Liverpool FC is taking a stand against homophobia this weekend by becoming the first Premier League club to be officially represented at a UK ‘Pride’ event.

The club will provide a banner for Liverpool Pride on Saturday, while representatives from LFC Ladies and the LFC Foundation will march alongside LFC LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender).

The Reds will also have a stall at the festival’s Pier Head site and will provide signed merchandise for fundraising auctions.

Last year more than 44,000 people supported the event.

Headline acts for this year’s festival include Dance Dynamix, Marcus Collins, Jess Wright and Sophie.

Managing director Ian Ayre said: “Here at LFC, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to ensuring that equality and principles of inclusion are embedded into all areas of Liverpool Football Club and for many years we have taken positive steps to promote our stance against homophobia both on and off the pitch.

“I am delighted to confirm that some club employees and members from the Liverpool Ladies squad will be participating in the event.

“The event is certainly a positive talking point around Liverpool and it’s an excellent platform to attract local communities and people from across the country to experience the diverse culture of our fantastic city.”

LFC has already worked with Liverpool Pride on the Football v Homophobia tournament, which was hosted at the club’s Academy for the first time earlier this year.

The club also supports the Justin Campaign, a national initiative aiming to challenge LGBT misconceptions.

Zoran Blackie, chair of Liverpool Pride, said: “Liverpool Football Club have been going through huge changes and one of them is to work closely with all their supporters.

“Now by standing alongside us for the march, LFC are showing the LGBT community in the city that ‘we’ll never walk alone’.”

Liverpool Pride 2012 will take place at the city’s iconic Pier Head and throughout the Stanley Street Quarter.

The festival’s ‘Nautical but Nice’ theme coincides with the 100-year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic and also celebrates the city’s rich maritime history.

If you want to find out more about the event click here>>

Jamie Carragher admitted it was a proud night for him to make his 700th Liverpool appearance in the 1-0 victory over FC Gomel – but insisted it was more significant the team recorded a win in Brendan Rodgers’ first competitive game in charge.

The defender led the Reds out in Belarus on his landmark night as Stewart Downing’s late goal ensured it ended in success.

However, while delighted to have reached the milestone, Carragher was eager to stress Rodgers picking up a win in his first competitive game in charge was more important than his own personal accolade.

“Every game for Liverpool is a massive game – it doesn’t matter where it is – and I’m delighted and proud to have played that many games for the club,” he told Liverpoolfc.com at the Central Stadion.

“It was a nice night for me on that score, but it was more important because it was the manager’s first game. That’s more important than me playing 700 games.

“It’s a big thing for a manager in his first game, especially playing in Europe. It’s a big thing for Liverpool, great tradition, and it’s great we got the victory for the manager more than anything.

“As I said, his first game was more important than my 700.”

Liverpool were made to work hard for their win by a Gomel side 15 games into their season in the Belarusian top flight.

Carragher admitted the fact both teams were at different levels of fitness was a factor, but felt the workout did the Reds good as they gear up for the start of the Barclays Premier League season.

He said: “We’re pleased with the victory. It was a tough game, as European away games always are. They’re in the middle of a season and I think you could see that in the fitness levels – they were much better at times than us.

“With fitness levels, it doesn’t matter who you’re playing against, whatever level it is, if they’re half-way through their season it’s going to be tough.

“Some of our lads were playing their first game. It was the first time I’ve played 90 minutes and it was the same for a few of us. It was a very tough game and you’d probably say they had the better of the game, to be fair. 

“But that’s what playing in Europe is about, getting the win and a vital away goal puts us in a strong position. We’re delighted to come away with the victory.”

Meanwhile, Carragher was keen to pay tribute to the Liverpool fans in attendance at the Central Stadion, some of whom had undertaken a mammoth journey from Merseyside to cheer on the Reds.

He said: “My dad normally comes (to games), but even he said it’d be a nightmare trying to get here and never made it.

“All credit to the lads and supporters who made it here. Going back will be tough as well, but there will be a few stories to tell, I’m sure!”

Get your tickets for Liverpool’s Anfield clashes with FC Gomel and Bayer Leverkusen now>>

Stewart Downing has explained how taking Brendan Rodgers’ advice paid instant dividends as he fired the winner in Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over FC Gomel on Thursday night.

The winger cut inside from the right and drilled a left-foot shot home on 68 minutes to settle a tough contest in Belarus and secure a result that means the Reds have taken a big step towards the Europa League proper.

And afterwards Downing revealed how heeding the guidance of his new manager has already paid off.

The winger told Liverpoolfc.com in Gomel: “The ball fell to me and I thought about how the manager has been saying to come inside and get a shot off, so that’s what I was looking to do. Luckily for me it went in. I was happy with the strike.

“It was a tough game, which is what we were expecting. They made it hard for us, but our patience paid off. We kept the ball, kept moving it and we got our reward with the goal.

“We were lucky at times, but our back four defended very well.

“They gave us a good test and fitness-wise it was good for us. A lot of the lads played their first 90 minutes, so it was a good test for us and probably something we needed with the season only two weeks away.”

Downing operated on both the left and right flanks at the Central Stadion and insists he’s happy to fill whichever position Rodgers sees fit.

“I’m not fussed, as long as I’m in the team,” he stated. “That’s the main thing. The competition for places is hot here and wherever the manager sees me playing, I’m happy to play there.

“I got the goal from the right, but if he wants me to play on the left I’m happy to do that as well.”

Downing also reserved a word of praise for the Liverpool fans who braved the arduous journey to Gomel to show their support for the team.

He said: “It was brilliant to see them here. I was on about it with the lads – I can’t believe how much support we get in the countries we go to.

“Credit to them for travelling all that way and we could hear them over their fans. I’m glad we got the victory for them.”

Get your tickets for Liverpool’s Anfield clashes with FC Gomel and Bayer Leverkusen now>>