Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs on the planet. While 60,000 supporters head to Anfield every matchday, millions more watch the Reds on television from around the world. In Ireland especially, the club is adored with an estimated legion of nearly 500,000 fans backing the team.
So, where does the huge support for Liverpool come from in places like Dublin and Cork? This article will explore the links between the club and country which has ensured the two have been entwined for well over a century.
The City's Irish Heritage
Liverpool is a city with deep Irish roots which today is represented by its culture, heritage and identity. Many people have travelled from Ireland across the Irish Sea to set up home on Merseyside dating back centuries. In fact, it is understood 17% of the city's population by 1841 was Irish born. The Irish famine also saw 300,000 people arrive in Liverpool in 1847 while 100 years later, more Ireland natives arrived on Merseyside for work, helping with the post-war reconstruction.
Liverpool Football Club was founded in 1892 and swiftly grew into one of the biggest institutions in England. Many Irish people in the city would go to Anfield as a key pastime, watching the team play each weekend. Over the years, the fanbase will have grown to the point many Irish families had been supporting the Reds for decades and it's a passion that is passed down generations. With the links between the country and city, it's little wonder there are so many Irish Reds making the pilgrimage to go and see the team.
Liverpool Support in Ireland
Flights from Dublin to Liverpool take just under an hour and so matchday for Reds based in Ireland are convenient and accessible. Going to Anfield may actually take less time than driving to some League or Ireland stadiums and so many Irish fans are actually regular Liverpool match-goers.
For those unable to make the trip, the ritual often involves gathering in local pubs or supporters' clubs. Whether debating the starting XI or looking to bet online in Ireland before kick-off, the engagement with the match is just as intense as it is in the Anfield stands.
There are huge Liverpool football communities dotted all around Ireland, both physical, where supporters can regularly meet up to watch games on television, and online. Platforms like Facebook and X are home to huge fan networks and it's here where people can share their thoughts on the game, team selections and transfers. The ability to join with fellow enthusiasts creates a sense of belonging and identity for Irish followers of the team.
Irish Players who Appeared for the Reds
Liverpool have fielded a number of Irish players throughout history, from names who were born in Ireland to others who had parents or grandparents who hailed from the country. Attacker Jimmy Kelly was the first Irishman to represent the Football Club before Steve Heighway enjoyed success in the Reds midfield.
Ronnie Whelan, Mark Lawrenson, Jim Beglin, Steve Staunton, John Aldridge and Ray Houghton followed and enjoyed various successes with Liverpool during the 1980s and early 1990s. Later Jason McAteer, Robbie Keane and Steve Finnan played at Anfield before the most recent Irishman to play for Liverpool, Caoimhin Kelleher, who only left the club in the summer for first-team football at Brentford.
Wrapping Up
Overall, Liverpool and Ireland have plenty of links and the club boasts thousands of Irish followers who have supported the club for generations. The fanbase is no doubt set to grow with more and more people from Ireland opting to watch games at Anfield as the Premier League continues to thrive. For well over a century, Irish and Liverpool heritage has been entwined which has strengthened the bond.
