Anfield - Liverpool Stadium
Last Update:
September 6, 2024
What is Anfield like?
Anfield is one of the most iconic stadiums in English football. It is famed for its atmosphere, and the Kop End is considered one of the loudest stands in Europe. The stadium has undergone expansion work in recent years to increase its capacity and modernise the ground. The four stands at Anfield are:
Main Stand
The Main Stand is the largest stand at Anfield and runs along the dugout side of the stadium. The stand had previously been just a single-tier stand but in 2016, two more tiers were added to increase the capacity of the stand and the stadium by 8,500 seats. It is now one of the biggest all-seated stands in European football with a capacity of 20,500.
At one time, walking up to Anfield alongside or through Stanley Park, you sometimes struggled to see the stadium behind the tree line. And when you did get a glimpse of the concrete cladding of the exterior of the stands, it didn’t look particularly impressive. However, this has dramatically changed since constructing two additional tiers above the Main Stand.
The expanded Main Stand now towers over the rest of the stadium and even makes the Kop Stand (with a capacity of 13,000) look rather small. The Main Stand looks smart, with single rows of executive boxes between the tiers and the player’s tunnel and team dugouts out front. Its most striking feature, though, is its roof. Mostly made up of transparent panels to allow more light to the pitch, it protrudes out over the stand by quite some distance and is curved to each side of the stand.
Kop end
The famous Kop Terrace at one end of the ground was replaced in 1994 by a huge stand designed to emulate the shape of the old Kop, hence its semi-circular look and large single tier. The single-tier aspect of the Kop helps the atmosphere spread around the stand when Liverpool are attacking it.
The Anfield Road Stand
Opposite the Kop is the Anfield Road Stand, part of which is given to away supporters. It is two-tiered, and like the Main Stand, it has undergone expansion work in recent years. The upper tier has been completely redeveloped to reduce the overhang over the lower tier and to increase the capacity by 7,000 seats. The work has increased Anfield’s capacity to over 60,000.
Kenny Dalglish Stand
On the remaining side of the stadium is the fair-sized, two-tiered Kenny Dalglish Stand, named after the former club player and manager.
This Stand was originally called the Kemlyn Road Stand (and later named the Centenary Stand). Part of it was built in 1963, and an additional tier and row of executive boxes were added in 1992. It has a capacity of just under 12,000.
Notable features
Anfield is a famous old stadium with several standout features uniquely associated with it.
Bill Shankly Statue
Around the outside of Anfield, there is the statue of the great man Bill Shankly, located near the Club shop, as well as the Bob Paisley ‘Gateway’.
Anfield Road gates – YNWA
On the other side of the stadium, on Anfield Road, there are wrought iron gates with the legendary Liverpool phrase ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ displayed above them.
Hillsborough Memorial at Anfield
Behind the Main Stand, there is the moving memorial to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster.
Anfield capacity
Liverpool are one of the biggest football clubs in the world and a such, it won’t be all that surprising to learn that Anfield is among the largest stadiums in England, boasting a capacity of 61,276.
Despite its enormous size, the Liverpool faithful do a remarkable job at creating an intense atmosphere akin to that of a much smaller ground.
Latest Anfield Developments on Anfield Road Stand
The COVID-19 pandemic halted work on expanding the Anfield Road stand, but Liverpool have made good progress since. Then-manager Jurgen Klopp broke ground in September 2021, and the stand is pretty much ready. Fans sat and stood in during the 2023/24 season, but there’s still a little way to go until it’s fully complete.
The top tier of the new stand partially opened in time for the match against Manchester United on 17 December 2023, raising Anfield’s capacity to just over 57,000. The 57,158 fans who came through the doors that day was an Anfield attendance record at the time, but that has since been trumped by the 59,947 fans who were in attendance to watch Liverpool vs Man City in March 2024 as the stand opened up to more supporters.
The end goal of 61,000 supporters isn’t far away, and the club hopes to have it ready before the end of the season.
Anfield ground History
Was Anfield home to Everton?
Yes. Liverpool moved into Anfield Stadium in 1892. Prior to that, the ground had served as a football arena for a full eight years, with Everton its original occupants.
