Liverpool supporters have started arriving in Kiev ahead of Saturday's hotly anticipated Champions League final against Real Madrid.
The Reds are in pursuit of their sixth European Cup and need to stop Madrid from winning the tournament for the third year straight in order to be crowned winners of Europe's elite club competition.
Supporters gathered in the fan zone area of Kiev on Thursday, where Vitaly Klitschko, the former heavyweight boxer who is now mayor of the city, oversaw the opening ceremony alongside Cafu and Ukrainian women's star Iya Andrushchak.
Cafu and Andruschak carried the trophies from both the men's and women's Champions League tournaments, with Reds fans allowed to pose alongside the silverware. Cafu played for the AC Milan side that lost the 2005 final against Liverpool in Istanbul, their last Champions League victory.
Liverpool and Madrid were both granted a total of 16,626 tickets for the final at the Olympic Stadium, which holds a total of 70,000.
Fans lucky enough to get their hands on a ticket have also faced another obstacle in securing accommodation in the city.
Sky-high prices means fans of both teams have had to reassess how they are spending their time in Ukraine. Madrid have returned 1,000 tickets after fans were unable to sort their stay in the country.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson paid tribute to the role of the club's fans during their run to the final ahead of the team flying to Ukraine on Thursday afternoon.
Henderson said: 'You saw in Rome when we were celebrating with the fans, that was an amazing feeling and moment because of how the connection between the players, the club, the fans is massive really, and it's a big part of Liverpool. The fans play a huge part in us being successful as a team.
'They have played a big part in getting us to the final and the nights at Anfield, it's so hard to describe how you feel as a player walking out there to them singing You'll Never Walk Alone.
'To put on the performance that we did makes it a lot easier because they were outstanding so hopefully they can travel in their numbers to Kiev and make it a special place there.'
Sanchit-9
0
um hi I think you got the wrong team logo besides your name
No bro i am just supporting Liverpool because it's a club from EPL .Many people say that EPL teams are not made for UCL now it's time to prove them wrong 🤘🤘.Rest my heart say Glory Glory United 😍😍😈😈
Renkost
0
red fools
brukk
1
come on u reds, this is the stage to make history and I have the feeling u can do it
oldest
4
Good luck Liverpool. Not a LFC fan, but I'll be shouting for you on the night!
EspanyolForever
3
Let's go Liverpool and Salah 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘
um hi I think you got the wrong team logo besides your name
EspanyolForever
2
Come on Liverpool I am so excited for the match
of course you are
Samyzy
1
Madrid vs Liverpool. UCL Final. Kiev awaits.
lifetime
0
I'm on my way to Kiev at the airport come on you reds
shandya
0
It almost annoys me that the mens and women¿s trophies need to be displayed side by side. Winning the men¿s version is the absolute pinnacle of club football. Winning the women¿s version.... well some semi pro men¿s teams would beat them every time. Its also a sport with much much lower percentage participation in the women¿s game than the men¿s, naturally making one much more prestigious. It¿s all about political correctness and equality though.....
Lanlmpz
0
it is going to be an epic final Liverpool for life
Footba11
0
History won't play much part on deciding the finals.... cos the 2 teams have history backing them up
TalhaArshad
1
Come on Liverpool I am so excited for the match
Ukfkop
0
You never know what the future may have in store for you.come on Liverpool.
wambdlsy
3
Sanchit-9
8
Let's go Liverpool and Salah 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