Liverpool’s Anfield Main Stand was evacuated prior to their scheduled friendly match against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. The fixture was set to kick off at 5:00 p.m., with a second match between the same teams planned for 8:00 p.m.
Spectators were directed to leave the stadium immediately after an alarm activation, as they were taking their seats. Officials have not yet disclosed the reason for the evacuation.
The matches represent Liverpool’s preparation for the new Premier League season, featuring a combination of first-team players and academy prospects across two separate games against the Spanish club.
The squad for the opening fixture includes Darwin Nunez, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Kostas Tsimikas, and Andy Robertson among the senior players selected.
These friendlies mark Liverpool’s return to Anfield following the tragic death of Diogo Jota. The 28-year-old forward died in a car accident alongside his brother Andre Silva last month, according to reports.
Captain Virgil van Dijk addressed the loss in his program notes, stating, “It has, of course, been a very challenging time. First and foremost, for Diogo and Andre’s family, for Rute and the kids. They are the people who must always come first in all of this. We must never forget that, and we cannot imagine their pain in this moment.”
Van Dijk continued, “It is still a bit surreal, to be honest, but we are coping in the best way possible as a team, and we are all trying to do the best job we can in order to get through this really difficult time.”
The defender reflected on the difficulty of continuing with football following the tragedy: “With everything that happened, it has been strange having to now try to carry on with work, with football. We will never forget Diogo, of course, but we just have to try to honor his memory. That’s what we try to do each and every day.”
Van Dijk emphasized the team’s commitment to supporting Jota’s family: “I always come back to the fact that we have to look after Diogo’s family, his parents, and that’s the main thing. You think about so many different things, and it’s difficult to process. You can’t imagine the pain, the feeling that they have. That’s why we try to be there as much as we can, and for each other as well.”
He concluded, “That’s also why it is very important that we honour and carry on his legacy, not only for now and the next couple of months, but for as long as we can, because that is what he deserves.”
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Anfield Evacuated Minutes Before Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao Match
Liverpool's Anfield Main Stand was evacuated prior to their scheduled friendly match against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday. The fixture was set to kick off at 5:00 p.m., with a second match between the same teams planned for 8:00 p.m. Spectators were directed to leave the stadium immediately after an alarm activation, as they were taking their seats. Officials have not yet disclosed the reason for the evacuation. Spectators leaving the stadium The matches represent Liverpool's preparation for the new Premier League season, featuring a combination of first-team players and academy prospects across two separate games against the Spanish club. The squad for the opening fixture includes Darwin Nunez, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Kostas Tsimikas, and Andy Robertson among the senior players selected. These friendlies mark Liverpool's return to Anfield following the tragic death of Diogo Jota. The […]
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