Category: Liverpool

Police cars and ambulances were spotted in Liverpool city centre this afternoonPolice and ambulances on Castle Street in Liverpool this afternoon(Image: Liverpool Echo)A person was found dead at a Liverpool city centre hotel today (Tuesday, May 26). Several police cars and ambulances were parked up outside the easyHotel on Castle Street this afternoon, with one officer pictured inside.A spokesperson for Merseyside Police told the ECHO that emergency services were present following a death at the hotel this afternoon. At around 11.15am, North West Ambulance Service informed police of the incident at the hotel. Work is ongoing to establish the circumstances and to formally identify the body.There are not initially believed to be any suspicious circumstances while these enquiries are being carried out.A police officer inside the hotel(Image: Liverpool Echo)EasyHotel declined to comment about the incident.For the latest news and breaking news visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/newsGet all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by signing up to our daily and breaking newsletter.Sign up to our breaking news newsletter here.Follow us on X @LivECHONews or on Bluesky @liverpoolecho.co.uk – official Liverpool ECHO accounts – real news in real time.We’re also on Facebook/theliverpoolecho – your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.

Good afternoon,It is the hottest day of the year so far and it has coincided with a bank holiday. Thousands of people have headed to train stations as they head to beaches and parks to enjoy the heat.This has led to some services being affected as Merseyrail deals with high passenger numbers. The Liverpool Central to Chester service will run non-stop between Birkenhead Central and HootonThe Liverpool Central to Chester service will run non-stop between Birkenhead Central and Hooton, skipping Green Lane, Rock Ferry, Bebington, Port Sunlight, Spital, Bromborough Rake, Bromborough, and Eastham Rake.This is known as a “semi-fast service”, used by Merseyrail to help restore a disrupted timetable. This means that trains will run directly between two appointed stations, not stopping at stations in between.All other services on the Ellesmere Port, West Kirkby, New Brighton, Southport, Ormskirk and Hunts Cross, and Headbolt Lane lines are running as scheduled.A Merseyrail spokesman posted on X: “Due to the large number of passengers travelling, services on the Chester line face cancellations or alterations.”

Liverpool legend Andy Robertson paid special mention to Everton great Seamus Coleman after both called time on their careers on MerseysideAndy Robertson paid tribute to departing Everton captain after his Liverpool farewell Liverpool legend Andy Robertson made sure to pay tribute to Everton great Seamus Coleman after the pair called time on their illustrious playing careers on Merseyside.Robertson was making his 378th and final appearance for Liverpool in their final-day 1-1 draw at home to Brentford alongside fellow modern-day Anfield icon Mohamed Salah.The Scotland captain and Egypt skipper were interviewed on the pitch after the match and, unprompted, the former made sure to namecheck Pep Guardiola, the long-time Reds rival who is leaving his position as Manchester City manager, as well as Coleman.Over in north London, the Everton captain was making his 435th and final appearance for Liverpool’s city rivals.READ MORE: Mohamed Salah in tears as he and Andy Robertson get guards of honour on Liverpool farewellsREAD MORE: What Seamus Coleman did at full-time as Everton captain delivers one final classy actAnd Robertson told Sky Sports: “For me there’s two other people leaving other clubs today who are pretty important.”Pep Guardiola pushed us to completely new limits – I think both of us (Robertson and Salah) would agree with that.”We should have won more Premier Leagues if it wasn’t for that man. What a servant to Manchester City and I wish him all the best.”And finally Seamus Coleman. When I was growing up he was one of the Premier League full-backs who played at a very, very high level and he was certainly a better bargain than me at 60 grand!”He’s leaving Everton and he’s been a fantastic servant to that football club and I wish him all the best as well.”Coleman, a £60,000 signing from Sligo Rovers in January 2009, has the offer to remain at the Blues in a non-playing position.But the Republic of Ireland stalwart, who came on a second-half substitute in the 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, will use the summer to weigh up whether to continue his playing career at another club.Robertson, an £8m arrival from Hull City in 2017, will now leave Liverpool along with Salah at the end of his contract.

