- Liverpool have named the 51-year-old they called a ‘lifelong fan of the club’
- The tragedy occurred the night before Liverpool’s Champions League match
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A Liverpool fan in Italy to watch their Champions League match against AC Milan has died after a collision with a vehicle as he crossed a road.
Philip Joseph Dooley, 51, from Liverpool, died after the accident in Bergamo at 1am on Tuesday, Merseyside Police said.
Two men who witnessed the incident are helping Italian police with their investigation. Merseyside Police are also assisting authorities in Italy.
The lifelong Liverpool supporter had travelled to Italy for the club’s opening Champions League game on Tuesday night.
A club spokesman said: ‘Our staff in Milan are working with the local police and consulate, and continue to provide support to other fans impacted by this devastating incident.
Liverpool and AC Milan officials laid flowers on the seat of Philip Dooley, 51, who died in Italy before the match
The supporter was killed after trying to cross the A4 motorway in Milan to get to their hotel
Liverpool face AC Milan at the San Siro in their first match of the Champions League
‘The thoughts and prayers of everyone connected to the club are with Philip’s family, friends and fellow supporters at this extremely difficult time.
‘Rest in peace, Philip.’
The tragedy occurred less than 24 hours before Liverpool’s first match of the Champions League against AC Milan at the San Siro.
Reports in Italy claimed he had a ticket for the game in his pocket along with his passport at the time of death.
Police are also investigating if the fan was ‘in an altered psychophysical state that may have influenced his actions’.
It will be the fifth Champions League meeting between the two, with their most famous encounter being the 2005 final in Istanbul when Liverpool came back from 3-0 down to win on penalties.
The teams met in the Champions League final once again just two years later as Milan exacted revenge with a 2-1 victory.
Liverpool go into their Champions League opener on the back of their first defeat of the season
Liverpool and Milan were also drawn in the same group during the 2021/22 Champions League, with the Reds winning both encounters.
Arne Slot’s side go into their Champions League opener on the back of their first defeat of the Premier League season after Anthony Elanga’s strike handed Nottingham Forest a shock win at Anfield last Saturday.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk