Anfield’s Main Stand was evacuated prior to Liverpool’s friendly matches against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday afternoon. Fans were directed out of the stadium after an alarm sounded just as they were getting settled for the game, which is set to begin at 5pm, with a second match following at 8pm. The reason for the evacuation is currently unclear.
As Liverpool prepares for the upcoming Premier League season, both matches against the Spanish team will feature a mix of senior and youth players. Notable first-team members such as Darwin Nunez, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Kostas Tsimikas, and Andy Robertson are slated to participate in the initial game.
This friendly encounter is especially poignant for Liverpool as they continue to process the recent tragic loss of teammate Diogo Jota, who was involved in a fatal car accident last month along with his brother, Andre Silva. Captain Virgil van Dijk expressed the team’s challenges during this difficult time and emphasized the importance of supporting Jota’s family and honoring his memory.
“It has, of course, been a very challenging time,” van Dijk stated in his program notes. He highlighted the need for the team to support one another while they strive to maintain a sense of normalcy despite the profound loss. Van Dijk reiterated the significance of remembering Jota and his legacy, reminding everyone of their responsibility towards his family.
In response to the evacuation at Anfield, it demonstrates the club’s commitment to the safety of its supporters, while the upcoming friendlies serve as an opportunity for the team to come together and remember Jota during this unforgettable and trying period.