|
LIVERPOOL, Britain, June 2-- A sea of red greeted the conquering heroes of Anfield on Sunday as the winners of the European Champions League returned home to Liverpool. Hundreds of thousands of fans, most wearing red scarves and waving flags lined the route as manager Jurgen Klopp and his team toured the city in an open-topped bus. A huge banner with the words "Champions of Europe" covered the front of the bus. On the back of the bus was the number 6, a tribute to the number of times Liverpool have lifted the trophy. Traffic in Liverpool came to a standstill with major roads across the city blocked as people have turned out to welcome home the team. Every available roadside vantage point was used by fans trying to get the best view of the parade. Flares trailing red smoke were let off as the bus passed, with many fans chanting the club's European anthem, Allez, Allez, Allez. It was Klopp's first silverware as manager of this year's Premier League runners-up and the first time since 2005 when Liverpool last lifted Europe's greatest football prize in a dramatic final in Istanbul. The Liverpool squad arrived with the cup at Liverpool John Lennon Airport to prepare for their victory parade, with Klopp and team skipper Jordan Henderson both clutching the trophy as they left their jet followed by the team. The streets along the route were crowded hours before the bus set off, with the city's World Heritage Site waterfront crammed with fans. | 
