Liverpool fans transform Barcelona into a sea of Red ahead of Champions League clash

Liverpool FC will face Champions League rivals FC Barcelona on Wednesday - and the Catalan city has already been transformed into a sea of Reds fans. 

Banners and flags were proudly flown on La Rambla and in bars across the Spanish city as fans joined in the pre-match build-up.  An early morning flight from Liverpool John Lennon Airport brought a new wave of supporters in to Barcelona on Tuesday morning, with fans flying in from as far afield as Australia to watch the historic match.

Liverpool FC banners around Barcelona ahead of the Reds' Champions League semi-final (Image: Liverpool ECHO)

With thousands more Reds fans arriving in the coming hours, we caught up with some of those already in the city.

'Competing on two fronts - it's amazing'

Dad John and son Jayden, who watched the Reds at the final in Kiev last season, unfurled a Liverpool FC flag saying "Liverpool FC - this means more. Queensland Australia."
The pair travelled over from Queensland to watch the match and sad John said: "It's awesome. Especially this season, competing on two fronts with the Premier League and the Champions League - it's amazing."

Liverpool FC banners around Barcelona ahead of the Reds' Champions League semi-final (Image: Liverpool ECHO)

Fans could be spotted in Liverpool shirts at all the main tourist areas of the city, with most supporters telling our reporter that they were cautiously optimistic about Liverpool's chances at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.
Heading in to Tuesday night, bars and squares around Barcelona are expected to be full of fans singing Liverpool songs and taking in the atmosphere.

'Bevvies and a great time - can't beat it'

Sean, from Dingle, who was enjoying the atmosphere on La Rambla, said: "It's going to be great as it is when we always turn up, we just arrive en masse, sit round, have the bevvies, have a great time - can't beat it."
Officers from Merseyside Police will be in the city to help travelling fans before and after the match.

Liverpool FC banners around Barcelona ahead of the Reds' Champions League semi-final (Image: Liverpool ECHO)

Fans are advised to be at the stadium no later than 6.45pm, and were told to enter through external gate, Access 21, where there will be initial ticket checks and searches.
Wheelchair viewing areas will be available for Liverpool supporters on Level 1.