LIVERPOOL, England — In the middle of the bustling city center last week, not far from the merriment of the famed Albert Dock, a man set up a makeshift kiosk to peddle Liverpool F.C. scarves. Over the course of a lunch hour it seemed he always had a customer or two, and to understand the emotions that drive most fans here, one needed to look only at the three scarves displayed prominently across the top of the man’s tent.

In the center of the first red scarf, in big block letters, was the club’s name: LIVERPOOL.

In the center of the second red scarf, in big block letters, was the name of the club’s star striker: LUIS SUAREZ.

And in the center of the third red scarf, in big block letters, was the mission that has lingered over Liverpool fans — Liverpool residents, really — for the last 25 years: JUSTICE.

In many ways, it was appropriate that the messages were next to one another but separate. For although there is an easy story line to seize upon — a city still mourning a vast tragedy finds inspiration in the chase for an unexpected championship — the truth is a bit more complex.