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Liverpool fans say ‘there will be tears’ as they await victory

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Stewart Whittingham

BBC News, Liverpool

Rumeana Jahangir

BBC News, Liverpool

Reuters man covered in red face paint and wearing a red nose and red head banner.Reuters

Fans are looking forward to a party after being unable to celebrate during the pandemic

Anticipation is building among Liverpool FC fans as they wait to see if their team can triumph in the Premier League later.

Liverpool currently have 79 points and are 12 points clear at the top, with four games to go for second-placed Arsenal.

The Reds must win or draw against Tottenham at Anfield before they can be declared champions.

They last won the league in 2020 after a 30-year wait but the impact of coronavirus restricted public celebrations.

Now fans are hoping to party later as they mark a successful first season for manager Arne Slot, who took over last year.

Local fan Joe Blott, 64, said: “It will be pretty amazing as we won the last one during the pandemic when we couldn’t really celebrate.

“When we were winning everything in the 80s, we kind of took it for granted but not now.”

EPA Five Liverpool fans sit on top of a red portakabin above fans watching from a staircase outside the cabinEPA

About 60,000 fans will fill the stadium with many more watching across the city

Joe Blott in a red Liverpool scarf standing for a camera shot on the pavement near Stanley Park, with cars travelling on the road to the right

Joe Blott says fans cannot take victories for granted like they did in the 1980s

Retired tanner Fred Kavanagh, 82, said: “It will mean everything to win. I have supported them for a long time and to see them win the title will be amazing.”

He travelled to sunny Anfield with his son and teenage grandson from Clonmel in the Republic of Ireland.

Fred Jnr, 56, said: “It’s going to be very emotional – I am sure there will be a few tears.

“I have my handkerchief ready.”

Group picture of Fred in dark baseball cap and glasses with his son in red Liverpool scarf and grandson in a Liverpool shirt

Fred Kavanagh, 83, travelled with his son, also called Fred, and 17-year-old grandson Christopher from the Republic of Ireland for the match

Reuters fans sit in small grounps acorss a flat green in front of the stadiumReuters

Fans soak in the sunshine ahead of the game at Anfield

Peter Tyson, from Whitehaven, Cumbria, says he has seen “the highs and lows”, including in Istanbul in 2005, when the team won the Champions League.

The 59-year-old says: “This will mean the world to me. I’m sure there will be a few tears.”

Reuters Liverpool-branded coach with the squad drives through the red mist from flares, with fans crowding on the pavements and police officers with high-visibility coats postioned aroundReuters

The team bus was shrouded in red mist as fans let off flares

Reuters mist of red from flares let off by a row of young fans standing in front of houses near the stadiumReuters

Fans were in high spirits before kick-off

Carol Timewell, from Wigan in Greater Manchester, says she is expecting an “incredible” experience as she looks forward to seeing the team win the league.

“The last one was a bit subdued but we can celebrate this one properly.”

EPA Man in red Liverpool shirt and baseball cap holds his fist up in joy from the car he is driving. He is driving in front of a terrace of houses where there is big mural saying You'll Never Walk Alone.EPA

There was even more demand for tickets for this match

EPA Views of fans walking to the stadium with flags draped on their back, showing Arne Slot and a slot machine. The flags say Arne's slot machineEPA

A victory will mark a remarkable first season in charge of Liverpool for manager Arne Slot

Liverpool-born Robin Forrest, 54, had travelled from Highgate, north London, for the game with his two sons and daughter.

He said: “It will feel extra special that I’ll be able to celebrate a title win with my children.

“I was here in 1988 when we beat Spurs too so I’m very confident.”

Retired mechanic Alan Anderson, from Walton in Liverpool, added: “This will mean the world to me – everything.

“It will feel amazing to be able to celebrate this one properly as the last one was during Covid.”


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