A lifelong Liverpool fan who saved up £10,000 to go to Madrid for the Champions League final will now use the money to pay for his own funeral.

Earlier this year Dave Evans had planned a trip to the Spanish capital, hoping to see his team lift the European trophy.

And after Liverpool stormed through each stage of the Champions League, Dave saved up enough money for the trip of a lifetime and booked a hotel.

But his dreams have been shattered after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer - forcing him to cancel the trip.

Now all Dave, from Coventry, and his family can hope for is that he makes it through the next few days so he can watch the final from a hospice bed.

(Image: Coventry Live)

Speaking to CoventryLive from New Zealand, his wife Liz said: "We first moved to New Zealand on December 19 2018, and on February 22 he was diagnosed with bile duct cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma).

"We were told it was inoperable, and without chemo, he would only have a few months to live.

"It was a massive shock to us as he wasn't ill beforehand. We had to have tests, scans and medicals done before we emigrated over here and nothing came up there.

"It was about a month after we got here that Dave got a stomach ache and we both had a tummy bug but mine cleared up and his didn't."

(Image: Coventry Live)

The GP sent Dave for some blood tests and he suspected gallstones, but it would be the following few weeks which would turn their lives upside down.

Liz said: "On February 4 he went for a scan and nothing was there but the doctor said he wanted him to go to the gastro department in the hospital and go from there.

"I was working on the floor above the one he was on in the hospital and got a text off him to say he was being admitted from outpatients.

"From there, they said they had found something but couldn't tell what it was so more tests were done.

"We tried to stay positive, but then a 12cm tumour was found, and we just couldn't believe it. We were in denial."

When the tumour was found, the cancer was in its final stages, and only chemotherapy would prolong Dave's life.

Within eight weeks of the diagnosis, the tumour had grown three times the size.

(Image: Coventry Live)

Just three weeks ago, Dave was given two weeks to live. He's now fighting every day to stay alive to also see the match on Saturday.

Liz said: "It was total devastation.

"Me and Dave moved here for a healthier life, we had always been outdoors, we loved the beaches here and got a beautiful lifestyle.

"Every test from there on in shown this tumour. Only chemo would prolong his life, but after two sessions his body couldn't take it.

"We were told he had two weeks to live, but that was three weeks ago. He’s in pain and fighting to stay alive to watch this game."

Liz added: "We managed to save £10,000 for the trip to Madrid but that has now paid for Dave's funeral.

"Last week, I was really upset so I set out to get video messages from Liverpool legends past and present.

(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

"We've already had a couple of videos and I think the dream would be to get a message from Steven Gerrard.

"It's really made Dave smile, and kept us positive."

But his wife has also set out to get as many videos well wishes from Liverpool legends past and present.

Jamie Redknapp sent a video saying: "Hi Dave it's Jamie Redknapp here, how you doing mate, I heard its been a tough time for you lately but you're keeping strong and you've got a massive game on Saturday to look forward to.

"I'm in New York at the moment so will be watching, cheering the reds on fingers crossed we can do it."

In another video featuring Steve McMahon, John Aldridge and Ronnie Whelan, club legend Ronnie says: "Let's hope we bring the cup home on Saturday", while John Aldridge tells Dave "You'll Never Walk Alone".

You can donate here .