CITY 

Introduction: 

Liverpool is a major seaport located on the River Mersey in the North West of England. The current population of the city is 466,400, whilst the Liverpool City Region has a population of around 2 million. 

Brief History: 

The Domesday Book does not mention Liverpool so its origins were very early Middle Ages. It possibly started as a hamlet called “lifer pol” and was known as a town in the 13th century. The port of Liverpool was founded by King John in 1207. A market and annual fair followed. By 1351 a mayor had been installed. Trade was mainly with Ireland and France and in 1205 had two MPs. 

By the Civil War in 1642 the population was still only 2500. 

By 1673 the town was booming due to the new colonies that Britain was acquiring in America and the West Indies. Trade followed to the rest of Europe and the town rapidly expanded. A population of 5000 in 1700, reached 20,000 in 1750 and 77,000 by 1800. Many of the newcomers had arrived from Ireland and Wales. 

The first dock was built in 1715 and became the third largest port in the country after London and Bristol, and Manchester trade further boosted the port. Further industries were started up including sugar refining, ship building, rope, watch making, and pottery. 

In 1835 the boundaries were extended and by 1851 the population was 356,000. This population explosion was partly due to the Irish potato famine when many Irish people emigrated to Liverpool. 

However, the town was generally poor in sanitation so major development began including many new civic projects which transformed the town into a modern urban area. In 1880 City status was granted and the University opened the following year. 

Electric trams were now in use, the world’s first overhead electric railway commenced and the boundaries were extended again. The population reached 685,000 in 1901. Early 20th century saw the construction of Liverpool’s famous skyline, including the Liver Building, Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building. 

After losing 13,000 inhabitants in WW1, misery caused by poverty and overcrowding existed in the city and a third of working age men were unemployed. 

With 3875 inhabitants killed and 10,000 houses destroyed the city had a major rebuilding programme after WW2, including tower blocks which split up communities. Two new cathedrals were completed, the Roman Catholic one in 1967 and the Anglican one in 1978. 

In the 1960s Liverpool became the music centre of the country when the Beatles exploded onto the scene followed by a host of pop acts. However, whilst the economy boomed in 1950s and 1960s industry went into decline from 1970s onwards. Rioting in Toxteth was not good for the city’s image. 

Optimism abounds though and the city was still a major port and tourism was encouraged. A National Garden Festival was held and The Tate Modern Art Gallery was built at the end of the last century. In 2008 the city was chosen as European Capital of Culture and the shopping centre was modernised and expanded.   

Things to Do: 

The Cavern Club:

Located in Mathew Street, Liverpool, the club is of course most famous for introducing stars such as The Beatles and Cilla Black to the British public. The club is owned by Cavern City Tours who arrange for packages for visitors from around the world. The club now presents tribute bands and contemporary music and there is also a Cavern Pub on the opposite side of the road. For further information see www.cavernclub.org . 

Liverpool Cathedrals:

The city is blessed with two very nice cathedrals, one Anglican and the other Roman Catholic. They are also located fairly close to each other at either end of Hope Street, so both can be viewed easily when visiting their area. 

Liverpool Cathedral (Anglican) is the largest cathedral in the UK and fifth largest in the world. Located on St. James Mount, L1 7AZ,  it can be seen from all prominent positions in the city. The cathedral is open every day of the year, you can get to the top of the tower via two lifts and there is a shop and two eateries. Entrance is free but donations requested. For service times and other information check out www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk . 

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral (Roman Catholic) is a completely different building architecturally, i.e. modern contemporary as opposed to traditional.

Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens the cathedral can be found at Mount Pleasant, L3 5TG. Again, this cathedral is open every day of the year and whilst entrance is free, donations are requested. For further information visit www.liverpoolmetrocathedral.org.uk. 

Tate Liverpool:

Located in Albert Dock, this art gallery hosts British and International modern and contemporary art. It also holds exhibitions by some of the most important and well known artists. What’s On can be found by opening  www.tate.org.uk. 

