"Liverpool Fans Spark Controversy: Fireworks Set Off Outside Real Madrid Hotel Ahead of Champions League Showdown"

 

Liverpool fans set off fireworks outside Real Madrid hotel ahead of Champions League match

Liverpool fans set off fireworks outside the Real Madrid team hotel in the early hours of Tuesday morning ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash at Anfield. Videos circulating on social media showed fans setting off fireworks and flares outside the hotel, with some supporters reportedly also setting off smoke bombs.

Merseyside Police have confirmed that two arrests have been made in connection with the incident, and that nobody was injured. In a statement, the police said: "We can confirm that officers were called to a hotel in the city centre in the early hours of this morning to reports that a number of fireworks had been set off outside the building. Two men, both aged in their 20s, have been arrested on suspicion of a Section 4 Public Order offence."

The incident comes after Liverpool fans were criticised for setting off fireworks outside the team hotel of RB Leipzig ahead of their Champions League match earlier this month. The club released a statement at the time condemning the behaviour, saying: "It is wholly unacceptable and not befitting of Liverpool FC's values. The club will work with the relevant authorities to identify and, if possible, prosecute those responsible."

Liverpool will face Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at Anfield on Tuesday evening. The Reds are aiming to reach the quarter-finals of the competition for the third time in four seasons, having won the trophy in 2019.