Liverpool releases statement and hands out lifetime bans after police involved in scandal

Liverpool has released a statement as it continues its efforts to get full control over its ticketing operation. The club has updated suppporters on its attempts to shut down bots and fake accounts amid a war on touting.

For many fans, being able to easily get a ticket to Anfield is not something they have experienced in their lifetime. The success during the Jurgen Klopp era made a challenging prospect even more daunting — to a certain extent, that is the reality of supporting a massive and successful club.

Owners FSG have been committed to expanding Anfield, which is a welcome development. But even this has struggled to make a real dent in the ticket supply issue, despite the final completion of the revamped Anfield Road End over the summer to take capacity to over 61,000.

• Jurgen Klopp reignites Sergio Ramos feud with criticism of 'brutal' Liverpool incident

• Arne Slot drops Wataru Endo hint after hooking Liverpool midfielder against Brighton

Seeing the Reds will always be among the hottest tickets in town, especially as Arne Slot continues to take the team from strength to strength. But there can be little doubt that touts have also made it far harder for genuine fans to watch Liverpool, an issue which the club has assured supporters it is treating with the utmost seriousness.

The latest statement details a crackdown by the club, along with the police. Liverpool has revealed that it has shut down almost 100,000 fake accounts, with a further 5,670 currently under review.

Last season, Liverpool issued 75 lifetime bans in relation to touting issues, along with 136 indefinite suspensions. Among the suspicious activity currently being investigated is the supply of tickets to persons recently charged by Merseyside Police for fraud related to ticket touting.

Liverpool says it has increased its investment in anti-touting measures this season. That involves online steps and a greater "boots-on-the-ground" presence.

The club has also reminded supporters where it can officially buy tickets. That includes the official site, where general admission and hospitality tickets can be purchased.

A limited number of official partners are also licensed to sell hospitality packages. A list of those partners can be viewed here.

Liverpool.com says: Anecdotally, more tickets have become available through official channels this season. For qualifying members, returned seats have occasionally been on sale (albeit quickly snapped up) on the morning of Premier League matchdays.

As well as the greater capacity inside Anfield, that suggests potential progress against the touts. The numbers shared by the club prove that the scandal is at the very least being taken seriously.

Ultimately, it shouldn't be too much to ask that tickets go to people whose only intention is to go and watch the team they love, charged at face value. Let's hope Liverpool continues to beef up the measures it has in place.