In September 2022, our great city was selected to host the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine. It is a first for Liverpool as a city to host Eurovision and our club has been supporting the great efforts by the team behind the event, our city and, of course, our friends in Ukraine, who made us feel so welcome in 2018 when we travelled to their wonderful city of Kyiv to play in the UEFA Champions League final. We are delighted to be involved in these celebrations and Saturday is a great opportunity to showcase all that is great about our city.
Saturday also marks the coronation of their Majesties the King and Queen Consort at Westminster Abbey. Just over a week ago, the Premier League contacted all home clubs and strongly suggested to mark this historic occasion across home matches this weekend and provided a list of activity for clubs to get involved in.
Finally, our award-winning and highly respected Liverpool FC Foundation is hosting its annual Foundation Community Day at Anfield in recognition of its 20th anniversary. Our Foundation has been a huge success over the years and shines a light on the fantastic work we are delivering every day of every week in our city and local communities as we lead on meaningful and important social interventions across Merseyside and beyond. Last season, LFC Foundation supported more than 80,000 children and families in need, from providing vital sport sessions in schools and mental health support through to providing life-changing support to children at Alder Hey Hospital and working with foodbanks to provide food parcels to those in need.
In recognition of the months of planning locally for Eurovision, LFC Foundation’s annual Community Day and, more recently, the Premier League’s request to mark the coronation, there will be a range of activity on Saturday, including:
- LFC FOUNDATION: Through matchday assets, supporters can learn more about the impactful work of LFC Foundation. There will be a special LFC Foundation matchday programme cover and dedicated content, fun activities with community coaches in the fan park, and young participants at half-time will reveal the total amount raised from the two most recent legends charity matches. LEDs will display LFC Foundation messaging and fans will have the opportunity to see a celebration of 20 years of the charity on TV displays around the stadium along with donation points.
- EUROVISION: There will be an article in the matchday programme about the Eurovision Song Contest and a special quiz for supporters to test their Eurovision knowledge. Jürgen Klopp has provided a video message pledging his support for Eurovision, and the club will also support via its global social media channels.
- CORONATION: Before kick-off and in recognition of the Premier League’s request to mark the coronation, players and officials will congregate around the centre circle when the national anthem will be played. It is, of course, a personal choice how those at Anfield on Saturday mark this occasion and we know some supporters have strong views on it.