For the millions of fans who sing “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” the Liver Bird is more than just a symbol. The mythical creature that adorns the iconic red shirt is an intrinsic part of the city’s identity. Yet, the story of how this mythical creature migrated from the city’s 18th-century coat of arms to the famous red shirt is a journey filled with mystery and evolution.
While the city’s heraldry originally featured a cormorant — possibly a seventeenth-century artist’s mistake when attempting to replicate King John’s eagle — the club adopted the Liver Bird as its own during its inaugural 1892 season. Early evidence shows the bird proudly displayed on flags and appearing on winners’ medals as early as 1901, long before it became a permanent fixture on the players’ chests.
Curiously, the iconic crest didn’t actually appear on match jerseys until after World War II, featuring on the 1953-54 team shirts within an elegant shield. The mid-century era was defined by a tug-of-war for identity; in 1961, the City Council famously denied the club permission to use the official civic arms, forcing the football club to develop a unique aesthetic that would take on a life of its own.
From the simplified “L.F.C.” embroidery of the Shankly era to the intricate, trademarked designs of the 1970s and 80s, the crest has shifted from a functional stamp to a global brand. Whether appearing on worn plastic plaques or modern kits, the Liver Bird remains a constant, evolving through the club’s 1992 centenary to the flame-flanked version recognised across the world today.
How Did the Liver Bird Become a Part of the City’s Heritage?
The Liver Bird’s journey from a royal seal to a city icon is a classic case of Chinese whispers. In 1207, King John adopted the Eagle of St. John as Liverpool’s symbol, but crude medieval carvings left the bird’s identity ambiguous. By the 17th century, locals mistook the eagle for a cormorant, a common Mersey seabird.
By 1797, the Liver Bird was officially recognised as a cormorant clutching laver (seaweed). Today, this accidental myth remains a global symbol of city pride. While historians like William Enfield dismissed the creature as a myth, the 1911 installation of the two massive, non-traditional bird effigies atop the Royal Liver Building transformed the Liver Bird from a mere design blunder into a legendary guardian.
Beyond the Anfield Pitch
The mythical birds that inspired Liverpool’s Liver Bird continue to soar through modern pop culture, branding, and entertainment as symbols of power and prestige. In iGaming, the falcon-headed Horus from Ancient Egypt remains a staple of slots like Eye of Horus and Kingdom of Horus. These titles have become favourites at popular casino online UK platforms alongside well-established slots like the Big Bass series. Similarly, the Griffin – a legendary guardian from Greek and Persian antiquity –serves as the iconic, crowned logo for Swedish automotive giants Saab and Scania.
Elsewhere, the Phoenix of Greek and Egyptian lore lends its name and fiery image to sports franchises like the Phoenix Suns and Wellington Phoenix FC. This global fascination extends to the East too, with the Fenghuang, the “Chinese Phoenix”, which appears in the intricate embroidery of Gucci and Alexander McQueen collections as a definitive mark of luxury and yin-yang balance.
An Eternal Guardian
Whether a royal eagle or a mythical cormorant, the Liver Bird has transcended its confused origins to become an eternal guardian. For every Red, it remains the ultimate badge of honour; a symbol of a city, a club, and a history that will never walk alone.
