Police information for United fixture

The Reds travel to Old Trafford for a 1.30pm GMT kick-off on Sunday December 14.

Divisional superintendent, Jim Liggett, said: "As the match commander for the forthcoming Manchester United v Liverpool fixture this Sunday, I would like to offer a festive welcome to all Liverpool fans attending the game.

"The aim is to ensure that everyone enjoys the match and the day passes off safely. Recent fixtures at Old Trafford between United and Liverpool have passed without incident and this is something that I hope we can achieve again for this game."

The following key points have been shared by Greater Manchester Police for travelling Liverpool fans.

• You cannot drink alcohol on the street in Manchester city centre or Trafford, the borough where the ground is. This will be enforced around the stadium for home and away fans. Since implementing this policy, it has stopped groups of supporters from congregating at certain locations, which created a hostile atmosphere for visiting fans and families.

• There are no pubs in the area of the ground which cater for visiting supporters.

• Liverpool fans will be able to purchase a drink inside the ground - a maximum of two alcoholic drinks per visit to the bar per person. It is the same policy for home fans in the East Stand. Turnstiles open at 11.30am and fans will be able to buy food and drink.

• All drinks, including soft drinks, will be decanted. These arrangements are the same for home fans in the East Stand.

• All supporters are reminded that pyrotechnics are dangerous and are not welcomed by the majority of fans. It is an offence to enter a stadium with such an item and those engaging in this behaviour risk arrest, prosecution and also a banning order.

• Potentially, there may be a holdback at the end of the game. All fans will be updated about this during the game by public address announcements in the stadium. We will minimise the duration of this as far as we can but it has been successful in recent league games at minimising any issues on the forecourt. During any holdback, the police will work closely with the stewards, and we will do our best to ensure that fans can access toilet facilities during any holdback. This will need to be done in a controlled manner to help regulate the numbers accessing the toilets at any one time.

• In the event of no holdback, fans are reminded that they are welcome to remain in their seats until the crowds outside subside. Police officers will still be on duty outside the ground and at the coach park until the fans have made their way from the stadium.

• Away fans need to have the correct tickets for the fixture. Those who arrive with concession tickets which are not eligible for them will not be allowed to upgrade and will be refused access.