Mersey Ferry:

Gerry and the Pacemakers hit “Ferry Across the Mersey” is evocative of this Liverpool icon. The ferry operates between Liverpool and the Wirral on the other side of the river. This is a public service ferry and runs to a fixed time table. The three termini used have a different exhibition based at them. Pier Head, in Liverpool, has the Beatles Story. The Seacombe terminus in Wirral has Spaceport and Woodside terminus, also in Wirral, has the U-boat story. For ferry prices and other information check out  www.merseyferries.co.uk . 

Beatles:

Located at Pier Head this exhibition tells the story of the group that became a worldwide sensation. There are Living History audio guides and replicas of the Cavern and Casbah clubs as they were in the 1960s. The website is www.beatlesstory.com .

You can also visit the childhood homes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, being 251 Menlove Avenue and 20 Forthlin Road respectively. A combined tour is available and for information on same see www.nationaltrust.org.uk/beatles 

Museum of Liverpool:

This free museum located at Pier Head, L3 1DG, contains ten galleries, housing themes from Liverpool Overhead Railway to Global City. Nearby is the Piermaster’s House which has been transformed into a 1940’s decorated and furnished home. The museum has a shop and is open daily until 5pm. www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk has information about this museum and all the others in the city. 

Albert Dock:

This area contains the largest collection of Grade 1 listed buildings in the country. As well as being a marina it contains many interesting attractions and museums including the International Slavery Museum, Merseyside Maritime Museum, Magical Mystery Tour, together with lots of eating and drinking outlets.

The dock was opened in 1839, closed in 1972 and refurbished as a visitor attraction in 1988. To find further information regarding What’s On etc. check out www.albertdock.com . 

Walker Art Gallery:

This important gallery contains the most art in England, outside of London. With collections dating from 13th Century to today, the artists range from Holbein, Rubens, Rembrandt, Stubbs, Gainsborough through to Freud, Lowry and Hockney and very many more. As well as painting there is Fashion, Sculpture and Video Art.

The gallery is located on William Brown Street, L3 8EL and there is a shop and café. Entrance is free and open until 5pm.For further information see www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker 

On Hop Off Bus:

For first time visitors the Tour Bus is an excellent way to get acquainted to this important city. It stops at all the most popular visitor attractions. The tours run every 20 minutes in summer and every thirty minutes in winter and takes up to an hour in duration. 

Sport:

As well as football, Liverpool is also world famous for The Grand National at Aintree. 

Night Life:

With its impressive list of Liverpudlian entertainers, including Ken Dodd, Frankie Vaughan, Arthur Askey through to the Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Cilla black, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, John Bishop and Atomic Kitten, it is not surprising that there is a plethora of night time venues. 

With 150 to 200 clubs, bars and pubs in the city centre, it depends of course, on what an individual is looking for. 

The most famous, of course, is the Cavern Club and its sister the Cavern Pub. Also of note are Ma Egerton’s Stage Door, Berry and Rye, Hot Water Comedy Club and The Greenroom. The clubs generally open until 7am at weekends and the bars to 4am. 

Mathew Street and surrounding area is the heart of Liverpool night life and the thriving gay scene is based on Stanley Street. 

For up to date info check out  www.anightinliverpool.com . 

When it comes to Theatre the city is spoilt with at least six renowned venues.

Liverpool Empire is a national institution which puts on top productions of musicals, dance, pop, opera, pantomime, comedy etc. The theatre is in Lime Street. 

The others of note are Everyman Theatre, Royal Court, Epstein Theatre, Playhouse and New Shakespeare Theatre. 

Full details for all of these can be found on www.liverpooltheatres.com.   

Cinemas:

Screens are provided by Cineworld, Odeon, Picture House, Showcase, Woolton Picture House and Plaza Community Cinema. 

Scattered throughout the city, films being shown can be found online. 

Eating Out:

With its trading connections with the world, Liverpool has attracted cuisines from local British to a very good range of international.

Albert Dock alone has over twenty restaurants, café and fast food takeaway outlets. Food and drink can be found throughout the city centre, in malls, pubs, tea houses providing afternoon tea etc. Greater Merseyside also offers a good range. 

