The Type 42 destroyer, which forms the backbone of the Royal Navy's air defence capability, spent six months in refit to substantially improve her capabilities prior to her arrival in Liverpool on Saturday 8 September 2007.
The upgrade package, which was completed in May of this year, included modifications to the ship's 4.5 inch gun to enable a greater firing range, and enhanced satellite and high frequency communication systems which will allow better interoperability between military allies.
The crew's living accommodation has also been improved with bigger recreation spaces and a new dedicated cardiovascular fitness suite.
HMS Liverpool is the tenth of the class of Type 42 destroyers and the seventh ship to bear the name. She was built by Cammell Laird of Birkenhead and was launched on 25 September 1980 by Lady Strathcona, wife of the then Minister of State for Defence.
During her visit to Liverpool the ship and her 240-strong crew welcomed on board a host of guests including Sea Cadet units from Crewe and Liverpool, the Mayor of Sefton, children from a number of local schools and representatives from the ship's affiliates.
For HMS Liverpool's Commanding Officer, Commander Henry Duffy, this was the last time that the Liverpool born and bred captain would bring his ship home:
"It is always a pleasure to bring HMS Liverpool back to the Mersey," he said. "We receive such a warm welcome and I couldn't have wished for a more suitable end to my time on board than a visit to both my and the ship's home city."
Following her visit to Liverpool the ship will be sailing to her base port of Portsmouth before continuing with a busy programme including visits to Cardiff and Cherbourg.
In addition to their role as an air defence platform the Type 42 destroyers operate independently carrying out patrol and boarding operations, recently enforcing UN embargoes in the Gulf and the Adriatic as well as providing humanitarian assistance in Monserrat and East Timor.
