'Are you crazy' - The Taylor Swift fans who have travelled 4,000 miles to see the popstar play Anfield

How far would you travel to see your favourite musician perform live? Or rather, would you brave the elements - think sideways rain and strong gusts of wind for hours on end - for the world's biggest popstar?

Courtney who lives in Orlando, and has travelled over 4,000 miles to get to Anfield today, certainly would. Today, inside Liverpool Football Club's shop, she and best friend Emily were busy deciding on what merchandise to pick up ahead of Taylor Swift's massive first gig at Anfield.

After three spectacular nights at Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium, the megastar is heading to Liverpool for her next run of shows. She plays Anfield for three consecutive nights on Thursday, June 13, Friday, June 14, and Saturday, June 15.

READ MORE: Taylor Swift Eras Tour at Liverpool Anfield Stadium: Set list, set times and support

The tour's three-and-a-half hour set - which features 45 songs, stunning visuals and glitzy outfits - celebrates Taylor's 20-year career so far. It honours 10 of her studio albums - from her second release Fearless to the recently-unveiled The Tortured Poets Department (TTPD).

Emily, originally from Las Vegas, moved to Huddersfield seven years ago, while her friend Courtney, who she met while working on the Disney College Programme, stayed over in the states. "Taylor Swift is a big part of our story," and while Courtney was coming over, the gig was a big part of it," says Emily.

The friends, who have known each other a decade, around the time the time Taylor's album 1989 came out have been busy creating friendship bracelets ahead of the gig, and have made 45 for the show, swapping and sharing with fellow Swifties around the football stadium.

"This is going to be my fourth show and I'm really excited to see The Tortured Poets Department added to the setlist because I haven't seen that yet," says Courtney. "Taylor has done a really good job at keeping her fans engaged so every show is a little different with the surprise songs."

They think The Lakes - inspired by Lake Windermere could be one of tonight's two surprise songs, along with 'I Can See You' from the 'Speak Now' album. The latter song sees the iconic Liverpool skyline featured in the music video.

Courtney adds: "When people ask me 'are you crazy, why are you going to another show?', I just explain that there's a different element at every show. I went to opening weekend in Glendale Arizona, then night three at Tampa and night one at Pittsburgh and now night one at Liverpool.

"I wouldn't have been here if it weren't for her," she says beaming at her friend Emily. "I wouldn't have travelled internationally. I left very nice weather for this, so I am very cold right now."

Outside the merch store, and taking shelter from that aforementioned sideways rain, school friends Jessica and Rebecca bring a much-needed pop of colour to the drizzly and grey Anfield. They've travelled over 4,500 miles to be here for the first Liverpool show.

Rather than cough up between £3000 for a single tickets for a show in the United States, the pair found tickets for around £700 for the UK show. They'll be seeing her twice at Anfield, seated tonight and in general admission on Saturday.

Having met doing their Masters course in Denver, Colorado, the pair bonded over their love of Taylor Swift. "We were friends and then we decided one day in class that we would come to Liverpool and it's exploded since then," reflects Jessica.

Both have come dressed for the occasion too. Jessica in a Butterfly ensemble inspired by the album Lover and featuring lots of glitter, sequins and butterfly boots. "The coat repels the rain too," she adds. "I can get soaked and it's fine."

Rebecca's meanwhile is a combination of Reputation and Midnights, plus a rainbow in ode to Pride month. "We didn't want to go too similar but we have matching shoes," she adds.

They're loving Taylor's new album too and are looking forward to the revised set for the European tour. "We actually went to the hot springs in Colorado to listen to it and just binged the album - it was the perfect feel for it."

On the welcome to Liverpool, Jessica says 'everybody in the city has been so kind," while Jessica, who is visiting the United Kingdom for the first time, says she's looking forward to see what unfolds. "She's Taylor, so there absolutely will be something of a surprise, and excited to figure out what it is."