Liverpool FC Anfield
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It’s set to be a very busy weekend in the City of Liverpool, which is bracing for unprecedented crowds this weekend as global fans descend on the city ahead of Monday’s Premier League victory parade.
The event, celebrating Liverpool FC’s 20th league title, coincides with the Bank Holiday weekend and BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend festival at Sefton Park, creating a storm of activity.
Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport expects record arrivals with many fans flying via Manchester Airport. Accommodation prices have skyrocketed as well.
The 15km parade route from Allerton Maze to Blundell Street will draw over 700,000 spectators, while road closures – including The Strand and Leeds Street from 4 AM – will gridlock the city center.
But while the attention is on the on-field achievements, the club is not resting on their laurels.
The Northern Echo has reported that Liverpool have welcomed former winger Stewart Downing back to the club in a surprise appointment, naming the 40-year-old as their new global talent scout.
The outlet report that the unexpected chance to move into scouting was immediately attractive to Downing.
Over the past few months, he has dedicated himself to thoroughly preparing for this new chapter and has now officially begun working with the Premier League champions—a club he has maintained close ties with ever since his playing days at Anfield.
Liverpool describes global talent scouts as staff members who “use experience and knowledge to accurately showcase high potential players to global talent staff” and “extend our reach to support the quick identification of high-profile players from around the world”.
Downing arrived at Liverpool in July 2011 under Kenny Dalglish, joining in a £20 million deal from Aston Villa.
Deployed primarily as a left winger, he made 91 appearances, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists.
He won the 2011–12 League Cup and made an FA Cup final appearance during his short stint at the Reds.
The move marks a full-circle moment for the Middlesbrough legend.
Post-Liverpool, Downing returned to Middlesbrough, helping them secure Premier League promotion in 2016, before concluding his playing career at Blackburn Rovers in 2021.
He earned 35 caps for England, featuring in the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2012.
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