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Liverpool fans were left angry after being turned away from Anfield as part of unexpected "ticket investigations".

Confused fans arrived at the stadium on Saturday for Liverpool's home tie against Southampton only to find their tickets had "stopped working."

According to the Spirit of Shankly supporters' group, this meant a number of fans couldn't get in to the game, which the Reds won 3-0.

Fans were allegedly asked for ID and then told new season ticket cards would be sent out, or that their tickets were "under investigation."

(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Earlier this month, Liverpool FC's chief operating officer Andy Hughes promised the club had moved away from ticket suspensions pending investigations.

He said a new process had been adopted which meant an investigation would be conducted and presented to a panel before any sanctions were triggered.

The new process was also meant to involve the option for fans to launch appeals if they disagreed with the outcome of an investigation.

However, reports of incidents of fans being refused entry to the stadium on Saturday suggest this new approach has not been implemented.

A spokesperson for Liverpool FC told the ECHO: “The club has a dedicated team that works to protect our supporters from unofficial tickets and the implications of ticket touting.

"We are aware of a number of recent issues in relation to supporters’ membership and season ticket cards not working on entry to the stadium.

“We encourage any supporter who feels that their membership card or season ticket has been affected in error to contact us with their full details.”

(Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

The Spirit of Shankly supporters' group shared a statement this morning saying members were "alarmed" that fans had been stopped from entering Anfield after being told their tickets were "under investigation."

A spokesperson for Spirit of Shankly said: "Since the weekend match versus Southampton, and subsequent social media posts, supporters have contacted us complaining about problems entering Anfield.

"It appears tickets have been stopped from working, having been identified as part of ticketing investigations.

"Supporters, who are none the wiser to this, are asked for ID, told new cards will be sent out or in some cases the tickets are under investigation."

The statement, which was shared with supporters this morning, said: "Spirit Of Shankly is alarmed at this approach from the club.

"We spent many hours earlier this year and throughout the summer working with the club, helping them to establish a new approach and process on supporter issues, investigations and possible sanctions. We believed this was positive and in good faith.

"At the same time, we have been in conversations with the club as part of the ticket accessibility Forum, looking to find adequate ways to facilitate what already happens – tickets being shared amongst friends, family and in several cases not in the name of the person affected.

"It is on the latter point that we are representing supporter views on a proposed ‘amnesty’ to ensure tickets are in the correct name.

"It would therefore be sensible if the club were to pause on any action around tickets being shared or passed on. It was our understanding that this was in place but it would appear this is not the case.

"We understand the club has a responsibility to supporters and wants to tackle serious issues about tickets, including touting. That is their job.

"But the club has acknowledged that supporters do share tickets for many reasons including cost, work and family commitments, and that a solution needs to be found to this in this first instance.

"However, it would appear from reports received that this is not happening. We have contacted the club to ask for urgent clarification on this and for it to stop.

"We have asked them to ensure that supporters are not affected attending tonight’s match versus Chelsea."

An update from the Liverpool FC Fan Forum published earlier this month addressed a number of incidents last season of fans being ejected from the stadium.

The incidents prompted a review of the club's supporter charter, headed by chief operating officer Andy Hughes.

In a statement shared earlier this month, following the Fan Forum discussion, Andy Hughes said: "We knew we had some issues with the process and as a result we have been working over the summer to make the improvements we feel are necessary to make it fit for purpose.

“This has included consulting with James McKenna from Spirit of Shankly whose input has been really helpful and we have also sought guidance from the Independent Football Ombudsman who, again, has provided us with assistance."

Mr Hughes said the club had produced a first draft of what would eventually become the new supporter charter and said a number of changes had already been enacted "because it was clearly the right thing to do."

Any fans who feel their membership cards or season tickets have been affected in error are asked to contact the club with their full details by calling 0151 264 2500 or visiting their website .