If you’ve ever stood in the away end, squeezed into a packed pub before kick-off, or scrolled through Liverpool Twitter after a big win, you’ve probably heard it: “Up the Reds!” It’s a phrase that’s as much a part of Liverpool FC as the red shirt, the Kop, and the sound of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” echoing around Anfield. But where did it come from, and why does it mean so much to so many?
Where It All Began
The roots of “Up the Reds” go back decades, woven into the fabric of Merseyside football culture. While it’s hard to pin down the exact moment it first appeared, the phrase is a natural extension of the way Scousers have always talked about their team. “Up the…” has long been a way to show support—think “Up the Toffees” for Everton, or “Up the Villa” for Aston Villa. But for Liverpool, “Up the Reds” just fits. It’s simple, direct, and unmistakably ours.
In the terraces of the 1970s and 80s, as Liverpool conquered England and Europe, “Up the Reds” became a rallying cry. It was shouted in celebration after a last-minute winner, muttered in hope before a tough away day, and scribbled on banners and scarves that travelled from Anfield to Athens and everywhere in between.
What makes “Up the Reds” special isn’t just the words themselves—it’s the feeling behind them. It’s the way a stranger in a Liverpool shirt will nod and say it as you pass on the street, or how it pops up at the end of a text from your mate after a big result. It’s the sign-off on fan blogs, the hashtag on social media, and the shout you hear as the team bus pulls up outside a stadium far from home.
For many, it’s a phrase that brings back memories: the first time you heard it as a kid, the away days with your dad, the nights out after a European win, or the long journeys home when all you could do was keep the faith. “Up the Reds” is a way of saying, “We’re in this together.” It’s hope, pride, and a bit of cheek all rolled into one.
Today, “Up the Reds” is everywhere. It’s in the captions of Instagram posts from fans in New York, Nairobi, and New Brighton. It’s the last thing you see in a WhatsApp group before a big game. It’s on t-shirts, mugs, and even tattoos. And while the world of football has changed—new owners, new players, new stadiums—the spirit behind those three words hasn’t.
You’ll hear it in the pubs around Anfield before kick-off, in the concourses at half-time, and in the songs that fill the air after a famous win. It’s a phrase that unites generations, from the old boys who remember Shankly and Paisley to the kids who idolise Salah and Trent.
In a world where football can sometimes feel distant or commercial, “Up the Reds” is a reminder of what really matters: the fans, the community, and the shared love of the game. It’s a phrase that belongs to everyone who’s ever cheered for Liverpool, whether you’re a season ticket holder or you’ve only ever watched from afar.
So next time you hear it—on the terraces, in a message, or shouted across a crowded street—remember you’re part of something bigger. It’s not just a saying. It’s a badge of honour, a bit of Scouse magic, and a thread that ties us all together, wherever we are in the world.
Up the Reds—always.