An exciting pop-up has arrived in Liverpool city centreBig Boy Bakery queue spotted today(Image: Liverpool Echo)Dozens of people were spotted queuing as a new pop-up arrived in Liverpool city centre. The queue was pictured at around 10.45am today (May 24) as customers waited to get their hands of baked goods from Big Boy Bakery. Liverpool John Moores University student Sara Al-Janabi is the brains behind Big Boy Bakery – a brand that has become popular on TikTok.Her business is currently on show in a pop-up at The Coffee ザ・コーヒー, an international coffee brand found on the ground-floor unit at the Grade I listed Oriel Chambers on Water Street in the city centre.The chain, which operates more than 150 cafes across 28 countries, has already established sites in major cities including Barcelona, Paris, Sydney and Dubai. However, this is the first and only Liverpool venue.The ECHO was outside the coffee shop today as people could be seen waiting for the pop-up to open at 11am.People waiting for the Big Boy Bakery pop-up today(Image: Liverpool Echo
)Big Boy Bakery owner Sara started making cookies when she was 18, after having meniscus surgery.Sara previously told the ECHO: “When I was back home, I was selling them, but then I stopped because I wanted to move out and do that typical university experience.”I kind of felt a bit slummy at uni, I felt like there’s something more than this. Then I had the kind of ‘f**k it’ moment, because I’m in my last semester at uni studying digital marketing with business and I was like this is clearly what I’m interested in.Sara makes the cookies from her mum’s house(Image: Supplied/Sara Al-Janabi)”It’s constantly like the seed is in my brain. Why am I like scared of doing it? I think maybe just because I’d done it before and stopped.”Sara made the decision to start baking again, starting her business, Big Boy Bakery. Like many small businesses starting out, her first thought was to try and draw attention to it on social media.More information on Sara and the pop-up can be found here.

