Founded in 1892, Liverpool FC has grown to become one of the most successful football clubs in the history of the game, with the Red half of Merseyside accumulating 19 Premier League/First Division titles, 8 FA Cups, 9 League Cups, a British-record 6 European Cup/Champions League wins, and more. That’s a serious haul of trophies and a record which few clubs can match.
Underpinning that success has been an endless conveyor belt of talent with Ian Rush, John Barnes, Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalgleish, Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard, and Mo Salah being just a selection of the star names to have graced the Anfield turf over the years.
That combination of success and big-name players can prove irresistible for fledgling football fans seeking a side to call their own. It is, of course, no surprise that the Reds have a significant following within hailing distance of the ground, but few British clubs (perhaps only Manchester United) can boast such a wide-ranging and far-flung fanbase.
There is no shortage of average Joes, Jakubs and Jonases within that global fan base, but also in the mix are a selection of far more famous individuals. Here, we run through the smorgasboard of star names to have revealed a red-hued footballing inclination, including stars of the big screen, the music industry, and more.
Reds in the Movies
- Daniel Craig – Raised in Liverpool, Craig is a lifelong Reds fan and has put forward the name of Jürgen Klopp as his 007 successor. A German Bond? Now that would be controversial!
- Jason Isaacs – Born in Liverpool in 1963, the man behind Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter series is a die-hard fan who recently narrated a Liverpool FC documentary.
- Kim Catrall – Now a Canadian citizen, the Sex And The City star was, in fact, born in Liverpool. Occasionally sighted in the Anfield crowd, Kim frequently professes her love for all things red and loathing of all things blue.
- Brad Pitt – Pitt cited his Reds allegiance in a 2011 interview, stating the influence of his friends as the driving force behind his Liverpool love.
- Angelina Jolie – Perhaps one of those friends was Pitt’s ex-wife Angelina Jolie, who inherited her Anfield leanings from father Billy Bob Thornton.
- Ricky Tomlinson – The least surprising entry on our list so far. There’s no disguising the Liverpool roots of The Royal Family star, who is regularly spotted in the stands and is certainly more of a diehard fan than some of the above Hollywood names who may be more fans in name only.
- Adam Woodyatt – When not enduring seemingly endless catastrophes as Ian Beale in Eastenders, Adam can be spotted cheering on the Reds, whom he has supported since childhood. Suffice to say, he isn’t a Scouser!
- Mike Myers – “Yeah, Baby!” the Austin Powers actor may seem an unlikely Liverpool supporter, but both parents hail from the Old Swan area of the city.
- Clive Owen – Movie star Owen eschewed the Sky Blue of his native Coventry to tie his colours to the Anfield mast. Remaining a dedicated fan to this day, Owen narrated the 2012 TV show, Being: Liverpool.
- Samuel L Jackson – One of Hollywood’s most prolific actors, Jackson reportedly fell in love with Liverpool and the football club whilst filming the 2001 release 51st State.
- Craig Charles – Within 30 seconds of watching Red Dwarf, you would have a 50/50 chance of correctly predicting the footballing allegiance of this famous scouser. Those plumping for the red side of Merseyside would be correct.
- Millie Bobby Brown – Born in Marbella and brought up in Bournemouth, the Stranger Things starlet hails from a family of Liverpool fans and has been photographed in a customised “Millie 11” Liverpool strip.
- Michael Fassbender – German/Irish Fassbender, of course, supports Liverpool, having accidentally become a fan when gifted unwanted Liverpool paraphernalia by his Manchester United supporting cousin!
Merseyside Loving Musicians
- Lana Del Rey – Introduced to the club by her manager, Lana has even recorded a version of You’ll Never Walk Alone!
- Gary Barlow – The Back For Good crooner may not have the Scouse accent, but was born in Frodsham Cheshire, only 26 miles from Liverpool, and is a regular at Liverpool home games.
- Dr Dre – Born considerably further away, the Chronic rap tycoon sites the beginning of his Liverpool love affair as one day in 1988 when “these cool cats in red came on the box”. We are not convinced he could name the starting XI for the Miracle of Istanbul, however!
- Chris De Burgh – And we always thought the “Lady In Red” was sporting a fetching frock. Perhaps it was a Liverpool top, after all?
- Mel C – Much like Tomlinson and Charles, Sporty Spice is no wannabe glory hunter but simply supports her local side.
- Elvis Costello – Born in London, Elvis – or Declan Patrick MacManus on his birth certificate – moved to Birkenhead early in life and inherited his Red passion from his Liverpudlian mother and father.
Laughing All the Way to Anfield
- John Bishop – Despite being born in Everton, Red is the colour for former professional footballer Bishop, who is a long-time season ticket holder at Anfield.
- Les Dennis – Comedian and TV host Dennis is another Liverpool native. Les likely had little choice in his footballing preference, with his father having been a member of the Liverpool squad. As to whether he truly qualifies as a comedian, that’s another matter!
- Johnny Vegas – Born in St. Helens, rugby League is Johnny’s first sporting love, but when it comes to football, his heart belongs to Liverpool, with the comedian spotted in a Liverpool shirt at the 2006 FA Cup Final.
- Jimmy Tarbuck – Now into his 80s, Tarbuck is a lifelong supporter of his boyhood club. He will also be the envy of most on this list, having scored at the Kop End as a guest player in a 1977 testimonial game.
- Russell Howard – Born and educated in Bristol, Howard overlooked the red of City to support the Anfield men. First attending a game in 1991, Howard holds a season ticket to this day.
- Lee Evans – Sticking to the Bristolian comedian theme, funnyman Evans is another who looked to the North West for his football club.
Sporting Stars
- Caroline Wozniacki – Retired Grand Slam-winning tennis star Wozniacki is a lifelong Liverpool fan, having “wanted to be different” from her Manchester United supporting brother.
- LeBron James – More than just a supporter, the NBA legend is estimated to own around 2% of the club courtesy of his relationship with the Fenway Sports Group.
- Darren Clarke – Open Championship-winning golfer Clarke was born in County Tyrone in 1968 and began supporting Liverpool to wind up his Everon mad father.
A Model, a President, and the Pope
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- Jodie Kidd – Descended from Barons and married to a Captain, Blue-blooded supermodel Kidd was born in Guildford, Surrey, but is a self-confessed “massive Liverpool fan”.
- Nelson Mandela – We finish with two of the biggest names of the 20th century. First up, one of the most influential figures in the history of South Africa, who admitted his affection for the club when presented with a shirt by John Barnes in 1994.
- Pope John Paul II – Last but not least, no less a figure than the former head of the Catholic faith, who, according to former Liverpool keeper Jerzy Dudek, was “always watching our games, and … always thinking of me when Liverpool play”