Liverpool Fans Flock to NZ for Title Celebration

Liverpool embarked on their Premier League triumph procession following the lifting of the division trophy on Sunday.

The Reds were crowned champions at the end of April in Arne Slot In their first season under his leadership, they had to patiently await the culmination of the season’s final match before finally getting their hands on the trophy.

Virgil van Dijk hoisted the trophy at Anfield in front of a full house, and the Liverpool team members along with their staff hit the streets of Liverpool on Monday as throngs gathered alongside the routes and thoroughfares.

Despite staying up partying until midnight, the Reds were met by throngs of fans as they arrived. At Crewe station, supporters packed along the platform, shouting and vying for spots on trains heading to the event.

Once Liverpool secured their 20th league championship and celebrated by adding another trophy to their champion’s wall, supporters began flocking in for the festivities. They were already adorned with flares, balloons, and some had even climbed onto traffic lights.

A number of fans gathered outside the Shankly Gates while waiting for the commencement of the parade, approximately two hours before it was set to begin.

WARNING: Strong language

Fans journeyed from places like Birmingham to mark the championship victory and bid adieu to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was set to depart for Real Madrid after saying his last goodbyes.

Alexander-Arnold was also present at the event one day earlier, showing up wearing a Liverpool tracksuit with his hood up and dark sunglasses, the medal still hanging around his neck.

His companion, Estelle Behnke, arrived with his sibling as well; however, they weren’t photographed together.

On Monday though, Liverpool uploaded an official video of the parade onto their YouTube channel, attracting tens of thousands of viewers.

They set off just after 2pm, with the likes of van Dijk and Salah dancing early doors on top of the bus.

Some fans donned Arne Slot cardboard cutouts, with the likes of Gary McAllister, Jason McAteer and Neil Mellor speaking on the YouTube stream. Slot didn't take long to stand up on the bus and start fist pumping in the direction of the fans.

It was an abysmal day in the city, but that didn't stop the fans turning out in their numbers.

Colorful confetti rained down as the squad proceeded through the urban area, escorted by officers with a crowd of supporters pursuing them all the way.

The Liverpool bus for the celebration featured the word 'champions,' alongside an image of the Premier League trophy and the phrase 'ours again.'

Pyrotechnics were reportedly banned on many of the trains throughout the city, yet this did not prevent supporters from setting them off as the parade went by.

Cody Gakpo sported his sunglasses at a jaunty angle along with a tilted cap, and Ibrahima Konate took charge of a dance move as the bus carried on down the path.

Reds owner John W Henry settled into his seat on the bus, possibly pondering the British weather, as he boarded.

With each passing moment, as additional supporters poured in, Alexander-Arnold was noticed standing upright at the rear of the bus, his arms extended outward, beside Dominik Szoboslai, whose damp locks hung over his forehead, clutching an inflatable replica of the trophy.

The procession took place over a 16-kilometer path. It began at Allerton Maze and moved northward alongside Queens Drive, following much of the same course as in 2019 – the year the Reds clinched their most recent championship.

Several roads were closed because of the event, and Liverpool City Council advised strongly against driving.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile failed to hold it together during the celebrations, first breaking down during the rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone.

He then sat along on the pitch, before crying more as he embraced his family. It was a far cry from the boos he received when he was substituted on against Arsenal, and Slot expressed gratitude to the fans for staying united. .

Slot stated, "Everything was fantastic with our supporters gathered together. The way we celebrated today isn’t something you witness often. It’s not surprising at all that our fans excelled once more, just as they did consistently throughout the entire season, including their support for Trent."

'I believe he got what was coming to him. It makes me extremely pleased both for him and for everybody associated with the club that everything turned out as it did.'

Everyone could tell just how tough things were for him following the match. This highlights the challenge of departing from such a club. Our main aim should be to create conditions where it becomes extremely challenging for our players to want to leave.

'A lot of them choose to remain. Unfortunately for us, Trent decided to leave. However, it was wonderful that he got to have a proper goodbye today.'

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