Andy Robertson departs after nine years as a Liverpool legend.The Scotland captain’s decorated career at Anfield will officially come to an end when he makes his 378th and final appearance for the club he has represented with distinction since signing from Hull City in 2017 on Sunday against Brentford.At a mere £8m Robertson has proven himself to one of the greatest bargains in Liverpool’s history and he walks away with an honours list that has seen him win two Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2019 alongside two League Cups, the FA Cup and a first-ever Club World Cup.But it is Robertson’s down-to-earth nature that has appealed to supporters just as much as his ability on the pitch across most of the last decade, and in an end-of-season address to the city’s people, the 32-year-old has opened up to the ECHO on what it means to him and his family to become honorary Scousers.—Dear ECHO reader,It feels a bit self-important writing a letter like this, if I’m honest. But when I was asked, I didn’t want to miss the chance to say thank you to a city and a community that has made me and my family feel like one of their own from day one.Let me start with something that probably sounds more suited to a letter in The Herald back in Glasgow.I’m a proud Glaswegian. I always will be. I love telling people where I’m from. It’s part of who I am. It’s where I was born, where I was raised and it’ll forever be in my blood.But after nine years here, I’ve realised there’s room in my heart for two cities.Liverpool will forever define a huge part of my life.Honestly, I think the reason me and my family settled so quickly is because Liverpool reminded us so much of home. The humour, the people, the mentality — it all felt familiar straight away. At times it genuinely feels like Glasgow and Liverpool are only separated by two different accents.Both cities have that working-class spirit. Pride. Defiance. People who say what they think. No airs and graces. What you see is what you get.And more than anything, both places value honesty. There’s something real about Liverpool. People here can spot nonsense a mile off, and I’ve always respected that.I know from the outside my connection to this city will always be tied to the football club and everything we achieved together. Of course I’m immensely proud of that. How could I not be?But for me and my wife, our bond with Merseyside goes much deeper than football.Rachel and I arrived in 2017 as a young couple expecting our first child. Like me, Rach is fiercely proud of being from Glasgow. We actually went to school together, which probably tells you how long she’s had to put up with me.Looking back now, we probably underestimated how daunting it was — moving to a new city, away from family, about to become parents for the first time.But Liverpool instantly made us feel comfortable. And the incredible people at Liverpool Women’s Hospital made us feel safe at a time in our lives where that meant everything.Over the nine years, two became five. Liverpool is where our little team was built.A lot of teammates — mainly James Milner to be fair — loved winding me up about being captain of Scotland while having three kids born in England. But I’m always quick to correct them. They’re not English. We’ve got three proper little Scottish Scousers.And honestly, we couldn’t be prouder of that.The kids probably sum us up best really — Glaswegians with a Liverpool passport.My wider family feel exactly the same way about this city.My mum and dad come down all the time, even when Liverpool aren’t playing. They love the place. My brother and his family get here whenever they can. And my pals — most of whom I’ve known since school — absolutely love any excuse for a weekend in Liverpool.They enjoy the nights more than the mornings these days — mainly because they’ve usually overindulged the night before. Age probably doesn’t help either, to be fair.One of the nicest things for me has been watching the people closest to me fall in love with this city the same way I did.The reality of football is that a lot of the time you experience places through the people around you because your own life can become so focused on training, games and recovery. So seeing my family and friends feel so welcomed here has genuinely meant a lot to me.It probably feels strange to have gone this far without properly mentioning football.The supporters are what make Liverpool Football Club what it is. They are the club. The connection I’ve built with them is something I’ll carry with me forever.To be part of a team that delivered success for them will always mean everything to me. The special days and nights, the trophies, the celebrations, the parades — those memories will stay with me forever.But honestly, I think the difficult moments matter just as much too. The ones where we fell short, where we suffered together, where the whole city felt the disappointment alongside us.Because that’s what made the bond so special. We won together, we lost together, we laughed, celebrated, cried and mourned together. We went through all of it together.There was always a feeling that the supporters and the team were pulling in the same direction, fighting for each other. I’ll forever be grateful I got the chance to be part of that.And while we’re here, I should probably mention the blue half of the city too.Getting booed at the Hill Dickinson while playing for Scotland recently was honestly one of the highlights of my year.But seriously, the rivalry in this city is special. It matters. I’ve met plenty of Evertonians over the years and I’ll genuinely miss the arguments, the humour and the constant digs flying back and forth.That’s football in this city. Passionate, emotional and never dull.I’ll finish the only way that feels right — by simply saying thank you.Thank you for welcoming a skinny wee lad from Glasgow who kicks a bag of air around for a living and making him feel part of something much bigger than football.I said earlier that I’ve always loved saying, “I’m from Glasgow.”What always struck me about Scousers was they said “I’m from Liverpool” in exactly the same way — chest out, proud as anything, with that look in their eye.After nine years here, I understand that feeling far better than I ever could have imagined.And in my own way, I share it.Liverpool, it’s been an absolute pleasure.The privilege was all mine.Love,Andy and the Robertson family.

