Why hundreds of Liverpool fans face missing out on Anfield UCL clash with Barca

Hundreds of Anfield regulars are in danger of missing out on tickets for Liverpool's Champions League semi-final second leg with Barcelona at Anfield.

Fans who have attended all five previous home European matches so far this season aren't all guaranteed a seat for the showdown on Tuesday, May 7.

The issue stems from the fact that UEFA's allocation has increased for the last-four tie and there has also been greater demand from the club's Priority Rights Holders - meaning there are fewer seats available for season ticket holders and members.

Liverpool are contractually obliged to set aside a certain number of tickets for UEFA and its partners and that figure goes up round by round.

Previously this season, UEFA haven't used the full allocation which has enabled the Reds to sell the returns.

However, such is the interest in the visit of Barca that this time UEFA are expected to take the maximum amount which the ECHO understands is around 2,500 tickets. In the group stage the UEFA allocation was around half that figure.

Liverpool also have no option but to respect the agreement with Priority Rights Holders which dates back to when former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett bought the club in 2007.

When the American duo completed their takeover, as well as paying shareholders £5,000 per share, they also gave them a lifetime guarantee that their privilege of being able to access tickets would be protected.

Liverpool's current owners looked into the legitimacy of that deal and were told it was legally binding. Around 1,500 Priority Rights Holders are entitled to buy tickets for home cup matches, semi-finals and finals.

Some angry Reds fans have questioned whether more seats have been handed over to club partners such as Thomas Cook, who offer match packages. However, Thomas Cook's allocation of around 400 hospitality seats is the same for every Anfield fixture, regardless of the opposition.

With more media present and hundreds of seats directly behind the LED perimeter screens out of action, Anfield's overall capacity for European games is reduced to about 52,500.