The very reason Liverpool Football Club exists is because of Anfield. The two are inextricably linked. Everton and the stadium’s owner, John Houlding, had several disputes over the ground, with rent a key factor. In response, Everton moved across Stanley Park, and Houlding formed a new team to fill his ground: Liverpool FC.
The club’s first league game there saw an attendance of 5,000 but plans to expand were very much on Liverpool’s minds.
In 1895, the Main Stand was built, which seated 3,000 alone. Eight years later, the Liverpool ground saw the first Kop stand. Things remained as they were for over two decades, but the Kop saw an enormous revamp in 1928; the new stand could accommodate a whopping 30,000 people. The now-mammoth Kop end was a giant of English football, and it remained the latest development all the way through to the sixties when another new stand was built.
History of Anfield redevelopment
Numerous changes have been made to the Anfield stadium, but, to be fair, they have been spread out.
In 1973, the Main Stand was partly rebuilt before seating was widely added in the early eighties. Later that decade, Liverpool made enforced changes to their stadium after the Hillsborough disaster.
Then came the early nineties with the Kemlyn Road stand getting a second tier and VIP boxes, a restaurant and more. The final alterations in the wake of the aforementioned Hillsborough tragedy came a couple of years later as the famous Kop was turned into a fully seated stand; it squeezed the capacity, but you won’t find any Liverpool fans complaining about that. The last notable change to the stadium structure came in 1998 when Anfield Road went two-tiered.
More recently, we’ve seen the Main Stand expansion and Anfield Road expansion detailed above.
Anfield Road expansion
Liverpool have been working on their expansion of the Anfield Road stand for quite some time now, and are extremely close to completing the project with just the finishing touches left to do.
The renovations will see an additional 7,000 seats installed in the stand, 5,200 of which will be general admission, and the other remaining 1,800 will consist of seats with hospitality facilities.
It will also see the relocation of the ‘Family Park’ into a covered section of the ground and the construction of a new hospitality lounge.
The lower tier of the stand will be refurbished, while the upper tier will be rebuilt, to maintain the ground’s atmosphere.
The stadium’s atmosphere has been a key focus throughout the expansion, with Liverpool officials stating that: “Retaining the special atmosphere at Anfield is one of the key design drivers and was instrumental in the current owners deciding to expand the existing Stadium rather than relocate to a new stadium in Stanley Park.”
Does Anfield have a roof?
Yes, Anfield does have a roof and has done so for the vast majority of its lifespan. It was removed and replaced during the Anfield Road expansion project, but now, the roof is back to stay.
Away fan guide to Anfield
Where is the away section at Anfield?
Away fans at Anfield are situated in the lower tier of the Anfield Road end. The allocation for this section is typically around 3,000.
Best pubs near Anfield for away fans
Just across from the away fans’ turnstiles is a small fan zone area that also has a bar facility, whilst inside the ground bottles of Carlsberg (500ml) are available.
Most fans, however, will be looking for something a little better in the form of a pub. Walk a few minutes along Anfield Road, and you’ll find the famous Arkles pub, the home to away fans on matchdays. The Arkles also has a handy fish and chip shop located just around the corner from it, called John’s Supper Bar.
Mark Parsons, a visiting Aston Villa fan adds: “We arrived at the Arkles at about 1:15pm and already found it packed out, with fans queuing outside to get in. We asked a very helpful WPC for any other away-friendly pubs and were told to go to the Flat Iron, which was a five-minute walk away. Although the pub was mostly full of Liverpool fans, the bars were mixed and all were very friendly. To find this pub, turn left at the junction where Arkles is (opposite direction to where Anfield is over to your right) onto Anfield Road. Head away from the ground, and the pub is down at the bottom of this road on the right-hand side.”
What is Anfield like for visiting supporters?
What section at Anfield is for away supporters?
Just under 3,000 away fans can be housed in the Anfield Road Stand at one end of the ground, although this allocation can be increased for domestic cup games.
Before the Anfield Road Stand development, there were some restricted view seats at the back of the stand due to the overhang of the upper tier. However, that is no longer a problem due to how the stand has been renovated.
The Anfield Road End is shared with home supporters, most of whom sit in the tier above, which can sometimes cause issues in the form of coins and missiles being thrown down.
Depending on whether Liverpool are a rival of yours or not, getting in early to listen to the rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone should be considered. However, the overall atmosphere is very hit-and-miss these days.
