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Jeremy Corbyn walked on stage to a hero's welcome in Liverpool - and told people to get ready for the fight of their lives.

A packed house at the Grand Central hall in Renshaw Street had a party atmosphere and showed that the Labour leader is still a big hit in this city.

It may not have been St George's Hall in 2016 - but there was enough evidence tonight to show that plenty of people still believe in what Mr Corbyn is trying to do.

He has always enjoyed coming to Liverpool - and praised the city for its "music, culture and socialism".

(Image: PA)

After a successful day in Parliament frustrating Boris Johnson's Brexit deal, the Labour leader promised the crowd that he would do everything to stop the country from heading for a "race to the bottom - and into the arms of Donald Trump".

In the 2017 General Election campaign, Mr Corbyn whittled down a huge polling gap with a series of energetic rallies - including a memorable one in Wirral where many believe the now famous 'Oh Jeremy Corbyn' chant was first coined.

And he was back on Merseyside amongst friends tonight for what felt like the start of a General Election campaign - with a vote surely set to be called in the coming weeks or months.

And it didn't take long for the song to ring out again around the packed hall.

He spoke about the grinding austerity that Liverpool has suffered through in the past ten years - and the fact that one in three children in the city are now growing up in poverty.

These were messages shared on stage by Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson and Walton MP Dan Carden - who both energised the crowd before the leader arrived.

(Image: PA)

The biggest boo of the night was not for Boris Johnson or Theresa May - who were of course heavily booed - but for former Department for Work and Pensions chief Iain Duncan Smith.

This was followed by one of the biggest cheers when the Labour leader reaffirmed the party's plan to scrap the Universal Credit benefits system that has spread so much misery across this city.

Finishing his speech to rapturous applause he said: "Can I thank you personally for the support you have given me over the past five years - I am utterly determined that we are ready for an election and to win an election and elect a Labour government."

Mr Corbyn won't have any problems retaining seats in Liverpool - but he knows that nearby constituencies in Southport, Birkenhead and Wirral West could play a huge role in how the next election pans out.

And with that in mind he delivered a rallying cry to his faithful supporters - "get ready for the fight of your lives".

The ECHO spoke to Jeremy Corbyn about Brexit, Louise Ellman's resignation and claims of a stitch-up in selections. The interview will be published on Sunday.