Shopping:

With a presence of John Lewis and Harvey Nicholls the city shows its shopping credentials.

Liverpool One contains well known chain stores and designer houses.

Met Quarter has more select international designer shops.

Cavern Walks, Church Street and Bold Street boast ultra fashion and top boutiques.

There are also Markets for everyday food and goods. 

Accommodation:

International and National groups have accommodation in the city. Also worth considering are boutique hotels, guest houses, hostels, pubs and serviced apartments. These are located throughout the city centre and its environs. 

Transport: 

Buses:

For information on bus routes, fares and timetables see www.merseytravel.gov.uk . As well as Liverpool, Merseytravel also covers Southport, Wirral and St. Helens. 

Road:

Good motorway connections join Liverpool to the rest of the country. The M62 leaves Liverpool for Manchester and Leeds. The M62 also connects to the M6 which runs from Glasgow to London (also using the M1). The M58 joins the M6 from the north of Liverpool and the M57 acts as an eastern by pass to the city. Mersey tunnel connects Liverpool to the Wirral. 

Railway:

Within Merseyside, Mersey Rail operates a metro service which has three lines. City line which operates east from Lime Street main line station,

The Wirral line which again operates from Lime Street, crosses the Mersey and then branches to New Brighton, West Kirby and Ellesmere Port. The third line is Northern which runs from Hunts Cross in the south to Southport, Kirkby and Ormskirk to the north of the city. Again, all information available at Mersey Travel web site.

Lime Street is the city’s mainline station located in the city centre. Trains are operated by Five national rail companies with destinations including London Euston, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich, York, Preston and Blackpool.

Full information on timetables and fares can be found on National Rails website. 

Air:

John Lennon Liverpool Airport is located to the south east of the city in the Speke area. Its destinations are mainly domestic, Ireland and the rest of Europe.

(For international travel to rest of the world then Manchester Airport is the local choice. Rail and bus connections run from Liverpool.)

Arriva Buses run connections to Greater Merseyside, trains are connected by bus at Liverpool Parkway Station and taxis run between city and airport. 

Taxis:

Eight taxi firms run throughout the city and suburbs.

LIVERPOOL

Stadium: Anfield.  Anfield Road.  Liverpool.  L4 0TH 

Founded: 1892                                           

Joined League: 1893 

Chairman: Tom Werner                           

Manager:  Arne Slot  

Current League: Premier 

Phone Number:-  0151 264 2500 

Website:- www.liverpoolfc.com 

Brief History: 

The formation of Liverpool FC came about because of a dispute between Everton, who were then playing at Anfield, and the ground’s owner, John Houlding, in 1892. As the dispute could not be resolved Everton crossed Stanley Park and John Houlding formed Liverpool. 

Their first season in the League saw Liverpool win the Second Division title, without losing a game, and promotion to top flight. The first League championship was won in 1901. A second League title was won in 1906 and the first Cup Final appearance arrived in 1914. 

After WW1, two further League titles in the 1920s and after WW2, yet another League championship in 1947. It was slowly downhill after that with relegation arriving in 1951, the first time in 50 years. The team was in the wilderness until Bill Shankly was installed as manager in 1959 where he stayed until 1964.  His watch saw 3 League Championship, 2 FA Cup, 3 Charity Shield and 1 UEFA Cup pieces of silverware arrive in the Trophy Cabinet. He was to set the club up for even better times to come with the outstanding players he signed. 

Stunning the football world by announcing his retirement Bob Paisley took over the helm for the next nine years, which saw another momentous era. Multiple League Championships, FA Cups, Charity Shields and League Cups followed but this time 3 European Cups were won in 1977, 1978 and 1981. 

Joe Fagan succeeded Bob Paisley for just three years but even so he managed to win a League Championship, League Cup and European Cup. 

The arrival of Kenny Dalglish continued the silverware success, except for the European Cup which was to elude the club for the next twenty one years. 

Sadly, two major catastrophes occurred in the 1980’s. Firstly in 1985 when Liverpool met Juventus, of Italy, at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels, thirty nine fans were crushed to death. This led to English teams being banned from playing in Europe competitions. 