The facilities within the stand are not bad. There is a betting outlet, and the refreshment kiosks sell, amongst other things, potato and Meat Pies, Steak Pies, Cottage Pies, Cheese Slices, Sausage Rolls, and Hot Dogs.
Anfield Directions and Car Parking
Follow the M62 until you reach the end of the motorway (beware of a 50mph speed camera about a 1/4 of a mile from the end of the motorway). Then keep right and take the A5058 Ring Road North, signposted Football Stadia. After three miles, turn left at the traffic lights and go into Utting Avenue (there is a McDonald’s on the corner of this junction). Proceed for one mile and then turn right at the Arkles pub for the ground.
Parking at Anfield Stadium on matchday
The opening of the new Main Stand has increased attendance at Anfield and, with it, the demand for parking spaces. As a result, the fair-sized car park in Stanley Park is now reserved for permit holders only.
However, secure parking is available at nearby Goodison Park, which costs £10. Rob Campion informs us, “I parked at The Dockers Club, home of Liverpool County Premier League side Waterloo Dock on Townsend Lane (A580), at £5. It is then a 15-minute walk to Anfield. I even watched Waterloo Dock vs Old Xaverians before the Liverpool game”.
In addition, an extensive ‘Residents Only Parking Scheme’ is in place in streets around Anfield. This means that in the directions above, the Residents Only Zone starts immediately as you turn left onto Utting Avenue. You can also rent a private driveway near Anfield via YourParkingSpace.co.uk.
Post Code for SAT NAV: L4 0TH.
How to get to Anfield by train and bus
What is the best way to get to Anfield on match day?
Kirkdale Railway Station is the closest to the ground (just under a mile away). However, it may be more advisable to go to Sandhills Railway Station, as this has the benefit of a bus service to the ground. The Soccerbus runs for a couple of hours before and for 50 minutes after a game and drops you within easy walking distance of the ground. The Soccerbus costs Adults (£3.50 return, £2 single) and Children (£1.50 return, £1 single).
Gary Beaumont adds: “The best route for away fans from the city centre if they want to use public transport is the Merseyrail Northern Line to Sandhills, where they alight and catch the special Soccerbuses; trains can be caught from Liverpool Central and Moorfields. If fans are buying their train tickets in Liverpool, ask for a return to Anfield as opposed to Sandhills, even though that’s where you’re getting off. The advantage of doing this is that the train ticket is also valid for the Soccerbus, and the additional fare is £3 return as opposed to the £3.50 return that you’d have to pay on the bus if you only bought your ticket to Sandhills. If fans want to get a taxi from Lime Street, they’re about £8.”
Both Sandhills & Kirkdale stations can be reached by first getting a train from Liverpool Lime Street to Liverpool Central and then changing there.
The main railway station in Liverpool is Liverpool Lime Street, which is just over two miles away from the ground. It is quite a walk (although it is mostly downhill on the way back to the station), so either head for Sandhills or Kirkdale stations or jump in a taxi.
How to get to Anfield by bus from Liverpool Lime Street
Craig Hochkins adds: “You can catch various buses from the bus station which is a seven-minute walk away from the train station and is well signposted.”
Paul Denman a visiting Hull City fan informs: “Although the No 17 Bus took only 15 minutes to reach Anfield from the station, after the game it took almost 50 minutes, as the roads were clogged with fans walking home. However, everyone was friendly. I wore my City shirt with pride, never felt threatened even on the bus and had great conversations with the Liverpool supporters.”
Walking Directions From Kirkdale Station:
When exiting Kirkdale Station, turn right and then cross the railway bridge. You will see a pub opposite called the ‘Melrose Abbey’.
Walk up Westminster Road alongside the pub and continue, passing the Elm Tree pub. Follow the road around the right-hand bend and turn left into Bradewell Street. At the end of Bradwell Street, you will come to the busy County Road (A59). Cross over this road at the traffic lights and then go down the road to the left of the Aldi superstore.
You will reach the A580 Walton Lane at the end of this road. You should see Goodison Park on your left and Stanley Park in front of you. Cross Walton Lane and enter Stanley Park following the footpath through the park (keeping to the right), which will exit into Anfield Road and the away end. Or bear right down Walton Lane and then turn left down the road at the end of Stanley Park for the ground.
