Liverpool has warned supporters planning to welcome the team bus to Anfield on Sunday that they must do so in a careful and safe manner.
It’s been a long-held tradition that fans greet the team’s arrival ahead of high-profile games – in fact, the Liverpool convention before bigger matches has even been copied by clubs like Everton and Aston Villa in recent years. But invariably it can lead to hold-ups and complications, which can then impact the team’s preparations.
That is something Slot is keen to avoid – the Reds boss has stressed that Sunday’s potential title-clincher against Tottenham Hotspur should be treated as any other game. With that in mind, Liverpool has issued a statement warning fans that it must abide by guidance set out by police and matchday staff outside the ground to ensure the team bus arrives in an orderly fashion.
“Ahead of today’s game against Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool FC would like to remind supporters that everyone’s safety continues to be the number one priority on matchday,” the club said via its website.
“The club would like supporters to keep welcoming the team bus – it’s a big part of the Anfield pre-match atmosphere – but to do that safely, the road must be kept clear on Anfield Road. If it’s blocked, there will be no choice but to reroute the team bus.
“Fans attending the match can help to make sure the team gets the welcome they deserve without compromising safety by staying on the footpaths, staying off the road and by using the whole length of Anfield Road. Rerouting the team bus is not something the club wants to do for any game, but it is something that will happen if the route is deemed unsafe.
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“LFC’s safety team and Merseyside Police officers will be coordinating the operation on Anfield Road today. Please support the guidance from the police and stewards if asked to move to a safer position in order for the team bus to pass safely and arrive at the stadium in good time.”
Liverpool had to reroute its arrival ahead of the Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain last month, denying the Reds what Slot described as a “beautiful moment” with the fans. PSG’s bus also had to take a different path to the ground, as did Manchester City’s coach for December’s fixture at Anfield.
