Liverpool is a city of divided loyalties, but with the Champions League final in Madrid right around the corner, it’s the red half of Merseyside that’s currently shouting the loudest, and for the next few days at the very least, the city is dominated by the support for Liverpool F.C.
The Reds have enjoyed a fantastic season, and it’s not over yet. A date with Tottenham Hotspur looms just around the corner, and the red half of the city is in full-support mode. “There's decorations and flags all over the place – from the city centre to the surrounding suburbs,” observes local photographer, Hannah Cassidy. She’s been out capturing a glimpse at the street-level support for Liverpool ahead of the Champions League final in Madrid. “The atmosphere around the city is buzzing,” she said. “The mood of the city is always in good spirits, but the past week or so it’s definitely gone up a level.”
In the Premier League, Liverpool lost only one game all season, narrowly missing out on the title to Manchester City. But despite that impressive domestic campaign combined with the amazing comeback against Barcelona in the Champions League, they could yet end the season without a trophy. The feeling on Merseyside however is a positive one, with fans believing that the heartache of last season’s Champions League final defeat at the hands of Real Madrid has made the team stronger. Flags, banners and bunting is flying high, displayed for all to see throughout the city. "There's nothing quite like the personality and charm of the people of Liverpool." Hannah explains. "Over the past week, I've photographed a lot of the decorated streets and met some great characters within the suburbs and surrounding areas of the city."
So what kind of an impact does the performance of the team have on the city as a whole? “You can't ever walk more than five yards around the city without seeing either an Everton or a Liverpool shirt and both clubs attract a huge amount of visitors to the city on a daily basis,” she said. “However, if Liverpool win you will see the support increase enormously and there’ll be a massive party within the city. I’d love to capture the instant reaction at the final whistle… and the party throughout the whole city afterwards!”
Photography by Hannah Cassidy for SoccerBible.