Anfield Ticket Prices
Unlike a lot of clubs, Liverpool tickets are priced in a consistent manner across their Premier League campaign – as opposed to varying prices based on different category games like many sides do nowadays. Of course, some tickets are still cheaper than others but that’s purely down to where you sit within the stadium. Premier League ticket prices are detailed below in the form of minimum and maximum price.
- Adult, £9 to £60
- Over 65, £9 to £45
- Young Adult, £9 to £30
- Junior, £9 across the board
European games follow a similar approach to the above, with the only competitions that differ being the domestic cup tournaments. With these games, ticket pricing varies both by stadium and the strength of the opposition, which is defined by the league standings. For example, games against a Championship side will see lower prices than an all-Premier League tie but higher prices than if Liverpool are hosting a League Two team.
Full details can be found on the official club website.
Anfield Stadium Seating Plan and Entrance
Away fans access the stadium via turnstiles N-R at the Anfield Road Stand.
There are 14 accessible entrances to Anfield, with up to 24 wheelchair spaces in the away sector.
Anfield seating plan
All Anfield stadium entrances can be seen on the image below.
History of "This Is Anfield" sign
Liverpool’s “This Is Anfield” sign was first installed by club legend Bill Shankly in 1972, who was acting on the advice of then groundsman Danny Dwyer.
The main reason behind this was an intention to strike fear into opposition players before they walked out onto the pitch – something still spoken about today.
There have been three different versions of the sign installed since 1972, but all have read the same message: “This Is Anfield”.
It is placed above the entrance to the players’ tunnel and live broadcasts of matches often show Liverpool players touching the sign as they enter the pitch, an image which has become iconic over the years.
Anfield Programme And Fanzines
- Official Programme: £4
- The Liverpool Way Fanzine: £2
- Red All Over The Land Fanzine: £2
Liverpool FC Biggest Rivals
Liverpool vs Everton rivalry: Liverpool’s Anfield stadium plays host to some intense rivalries, but their meetings against Everton are particularly special; the grudge match dates back to Liverpool’s formation with what was then the Everton hierarchy having a huge fallout over Anfield. It was once home to Everton, but they opted for Goodison and a new club – Liverpool – was born. The two grounds are extremely close, and the area is full of split households, hence the ‘friendly derby’ tag. It’s not that friendly, though!
Liverpool vs Manchester United rivalry: The Liverpool vs Manchester United derby started back during the industrial revolution, albeit away from football. The reason being that both cities excelled in their own way; Manchester had a booming textile trade whilst Liverpool were cashing in on the fact they were a port city. The creation of the Manchester Ship Canal posed big problems to Liverpool as they lost mammoth volumes of trade and heat developed between the cities.
That’s why the cities have a rivalry, but why isn’t there beef between United and Everton, Liverpool, and Man City? Well, that’s where football comes into things. Liverpool’s Anfield stadium saw big success, as did Old Trafford – it’s been that way for decades. The two clubs have traded blows ever since with Sir Alex Ferguson’s “knocking Liverpool off their ******* perch” speech, which is perhaps the most high-profile statement of hatred.
Liverpool Fan Songs
The song most commonly associated with Liverpool is ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’
Below is a selection of Liverpool fan songs from the 2023/24 campaign.
Tours Of Anfield And Club Museum
Anfield is filled with history and, as such, it is perhaps unsurprising to learn that the club offer a number of different touring options. These range from standard stadium tours and museum visits through to a ‘legend’s Q and A’ with each of these tours running on a regular basis.
Costs vary depending on the sort of tour you wish to take but, to give you an idea of the amount your looking at, we’ve detailed the prices for the stadium, museum and ‘boom room’ tour below:
- Adults £23
- Concession £18
- Under 16 £14
- Under 4 FREE
Other Anfield experiences are also available including an ‘Anfield Abseil’, which would make for a unique experience – or gift!
Full details of the tours and other experiences available at the Liverpool stadium are on the official club website.
Anfield Matchday Hospitality Packages
Anfield has some fantastic matchday hospitality options that are perfect for a family day out, business meetings, or just with a couple of friends looking to have a memorable day at the match. There is a range of packages available at various prices, and the facilities are some of the best in the Premier League. The demand for Liverpool tickets is extremely high, so Hospitality tickets sell out very fast. Fans can look at some of the Liverpool FC matchday hospitality on the club’s official website and choose which option interests them.
