While London is a modern city with an unmistakable charm and swagger, Liverpool is the heart and spiritual home of Britain’s working class. It is a city of people who never flirt with the idea of giving up.
The streets in Liverpool are quiet and tranquil and a sense of silent waiting pervades the air. Narrow lanes are dotted with identical Colonial-style brick houses. The red horizontal flag of Liverpool FC covers the windows of most of the homes. Shops and taxis are also decked out in red banners, scarves and posters. It just shows how much they are obsessed with the team they support.
The people of Liverpool have been experiencing mixed emotions of hope and anxiety ever since the local side made it to the final of the UEFA Champions Trophy a couple of weeks ago. Their eager wait will end on Saturday when Liverpool take on Tottenham Hotspur at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid. The city-dwellers are confident that the Reds will get the better of their north London rivals. “The cup will come home,” a group of diehard fans shouted in union.
As they are certain about Liverpool’s victory, preparations for the celebrations are in full swing in the city. Thousands of Liverpool fans have already reached Madrid to witness the showpiece event. The Liverpool management has provided about 16,000 tickets to the club’s supporters to watch the match at the 63,500-capacity Wanda Metropolitano.
However, reports indicated that over 50,000 Liverpool fans have already descended on the Spanish capital. Football fans from other parts of the UK are also expected to reach Madrid for the high-octane clash.
A surge in chartered flights and private jets is expected ahead of Saturday's match. Reports suggest that more than half of the extra charter flights will be to and from the Liverpool airport.
The Malayali diaspora in Liverpool is also upbeat about Liverpool’s chances in the final. A group of Keralite football fans under the Liverpool Malayali Association (LIMA) gathered at Anfield, the club’s home ground, on Friday to show their support. “Liverpool will win by at least a 4-1 margin," says LIMA secretary Eldhos Sunny.
If that prediction comes true, the city of Liverpool will turn all red tonight!