The second disater was to occur during the Dalglish managership. On 15th April 1989 Liverpool was drawn against Nottingham Forest in a FA Cup semi final at Hillsborough, the home of Sheffield Wednesday. After six minutes it was obvious there was a problem with overcrowding in the Leppings Lane end and fans were being crushed. The terrible incident saw the death of 96 fans.   

The Graeme Souness and Roy Evans reigns saw scant titles but when Gerard Houllier took over in 1998 the trophy wins returned again but not until Rafael Benitez arrived did they win the European Cup again, which amazingly occurred in 2005, after a controversial win over Chelsea in the semi-finals.

After winning the FA Cup and Charity Shield in 2006 the club struggled again to win titles until a League Cup win in 2012. 

The club currently play in the Premiership.

At the end of season 2016/17 the club qualified for the European Champions League. They were then beaten in the Final of that competition but again qualified in 2017/2018. 

Season 2018/19 saw Liverpool become the Champions of Europe by winning the Champions League in Madrid. 

Honours:   

League Champions :

1901.  1906.  1922.  1923.  1947.  1964.  1966. 1973.  1976.  1977. 1979. 1980.  1982.  1983.  1984.  1986.  1988.  1990.  2020.     

 F A Cup Winners:

1965.  1974.  1986.  1989.  1992.  2001.  2006.  2022.

League Cup Winners:

1981.  1982.  1983.  1984.  1995.  2001.  2003.  2012. 2022. 2024

Charity Shield Winners:

1964*.1965*. 1966.  1974.  1976.  1977*.1979. 1980. 1982.  1986*. 1988. 1989. 1990*.2001.  2006. 2022.. (* shared).  

European Cup Winners/Champions League:

1977.  1978.  1981.  1984.  2005. 2019.                                                                                                   

 UEFA Cup Winners/Europa League:

1973.  1976.  2001.                               

Match Day: 

Tickets:

Away fans should contact their own club for tickets when playing at Anfield.

For Home fans the best way to obtain tickets is by being a Season Ticket holder, as a Member or Match Break packages.

Ticket information and sales can be obtained On Line by visiting the club’s official website and clicking on ticket availability. Otherwise you can call 0843 170 5555, or by visiting, personally, the ticket office at Anfield. 

Transport: 

Bus:

From the city centre you can use following services:-

26 or 27 from Liverpool One, 14, 17 and 19 from Queen Square Bus Station and 917 from St. John’s Lane.

Routes 68/168, which run from Bootle to Aigburth, stop a short walk away from the ground.

See “Rail” regarding Soccer Bus. 

Rail:

If taking the train, from Lime Street, head for Sandhills station, on the Merseyrail Northern line, and then take the Soccerbus to Anfield.

Alternatively, after arriving at Lime Street from rest of the country, a taxi to Anfield will cost between £7 and £10. 

Car:

If travelling under your own steam you must accept that parking is very limited around Anfield. There is a nearby car park at St. Domingo, L5 0RS.

To get to the ground see Car under Everton above. The stadiums are so close that car access is very similar. 

Air:

see Everton above for arrival by air. 

Stadium: 

The club moved into Anfield in 1892 and has a current capacity of 45276. There are four stands, Spion Kop, Main Stand, Centenary Stand and Anfield Road. Whilst a number of grounds have stands named Spion Kop, mainly behind goals, the Kop at Anfield is the most famous. It is from here that the most passionate of fans sing “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” 

Two gates at the ground are named after Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley and the Hillsborough memorial sits next to the Shankly Gates. 

Away fans are accommodated in the Anfield Road stand. 

On the away concourse usual fare can be bought including burgers, hot dogs and pies including Scouse Pie, soft drinks and alcohol. 

Pubs around the ground do tend to get very busy. 

The ground has a Super Store, stadium tours, a museum and a restaurant, which takes bookings, the Boot Room Sports Café. 

After much discussion about a new stadium it would appear that the option will be to redevelop Anfield.