Liverpool are braced for an influx of Red Star Belgrade fans despite a UEFA ban.
The Serbian champions will travel to Anfield for next Wednesday’s Champions League encounter but have been forbidden from selling tickets to supporters.
European football’s governing body imposed the sanction on Red Star following their comeback against RB Salzburg in August’s decisive group stage qualifier.
A pitch invasion and setting off fireworks were among the charges levelled, with UEFA ordering the club not to sell tickets for their next two European away games.
But Merseyside Police are on alert ahead of the Anfield encounter after many Red Star fans still appeared in the stadium for their 6-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Match commander superintendent Paul White said: “We are aware of the UEFA ban on Red Star Belgrade selling tickets for this fixture to their fans.
“We will have a comprehensive policing operation in place, working alongside both clubs and Serbian police, in preparation for this fixture to ensure spectators are kept safe and to smoothly facilitate the movements of those travelling to and from the game.
“There will be additional officers on duty at the ground and we will have a city centre policing plan in place throughout the day, to further ensure that spectators and visitors to the city are kept safe.”