Liverpool fan dies in Milan just hours before Champions League kick-off
A Liverpool fan has sadly passed away after travelling to watch his side play AC Milan in the Champions League.
Thousands of supporters have made the trip to watch the Reds take part in their first Champions League match of the season.
They play AC Milan at the famous San Siro but tragedy has struck just hours before the two sides were set to meet.
Merseyside Police confirmed that 51-year-old Philip Joseph Dooley has passed away after being struck by a car.
A Liverpool fan has tragically died ahead of their match against AC Milan
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The Liverpool supporter was hit by a vehicle as he tried to cross the A4 motorway near the Orio al Serio Airport in Bergamo.
He had only just landed at the Bergamo airport after flying in from Manchester, arriving in Italy just around midnight.
Mr Dooley was found with his passport in his pocket, as well as tickets to the match, which is scheduled for Tuesday night.
Another two supporters had crossed the road with the male, a father and son, but neither were harmed.
They are now assisting Italian police with the investigation, Merseyside Police have confirmed.
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It has been reported that the fan was trying to cross the motorway to reach the NH Hotel where he was staying, though this has yet to be officially confirmed.
The airport is just outside of the city of Milan, where the San Siro is situated.
Police are also trying to work out whether the supporter was in an 'altered psychophysical state', which might have affected his decision to make the crossing.
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Merseyside police have confirmed a fan has died ahead of the match
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The incident happened in the early hours of Tuesday morning, less than 24 hours before Liverpool kick off their European campaign.
The Reds will be keen to return to winning ways after a shock defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Callum Hudson-Odoi scored the only goal of the match - the first that has been conceded under new boss Arne Slot - to hand Liverpool their first loss of the season.
Liverpool and AC Milan have grand history in the Champions League, famously meeting in Istanbul in 2005.
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Liverpool fans have travelled to the San Siro
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The Italians raced into a 3-0 lead before half-time but the Anfield outfit stunned Milan by mounting an incredible comeback to level the scores and win on penalties.
AC Milan did exact their revenge, though, winning the Champions League against Liverpool in a repeat of 2005 two years later.
Filippo Inzaghi struck twice in a 2-1 win with Dirk Kuyt scoring a late consolation goal.