Fans visiting Anfield can enjoy the match from the newly constructed Main Stand and experience matchday hospitality in the Premium Lounge, which includes a four-course meal, complimentary drinks, and an elevated view of the match.
Seats in the 1892 Lounge also allow fans to soak up the club’s history and the story behind the Main Stand. Match seats next to the Directors Box in the Lower Tier of the Main Stand, with a four-course meal included, are available.
Moreover, hospitality in the Kenny Dalglish Stand is equally impressive. It offers supporters a stunning view of the playing surface against the backdrop of the impressive new Main Stand, allowing fans to see the stadium in all of its glory.
Disabled facilities at Anfield
For details of disabled facilities and club contact at the ground please visit the relevant page on the Level Playing Field website.
Record and Average Attendance
Record Attendance
61,905 vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
FA Cup 4th Round, February 2nd, 1952.
Modern All-Seated Attendance Record
59,947 vs Man City City
Premier League, 10th March 2024
Average Attendance
- 2022-2023: 53,184 (Premier League)
- 2021-2022: 53,088 (Premier League)
- 2020-2021: N/A (Covid-19)
- 2019-2020: 53,143 (Premier League)
- 2018-2019: 52,983 (Premier League)
- 2017-2018: 53,049 (Premier League)
Map showing the location of Anfield, Railway Stations and Pubs
Anfield Liverpool Feedback
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I’ll update the guide.
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Liverpool v Shrewsbury Town
FA Cup 4th Round
Tuesday 4th February 2020, 7.45pm
Addison Doyle (Shrewsbury Town)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Anfield?
One word: Anfield. The atmosphere, the history and the stature!
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Oh, God. When I set off the satnav said it would take 2 hours, turned out it was 4! With the M62 closed, the satnav went haywire! When I finally got there, I just gave up trying to find somewhere to park and mounted it on a kerb. I didn't get a ticket though 😉
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I arrived half an hour before the match so I just rushed in, did manage to grab a programme (£3.50).
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Anfield?
Oh, wow, one of the best moments of my life so far. Seeing the new Kop was stunning. 8,000 Shrewsbury fans took up the Anfield Road stand, never been in a higher tier of a ground before. Just great.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The Shrewsbury fans made a good noise. I was loving the match until about the 70th minute when it all went wrong… 🙁 on a better note, I managed to grab the last pie (£4)!
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting out of the ground was surprisingly easy even though I left on full time. The traffic out of Liverpool was expectedly bad, but they'd cleared up the M62 by then so 2 and a half hours back, including a stop at McDonalds.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A Great day out… Apart from the match ha.
Liverpool v Shrewsbury Town
FA Cup 4th Round
Tuesday 4th February 2020, 7.45pm
Mark Ball (Shrewsbury Town)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Anfield?
My first time at this iconic ground and Shrewsbury had a chance against the Under 23's put out by Liverpool due to Klopp's holiday.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Very easy. I drove up and stayed overnight. A taxi from Lime Street cost £8.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I had a few beers in Central Liverpool and a great meal in a pub. I didn't meet any fans in town but everyone was very happy and chatty. Liverpool is a great place that I've always enjoyed visiting.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Anfield Stadium?
Superb, big, huge stands. I was sat only 10 rows from the front unfortunately directly behind the goal so that spoiled the view but can't be helped when it's sold out.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Shrewsbury were playing a Liverpool team with an average age of 19 but they never tried to intimidate Liverpool, they let them stroll around and it was abysmal to watch that. We've some big lads who should have said "look here sonny" but they didn't. We had a goal disallowed for offside and Liverpool scored a fluke own goal to win 1-0. The atmosphere was very good, especially from the 8,000 travelling Shrews fans. I had a cottage pie which was mainly potato but very tasty and the service was quick.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Easy. Loads of taxi's located 200yds from the ground. The traffic was heavy but our driver knew a rabbit run and we were back central for £9 in 15 minutes.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I was disappointed with my team and the manager moaned about playing too many games. Utter rubbish. Young kids took the game to us and were the better team albeit we had chances to score. Liverpool have some classy young kids.
