With my other half being a huge Anfield fan, it wasn’t difficult to persuade him to spend a weekend in lively Liverpool.

But the city has a lot more to offer than sport, as we recently discovered.

Okay, it does have two Premier League clubs on its doorstep – Liverpool FC and Everton FC – along with Aintree racecourse and 12 local golf courses, which makes it a great destination for sports fans.

There’s so much more, though, and since returning home the pair of us are itching for a return visit.

We decided to travel to the city by train, for a change, to relax and take in the countryside on the way.

We were hosted for the weekend by Novotel and Ibis, whose hotels are in the city centre, close to rail stations and just a short walk from the Liverpool One shopping area.

We could also see the iconic Liver Bird on top of the Royal Liver Building close by and it was mesmerising just to people-watch.

Our first night in the city was spent at Ibis Styles in Dale Street, in the Cavern Quarter.

This may be termed an ‘economy’ hotel because of the price, but it was far from ‘budget’ in its facilities and the warmth of the staff.

This hotel boasts some of the friendliest staff I have ever met. Nothing was too much trouble.

There are quirky twists everywhere. We loved the ’60s-inspired décor and the Beatles lyrics which adorn the walls.

The continental breakfast was included in the price, which was a great perk. And the choice of food was vast.

While there were no meals served in the evenings, the bar was great for a night-cap before bed.

The Cavern is just a five-minute walk away, as is Liverpool One.

On day two, we moved hotels to Novotel Liverpool Centre. Set in the heart of the city, this hotel oozes sophistication. It’s in the best of locations, so, so close to the Liverpool One shopping area, the Liverpool Echo Arena and Albert Dock,

Despite arriving early (because we were heading to Anfield), check-in was a breeze and the staff couldn’t have been more helpful.

The hotel boasts an indoor pool and a fitness centre, and the buzzing Ropewalks bar and kitchen with its interactive jukebox.

After a comfy night’s sleep, we ate a very good breakfast before heading for the train station.

Two nights in Liverpool is just not enough.

Albert Dock was restored in the 1980s and its beautiful old warehouses are the largest collection of Grade I listed buildings in the UK, now hosting visitor attractions, bars and restaurants.

The dock area is not to be missed, especially in the warmer weather.

Of course, Liverpool will forever be famous as the home town of the Beatles, and more than 50 years after The Beatles first performed on its stage, you can visit the Cavern Club in Mathew Street, with its nightly live music.

For fans of the band, there’s also the Beatles Story attraction at Albert Dock and a Magical Mystery Tour bus which will take you to special places like Strawberry Field and Penny Lane.

If culture is your thing, the city has the largest collection of museums and galleries outside London, including the new Museum of Liverpool, dedicated to the history of the city, and Tate Liverpool, home to the National Collection of Modern Art in the north and one of the most visited galleries outside of London.

And you can’t visit Liverpool without a little retail therapy. Liverpudlians love to set trends and shoppers are spoilt for choice between gleaming shopping centres, boutique arcades, bohemian streets and farmers’ markets.

The Liverpool One district in the city centre is vast - home to over 160 high street and designer names. There’s also the exclusive Metquarter, the ultra-fashionable Cavern Walks and Bold Street, which has independent stores selling everything from world foods to funky clothes to records to art.

On the food front, the choice is vast. We didn’t get to try the local speciality Scouse (a stew), instead plumping on our first night for tapas at Salt House, in Hanover Street.

Apparently this restaurant got its name courtesy of the dad of owner Paddy Smith. It seems Mr Smith senior, as a 15-year-old boy, ran messages out of the salt house docks in Liverpool.

The food was scrumptious, the portions generous and the ambience bustling and friendly.

Also, if you get the chance, visit Liverpool’s Chinatown. The Imperial Arch is the largest outside of China, standing 15 metres tall and spanning the width of Nelson Street. It’s one of the most spectacular sites in Liverpool.

Around Chinatown, there is a great selection of Chinese and pan-Asian restaurants and Chinese supermarkets.

Our weekend flew by all too fast. But ’With a Little Help from my Friends’ and a ’Ticket to Ride’, I hope ’We Can Work It Out’ and ’Get Back’ to Liverpool very soon…

It’s all in the detail:

• Novotel Liverpool Centre is at 40 Hanover Street, Liverpool L1 4LN; phone 01517 025100 or visit the website for more information and to book a stay.

• Ibis Styles Liverpool Centre is at 67 Dale Street, Liverpool L2 2HJ; phone: 01512 431720 or visit the website for more information and to book a room.

Until 25 March 2019, there is a winter travel offer. You can get up to 20 per cent off at Novotel and Mercure hotels; and there are rooms from as little as £35 with Ibis. Stays are bookable until 30 March.