Ironically, the violent swish of Erling Haaland’s left boot which gave Manchester City a last-gasp equaliser at Bournemouth on Tuesday night meant more to Liverpool than it did for Pep Guardiola’s men. City had to win to stop Arsenal claiming the title so a 1-1 draw was no good.
But the goal denied Bournemouth two extra points and means Liverpool are just about into next season’s Champions League. Without Haaland’s strike, a Bournemouth win at Nottingham Forest and Liverpool failing to beat Brentford would have seen the Cherries claim the prized UCL spot. As it is, Arne Slot’s men can lose here and still qualify as long as there isn’t a six-goal swing in goal difference.
Ninth-placed Brentford have incentive too. If they can go above Chelsea and Brighton, they’d qualify for the Europa League. Nudging up a spot to eighth secures Conference League football and ninth could be enough for European participation too if Crystal Palace win the Conference League. Yes, it’s complicated!
Liverpool v Brentford kick-off time
Liverpool v Brentford kicks off at 4pm BST on Sunday, May 24 at Anfield.
Liverpool v Brentford how to watch
The game will be shown live in the UK on Sky Sports+. Coverage begins at 3pm.
Liverpool team news
After his thinly-veiled criticism of Arne Slot on social media, will Mo Salah start the game which brings the curtain down on his glorious Liverpool career? Benching him would not go down well.
Alongside Salah, Andy Robertson is also set to make his final appearance for the club.
Alexander Isak could return after missing the 4-2 loss at Aston Villa while goalkeeper Alisson and right-back Jeremie Frimpong will all be assessed nearer kick-off.
Hugo Ekitike is a long-term absentee, as are defenders Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni.
Brentford team news
Brentford have a relatively clean bill of health for the season-finale but Rico Henry is unlikely to feature.
Fabio Carvalho and Antoni Milambo had already been ruled out a while ago.
Liverpool v Brentford odds
Liverpool are 4/5 favourites to sign off a difficult season with victory. Three points could even see them nick fourth place off Aston Villa.
The Draw, which also guarantees Champions League qualification for the Reds, is 3/1 while Brentford are 11/4 to complete a league double over the Merseysiders.
Liverpool v Brentford prediction
Liverpool are limping to the finish and clearly aren’t a happy camp.
Their hopes of making the Champions League would have looked in real jeopardy had Haaland not scored late at Bournemouth but now they can just about fall over the line.
However, the Reds don’t warrant being backed at odds-on in their current state and Brentford look more than capable of getting a point.

After drawing 1-1 at home with both Spurs and Chelsea, that scoreline again appeals for Liverpool’s latest attempt to beat London opposition. A goal apiece pays 8/1.
Surely the home side will be doing everything they can to set up Mo Salah for a farewell goal and the Egyptian is 13/8 to score anytime.
He goes into the match having scored 257 times in 442 games for the Reds.
Igor Thiago, who has scored 22 Premier League goals this season, is 19/10 to find the net again.

May 22nd 

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The summer transfer window is approaching quickly on the horizon and clubs are already busy working on deals to acquire their top targets. For most clubs, planning will already be complete and they will have identified which players they want to sign, and which players they want to sell.
Managers will be constantly assessing their squads with sporting directors and recruitment staff scanning the market for potential deals this summer. The rumour mill is still gathering pace and we’ve collated some of the biggest current transfer stories – you can access the full rumour mill below.
Today’s biggest transfer stories

Chelsea have reportedly joined the race to sign Junior Kroupi. The 19-year-old has been a revelation since in his maiden season at Bournemouth with 13 goals in the Premier League. Kroupi is viewed as one of the best young strikers in Europe with Arsenal and Barcelona also monitoring him.

Anthony Gordon is expected to join Bayern Munich this summer for around €80m. Newcastle United are resigned to losing the England international this summer with talks already underway with the Bundesliga champions.

Arsenal have been linked with Tijjani Reijnders. The 27-year-old only joined Manchester City last summer from AC Milan but he’s struggled to nail down a regular starting role. Juventus are also keen.

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The British Educational Travel Association (BETA) has announced that the 2026 Youth & Student Travel Summit (YSTS) will take place in Liverpool from 5–6 October 2026, bringing together key decision-makers from across the global youth, student and educational travel sector.
Following successful events in Manchester (2023), Bristol (2024) and Leeds (2025), the Summit continues BETA’s commitment to showcasing destinations across the UK and supporting the dispersal of international youth travellers beyond London.
A key feature of the 2026 Summit will be BETA’s international hosted buyer programme, which will bring 25–35 international buyers from key global markets to Liverpool. These buyers collectively send significant volumes of youth and student travellers to the UK each year and will take part in:

A dedicated business day at Liverpool Football Club on 6 October, featuring inspiring speakers, sector insights and a full programme of pre-arranged 1:1 business meetings with UK suppliers
A Welcome Reception at the iconic The Cavern Club on 5 October, offering delegates the opportunity to connect and experience one of Liverpool’s most famous cultural landmarks
A week-long familiarisation and stakeholder programme designed to showcase Liverpool’s cultural, educational and visitor experiences, while introducing buyers to the wider region and surrounding destinations

Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership said:
“Liverpool has a strong international reputation as a vibrant, welcoming and culturally rich destination, making it a natural fit for the Youth & Student Travel Summit.
The city offers a compelling mix of experiences for young travellers, from its world-famous musical heritage and iconic waterfront to major sporting venues, museums, and cultural attractions, providing rich opportunities for educational and youth-group itineraries.
We look forward to welcoming international buyers and industry leaders to experience the city first-hand, and to working with partners across the Liverpool City Region to create new opportunities that will bring more youth and student travellers to the area.”
The Summit will attract over 150 delegates, including educational travel providers, tour operators, destination marketing organisations, accommodation providers and policymakers. Through a combination of expert discussions, networking and targeted business meetings, the event aims to generate new partnerships and support the continued growth of the youth and student travel sector.
Emma English, Executive Director of the British Educational Travel Association, said:
“We are delighted to bring the Youth & Student Travel Summit to Liverpool in 2026. Liverpool is a city with a powerful global brand, rich cultural heritage and an exciting visitor offer that resonates strongly with young travellers.
By welcoming international buyers to experience the destination first-hand, alongside our focused business programme, we can help create new itineraries and partnerships that will bring more youth and student groups to Liverpool and the wider region in the years ahead.”
For more information and to register, click HERE.
 

Plans to improve the lives of people living with dementia and their families across the city have been unveiled by Liverpool City Council and its partners.

The Dementia Strategic Action Plan aims to strengthen support services, improve awareness of dementia, and ensure people living with the condition can stay active and connected to their communities. It also highlights the importance of supporting carers and loved ones who play a vital role.

In Liverpool, there are currently around 3,500 people living with a diagnosis of dementia. It is estimated that a further 1,600 people may be living with the condition without a formal diagnosis. By 2040, this number is expected to rise to over 7,000 people.

In response to the challenges a new strategy has been developed in partnership with health organisations NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board, Liverpool Dementia Action Alliance, people with lived experience, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, the Alzheimer’s Society, and Primary Care.

The strategy is built around five key priorities:

Preventing Well – Raising awareness of dementia and promoting healthier lifestyles.

Diagnosing Well – Improving timely access to diagnosis so that people can understand their condition earlier, access the right support.

Supporting Well – Ensuring people and their carers can access high-quality, coordinated support services, information and advice, particularly at key transition points.

Living Well – Helping people with dementia to remain active, independent and connected to their communities.

Dying Well – Making sure people receive person-centred end-of-life care that respects their wishes and supports families during difficult times.

As part of the official launch, the council also hosted a moving photography exhibition featuring people living with dementia alongside their carers and loved ones. It includes participants from Sedgemoor Dementia Care Hub in Norris Green, which is owned by the council, and Active Minds in Toxteth, a care provider working in partnership with the council.

Together, they have co-created an exhibition that captures powerful images alongside personal stories and honest reflections on life with dementia, highlighting both the positives and the challenges.

The exhibition will become part of Liverpool Dementia Action Alliance’s ongoing awareness-raising work across the city.

Councillor Angela Coleman, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “This Action Plan sets out our commitment to making Liverpool a place where people living with dementia feel understood, supported and valued. It’s about helping people to live well for as long as possible, while also ensuring carers and families have the support they need.

“The scale of the challenge is significant. That’s why it’s so important we work together. No single service or organisation can do this alone, and this plan brings together partners across health, social care, the council and the voluntary sector to make a real difference.”

Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Public Health, added: “Dementia affects many people across the city, and, for me, it’s something I have seen the impact of personally. Raising awareness is key to breaking down stigma and encouraging earlier access to support. This plan brings partners together with a shared focus on prevention, early diagnosis and helping people remain connected to their communities.”

Stephen Boswell visits Sedgemoor Dementia Care Hub and took part in the exhibition. #

He said: “I’ve really enjoyed being part of the photography exhibition. It’s given me the chance to share my story and show that life doesn’t stop with dementia, we can still live full lives. There are challenges, but there are also many good days, and its important people see the person, not just the condition.”