Liverpool v Shrewsbury Town
FA Cup 4th Round
Tuesday 4th February 2020, 7.45pm
Chris (Shrewsbury Town)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Anfield?
Following a surprise fightback from Shrewsbury in the original home tie, we earned a replay at Anfield. Albeit against a reserve/ development side due to Jürgen Klopp’s decision to honour the winter break period, something which caused a fuss in the media!
Still, the chance of seeing Shrewsbury in action at Anfield. I’d not been to Anfield for 10 years, having previously visited with friends of mine who are Liverpool members. Since then, of course, the ground has changed considerably so I was keen to have a look.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Easy journey driving from Shropshire to Chester, from there the M53 takes you to the Kingsway tunnel. Leaving the tunnel, there are tourist signs for the football, first left onto the A59. Pretty much takes you to both grounds.
As for parking, I used a parking app and found a private residential parking space in Everton. On a driveway, and about 5 minutes stroll from Anfield. Years ago, street parking was an option but now that’s all changed and permit systems are in operation on local streets. Lots of options to hire private parking nowadays, but be careful as some reviews seem mixed. Seemingly a few chancers out there! Our ‘host’ was spot on and gave advice on the best route to the ground. Everton was also a good area to park up for leaving afterwards.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Arrived early, had a look around the new club shop and new stand. We went to the King Harry pub. It’s nestled in the back streets very close to the ground. Probably more of a home pub, but they were welcoming and had no issue with away colours.
For something to eat, we went to the Golden Dragon Chippery, on Walton Breck Road leading up to the ground. One of those Chinese chippy type places… hasn’t changed much in 10 years, especially as it’s still excellent!
There were lots of food/drink type places at the ground itself but it’s worth supporting these local businesses who have been around for years. Try out Homebaked as well, a bakery/pie shop place behind the Kop. We had a coffee there, it’s a local co-operative.
I've always found Liverpool to be a friendly place, and it was fine to be amongst the home areas. Being the massive club it is, supporters come from far and wide; I ended up chatting to a very knowledgeable and committed Liverpool supporter from the South West… he’d travelled six hours to get to the game and was a fairly regular attendee. It seemed a bit peculiar being the ‘away’ fan, yet my return journey to the ground and back took about half the time than his journey out there. Such is the support base of big clubs, I don’t suppose you see that quite as much for provincial Football League clubs!
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Anfield Stadium?
I would agree with the opinion that Anfield never used to seem all that impressive from the outside as you approached. All that has changed now. The new Main Stand is a fantastic centrepiece. The whole area is in a period of transformation, and I think the club is following the American style ‘fan experience’. Many of the narrow terraced streets surrounding the ground have been demolished, and Anfield as an area looks to be gradually renovated.
There is a nice fan-zone style area by the Kop, everything well organised. Lots of monuments, benches and statues commemorating past figures. The Hillsborough memorial has been thoughtfully incorporated into the new build, along with a surrounding garden. A very fitting tribute.
Our away supporter took most of the Anfield Road End. This end is starting to show it’s age now, and feels pretty small compared to the huge structure alongside it.
The view was decent enough (halfway up the lower tier) but there isn’t a great deal of legroom. Most supporters stood for the match, and I think for anyone over 6ft, sitting down for any lengthy period would be uncomfortable.
Our View Of The Match
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game attracted much media interest due to Jürgen Klopp’s decision to honour his team’s winter break, sending out the ‘kids.’
Now, this young team contains some rather serious players, so it was a tough game. We didn’t really get into the game during the first half, yet kept it at 0-0.
A goal scored by boyhood Liverpool fan Shaun Whalley put us ahead… until the dreaded VAR check! The goal was disallowed due to an offside in the build-up. I had my doubts when it went in, and replays showed it was the right decision, but still a kick on the teeth. Liverpool pressured and eventually forced a mistake, going 1-0 up after an own goal. It was one of those tight games, and Liverpool controlled the game for the last 10 minutes or so.
The Shrewsbury fans created lots of noise and let themselves be known! Anfield certainly had its moments, the crowd seemed quiet for much of the game, but certainly created a roar as the team attacked, and of course, the famous rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ at the start.
We stayed in position for the whole match and didn’t eat in the ground. But there were plenty of food/drink stalls on the concourse though with standard football scran.
