We took a trip around L4 to find the soul of the culture surrounding the Reds' ground - and how the influx of supporters transforms the community

There’s always a buzz around Anfield when Liverpool play at home, and in the hours before the match the area is transformed.

Like a big family reunion, the gathering of fans pre-match around the ground has its routine - you go to the same place for your (chippy) tea, you like to sit in the same seat at the pub and you want a good natter with everyone, from the old timers to newer fans hoping beyond hope to see their first title season.

Like any loving family, they support each other and only ask that the head of the house, the club, do their best.

Before Wednesday's Premier League draw with Leicester City, the ECHO joined fans in L4 to capture these pre-match rituals and find out why fans believe the combination of the ground's surroundings and the fans who make their way there every other week are so special.

ECHO photographer James Maloney's evocative pictures capture the striking difference matchday makes to Anfield - and the importance of football to the soul of our city.