The Guardian (USA)

Liverpool fans miss victory in Genk after travelling to Gent by mistake

- Luke McLaughlin

Two travelling Liverpool fans were forced to watch Wednesday evening’s 4-1 Champions League victory in Genk on TV after going to the Belgian city of Gent by mistake.

Belgian media reported on Thursday morning that the two unnamed fans watched the match in an Irish bar in the Belgian city of Gent, around 80 miles from Genk – which is close to the Dutch border – including a photo of the disgruntle­d pair holding their match tickets.

According to the report it was just 30 minutes before kick-off when the fans realised their error, leaving little time to complete the 90-minute journey to the Luminus Arena, where two goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlai­n helped the Reds to a 4-1 win.

The fans had reportedly spent €70 each on their match tickets and €150 each on train tickets, a total of €440 just to watch their team in action from a foreign pub.

But there was some good news for the two fans: KAA Gent, who face Wolfsburg in the Europa League on Thursday evening, extended an invitation via Twitter for them to attend the match.

Fans of the two Belgian clubs will hopefully avoid making a similar error next month when Genk, currently sixth in the Belgian Pro League, host thirdplace­d Gent in a domestic encounter on Sunday 10th November.

Despite Liverpool powering to an emphatic away victory, manager Jürgen Klopp said afterwards that he was unhappy with the performanc­e of his players.

The result was also marred by Liverpool fans displaying an offensive banner depicting Divock Origi. The club is now investigat­ing, saying: “We will look to identify those responsibl­e for bringing it into the stadium and act accordingl­y.”

 ??  ?? Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, left, celebrates with team-mate Sadio Man´e during the 4-1 Champions League win in Genk on Wednesday evening. Photograph: François Walschaert­s/AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, left, celebrates with team-mate Sadio Man´e during the 4-1 Champions League win in Genk on Wednesday evening. Photograph: François Walschaert­s/AFP via Getty Images

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