Liverpool fan killed ahead of Champions League match pictured as tributes paid

Liverpool fan Philip Joseph Dooley, 51, was hit by a car and died in Italy ahead of attending the Reds' opening match in the Champions League against Milan on Tuesday night

A Liverpool fan killed in Italy ahead of his side's opening Champions League match has been pictured for the first time, as tributes were paid to the "top man".

Philip Joseph Dooley, 51, was knocked down by a car as he crossed a road ahead of the match in Milan the next day. Reports from the scene say he had his passport and match ticket in his pocket at the time of the tragedy.

Mr Dooley had managed to cross three lanes of the highway before he was hit being struck. Italian outlets claim he was with two people at the time of the incident, believed to be a father and son. One fan wrote on X: "Top man and a massive support to my family. You will be sorely missed. YNWA."

Flowers were placed on the fan's seat in the San Siro stadium ahead of kick off on Tuesday. Merseyside Police said in a statement: "We can confirm Philip Joseph Dooley, 51, from Liverpool, sadly died after he was struck on a road in Bergamo in the early hours of today (Tues 17 Sep).

"Our officers have informed his next of kin. Two men who witnessed the incident are assisting the Italian police investigation."

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