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In the Rwandan genocide, neighbour slaughtered neighbour and communities were destroyed.

A million murders later, the traumatised central African nation was left with the problem of how to heal and move on from its bloody past.

Now a powerful episode of documentary series This is Football, produced by British production company October Films alongside Spanish firm Brutal Media, explores the story of how survivors turned to the beautiful game - and specifically Liverpool FC - for hope.

And the moment devoted fans travel 6,000 miles to see their heroes for the first time will leave viewers in tears.

In April 1994, Rwanda was in the midst of an uneasy peace treaty in a civil war between the government, dominated by members of the Hutu ethnic group, and the rebel Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF).

But the assassination of president Juvénal Habyarimana on April 6 plunged the country into chaos.

Hardline Hutu militias began the systematic slaughtering of members of the Tutsi ethnic group and moderate Hutus in towns and villages across the country.

The genocide sparked the RPF to resume the civil war and the rebel army, led by Paul Kagame, stormed the country from the north and defeated the government in the capital Kigali on July 4, commemorated now as Liberation Day.

The episode, called Redemption, opens with sweeping shots of capital Kigali while Gerry Marsden croons You'll Never Walk Alone.

In a scene that bring a smile to footy fans anywhere, viewers are introduced to the Rwandan Reds, who walk down the streets of the capital chanting "We are Liverpool La la la la la" decked out in Liverpool jerseys.

One member tells the film crew he named his son Ian Rush, while we hear from a woman who left her boyfriend because he was a Man United fan.

The documentary gives a voice to survivors like Claude, who learned his fanatical love of Liverpool from his adoptive father after his parents were slaughtered in the genocide.

During match between the Rwandan Reds and supporters of local club Rayon Sports, Claude explains how the scars of the past are soothed by football.

He tells the film crew: "I was in the orphanage with my adoption parent, who was really a good supporter of Liverpool football club. He was my father, I followed him everywhere he goes.

"I followed him to love Liverpool. Now, too many friends have come to be my friends because of Liverpool. When something has come and entered your heart, you can't have it another way."

There are also poignant scenes as national park guide Joe hands his young son a Liverpool top, with Kenny Dalglish's name on the back.

Joe says the sight makes him feel close to his own his father, who worshipped the Glaswegian icon, but who was tied up and hurled into a river to drown by militia men in 1994.

In touching scenes, Joe, Claude and other fans in the episode recall their memories of the legendary 2005 Champions League final against AC Milan in Istanbul.

The documentary also focuses on how the Rwandan national team helped the people move on from their nightmare.

We hear about how the fledgling side toppled footballing giants Ghana 1-0 to qualify for the African Cup of Nations in 2003, in a match which brought joy to the traumatised nation.

Joe explains: "That game and that day it was a redemption for Rwanda because we started from zero."

As Claude said: "In football there's no such thing as Hutus and Tutsis, we all play together."

The conclusion of the episode shows Joe, Claude and another member of the club in the streets of Liverpool taking in the sights and sounds of the city before heading to Anfield for the first time.

The footage of them joining in with thousands of other fans to sing 'You'll Never Walk Alone" makes for an emotional and joyful closing scene.

Paul Kagame, who entered politics after the war and is now president of Rwanda, tells the film crew: "You'll never walk alone is something that applies to all of us. In our country, we have dealt with so many challenges.

"And yet, I think we have overcome in many ways just because none of us has walked alone."

This is Football is available on Amazon now.