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Players of Liverpool celebrate towards The Kop at full time during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 7, 2019(Image: Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Driver snared in undercover sting at Liverpool vs Barcelona game

He wasn't celebrating the Reds winning 4-0 and getting to the final

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Undercover sting at Liverpool's Champions League semi final against Barcelona sees driver snared

A private hire driver has been heavily fined after he was caught illegally trying to pick up people and charge extortionate fares after Liverpool's thrilling Champions League semi-final win over Barcelona at Anfield.

Seyed Saeed Shojaei, who is licensed by Sefton Council, was fined £1,300 and had six points added to his licence when sentenced at Liverpool Magistrates' Courts on Monday.

He was caught in a council operation organised following the epic match on May 7 last year, which saw Liverpool dramatically overcome a three goal deficit to reach tournament's final in Madrid.

The 30 year old, of Ellerman Road in L8, took the fare without a booking, meaning the passenger would not have been insured in the event of an accident.

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The private hire driver was sentenced at Liverpool Magistrates' Courts earlier this week.(Image: Andrew James, South Wales Echo)

He drove the passenger, an undercover officer, in his white Honda to Leo’s Casino on the waterfront – and charged him a fare of £29, double the usual rate.

A council spokesman said the case "sends out a strong message" to drivers plying for hire illegally that they risk being caught.

He said: “Team members regularly patrol the city to ensure taxi and private hire drivers are playing by the rules, and also take part in proactive undercover campaigns.

“We would urge passengers not to be tempted in to flagging down a private hire driver without a booking as they are putting themselves at risk.

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“The safety of the public is at the heart of everything we do and the city has some of the most comprehensive taxi and private hire regulations you can find anywhere. That is why we always advise that passengers should ask for a Liverpool licensed driver when they phone to make a booking.”