. If that’s my club, I’m taking that away from the manager. I am protecting the manager.

“Zouma will always regret what he’s done, it was a stupid thing to do.

“Do I think he should never play football again? No, I don’t. I think he should be allowed to play football again.

“Do I think he deserves to be punished, fined two weeks’ wages and banned for two or three games? Yes. So should he have played the other night? Maybe not.”

Liverpool currently lead 1-o in the game at Anfield after Sadio Mané’s 12th goal of the season put Jurgen Klopp’s side ahead at half-time.