The Japan Times - Liverpool fans 'devastated' as title glory marred by tragedy

Monday's triumphant parade through Liverpool city centre ended tragically when some 65 people were injured as a Ford Galaxy car mowed down pedestrians.

"It's devastating," said Adrian Chan, 35, who had travelled from Singapore to attend the parade.

"It sours the parade and what was a weekend to celebrate. We were all there for the joy of the day."

An estimated one million people had turned out for the festivities to mark Liverpool's record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.

Yet, the wild scenes of celebration were plunged into chaos shortly after the Liverpool squad, led by star players Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Djik, had finished their 10-mile (16 kilometre) route through the packed streets.

The parade offered fans from around the world who cannot buy match tickets to make the pilgrimage to Merseyside.

However, they were left with painful memories from long and expensive journeys.

"I have been waiting 11 years to come," said Adele Lim, 40, who had travelled from Singapore with her niece. "Everyone was so excited, for it to end like that is terrible."

It was the first time in 35 years the Reds could celebrate winning the league with their supporters as the 2019/20 title was won during a period of coronavirus restrictions.

Outside the club's iconic Anfield stadium on Tuesday, hundreds of fans who had made the trip took pictures at the club's "Champions Wall" showing off the team's historic haul of trophies.

- 'We stick together' -

Patrick Kwesiga had made the trip from Calgary, Canada, for his first visit to Liverpool after 20 years of following the club from across the Atlantic.

"It's so shocking," he said. "It is so sad an event that brought so much joy ended like that."

Many fans spoke of the confusion in the hours following the car-ramming as a lack of mobile phone signal due to the size of the crowd made it difficult to get information.

A 53-year-old white British man, believed to be the driver of the car, was arrested after the incident and is being held on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and driving under the influence of drugs.

Near the Champions Wall, a memorial to victims of the Hillsborough disaster serves as a reminder of Liverpool's history of tragedy.

In 1989, 97 fans died in a crush at a game in Sheffield, which still scars the port city.

And in 2022, Liverpool supporters escaped what an independent report cited as a near "mass fatality catastrophe" after security failings at the Champions League final in Paris.

"This club has been through worse times. We are the Liverpool family and we will stick together," said Chilean Luis Vargas Guzman.

Fans were also largely undeterred at the prospect of attending future events to show their support for the six-time European champions.

Polish fan Michael Skabara, 28, was determined to make it back to Anfield for a match after taking a stadium tour for the first time.

"After what happened yesterday I am definitely coming to a game as soon as I can. Life is too short."

H.Hayashi--JT