I have to comment as to how friendly and professional the stewards were. As with most big games, supporters have to pass security perimeter checks before getting to the turnstile. Everything was performed in good nature, as a supporter, you felt welcomed.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
As can be expected from over 50,000 people leaving at once, it was quite busy! Walton Breck Road was closed to traffic as the bulk of spectators left. There were plenty of queues for the Soccerbus shuttle buses.
It didn’t take long to get away, our spot in Everton as it was a little bit off the beaten track. So the traffic through the back streets wasn’t too bad, and we were out of Liverpool and through the tunnel fairly quickly. I certainly would advise parking a little further from the ground as we did.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I was disappointed with the result… I don’t think you’d ever get a better chance to beat Liverpool in a first-team game. But it is what it is if perhaps we can get some decent league results that would make up for it!
But what a great chance to visit one of the most famous grounds in world football. It’s a place steeped in history, and you can imagine the generations gone by treading the same streets to many a famous match.
The ground has improved considerably in the last 10 years and looks set to improve as time goes on.
Fully worth a day out!
Liverpool v Newcastle United
Premier League
Saturday 14th September 2019, 12:30pm
Matty (Newcastle United)
Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Premier League
Sunday 12th May 2019, 3pm
Lee Davis (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the Anfield ground?
I follow Wolves away everywhere and I've been to Anfield before so I knew it was impressive.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I and my mate drove up from Wolverhampton, up the m6, which was a nice run. As expected when we got to Liverpool we hit a bit of traffic but found a car park in the city centre.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Parked the car and had a wander around a found a bar called the Slug and Lettuce which was cheap enough. Time went by and we then found a taxi and went straight to the ground.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Anfield?
I've been to Anfield before. The away end is okay but watch when buying a ticket, as the back of the stand has a restricted view.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The atmosphere was electric from both sets of fans You could feel a buzz around Anfield. The game kicked off and Liverpool had a lot of possession as expected in the first 15 minutes. Wolves made a few chances and hit the crossbar from a well-worked move. Then Mane put Liverpool 1-0 up.
Wolves were on top for most of the second half but couldn't find the equaliser. Liverpool then made it 2-0 with Mane again scoring.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Managed to jump in a taxi, which cost £6.50 to the City Centre with was good I thought.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
It is always a good day out in Liverpool.
Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League
Sunday 31st March 2019, 4.30pm
Martin McCleary (Neutral)
Liverpool v Leicester City
Premier League
Tuesday 30th January 2019, 8pm
John Hague (Neutral/Leicester City)
Liverpool v Crystal Palace
Premier League
Saturday 19th January 2019, 3pm
Drew (Crystal Palace)
Liverpool v Cardiff City
Premier League
Saturday 27th October 2018, 3pm
David Salter (Cardiff City)
Liverpool v Chelsea
League Cup 3rd Round
Wednesday 26th September 2018, 7.45pm
Alby (Chelsea)
Liverpool v Chelsea
League Cup 3rd Round
Wednesday 26th September 2018, 7.45pm
Steve Allen (Chelsea)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Anfield?
I have just started following Chelsea away again, after years of being unable to and Anfield is a ground that I've always been keen to visit.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I came on an official coach organised by the club. Getting closer to the ground the traffic got worse, this is to be expected though. The coach was able to park a couple of minutes walk away from the ground and in a place very convenient for the away end.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Unfortunately, the traffic was pretty bad all the way from London, so when we arrived I had to head straight to the ground. I didn't really have any interaction with the home fans but everybody seemed in a jovial mood and there was no trouble whatsoever.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Anfield?
As I said earlier, I've always wanted to visit this ground and I wasn't disappointed. It looks amazing. The away end was fine, I was close to the pitch just behind the goal and the view was unobstructed. There wasn't much legroom between the rows but it wasn't overly uncomfortable. The rest of the ground looked great too, the new main stand looked really impressive.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The atmosphere was great, I was struck by how loud it was inside the ground when either set of supporters were cheering. I was a little envious, although we're very passionate at Stamford Bridge, we don't get an atmosphere on that kind of level. The stewards were friendly, they were also very efficient, they searched everybody thoroughly, but were quick about it, so nobody was really held up. It was a little cramped on the concourse but the queues for the refreshments and toilets moved pretty quickly. I bought a hot dog and a coke, pretty bog standard football food, but at £6 for both, it was a lot cheaper than I'm used to paying.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting to the coach was no problem. The Liverpool fans still seemed in good spirits even though they had lost and again there was no trouble. The traffic out of Liverpool was extremely slow, though, funnily enough, it never seems to bother me when we've won.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
If I'm honest, I like Anfield a lot more than I think an away fan should. It's steeped in history and you can tell the fans are extremely passionate about their football. It made for a great atmosphere. Friendly staff, adequate facilities and a good view of the match, definitely one of the better away days (although granted, I haven't been on that many recently). I am looking forward to returning later in the season for the league match.
Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion
Premier League
Saturday 25th August 2018, 5.30pm
Viv Johnson (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Liverpool v Watford
Premier League
Saturday 17th March 2018, 5:30pm
Dave (Watford fan)
Liverpool v Southampton
Premier League
Saturday 18th November 2017, 3pm
Stephen Geddes (Southampton fan)
Liverpool v Southampton
Premier League
Sunday 7th May 2017, 1.30pm
Eric Spreng (Southampton fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Anfield?
I had not been to Anfield for 40 years and that was to watch Scotland playing Wales for a qualifier for the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. Never having seen Southampton play at Anfield I was looking forward to my third away league game of the season after good wins at West Ham and Sunderland.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We left Dunfermline at 7am for the 250 mile drive to Liverpool. After a quick 30 minute stop for breakfast half way down the road we arrived in Liverpool on schedule and parked near to Goodison Park just before 11.30am. (The match was a 1.30pm kick-off.) The sat nav took us straight there without any problem at all.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We made our way to the Arkles pub just across the road from the Anfield Road End of the ground and got there at about 11.45am. It was steadily busy although by no means packed when we arrived, although it soon got busier. The pub was great. Excellent service and good beer! Home fans were extremely friendly and plenty of Saints fans there too. Both sets of fans mingled freely and happily.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Anfield Stadium?
When we walked through Stanley Park when we first arrived and saw the ground to our right, there was no doubt that it is one of the great cathedrals of world football even from the outside. When we went into the ground about 20 minutes before kick-off I did not think anything different. The fact that it was a glorious sunny spring day probably made the place look even better as the sun beat down on the pitch and the front section of the away end. Southampton only had 1,000 tickets so we were stuck a little bit in the corner of the Anfield Road Stand but the view was fine.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Maybe not the greatest game I have ever seen and it ended up a 0-0 draw, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Southampton came with a plan to let Liverpool have the ball until the final third and then close them down and force them wide. Liverpool were unable to unlock the Southampton defence (for the fourth time this season as the Saints fans took great delight in reminding their hosts at full-time!) Fraser Forster superbly saved a penalty from James Milner half way through the second half. I would have to say that every steward and Policeman that we spoke to was friendly, helpful, and welcoming.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
A quick stroll back across Stanley Park, into the car, and up the road. No traffic problems at all and we were on the motorway not much more than half an hour after the end of the game. Back in Dunfermline by 8pm – a quick beer in the pub and then home to watch Match of the Day 2!
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
We thoroughly enjoyed the matchday experience. With Southampton already 'on the beach' and Liverpool with a Champions League place to play for I was not hopeful in advance th at Southampton would get anything out of the game, but Saints produced a very disciplined performance and in my opinion just about deserved a point. Anfield is a very friendly and welcoming ground to go to and I would definitely go again.
Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth
Premier League
Wednesday 5th April 2017, 8pm
Paul Sheppard (AFC Bournemouth fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Anfield?
It was a nice easy trip from my home near Manchester and a trip to Anfield at night is always appealing. I was also keen to see the extended Main Stand as well as the likes of Coutinho up close. I wasn't confident of us getting anything from the game though!
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Not bad if a little slow along the East Lancs Road, especially towards the end. My friend who is from Liverpool originally reminded me where he had recommended I park last season on Cherry Lane and from here it was a 15 minute walk via Anfield Cemetery.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I went to the chippy near the Arkles pub as we had enjoyed it last season. Made the mistake of having curry and chips. What is it about Liverpool? The curry sauce was far too hot like it was from the chippy near Everton's ground a few weeks earlier; chips very nice though. I then went to the Hillsborough Memorial which was a moving experience and I would recommend making the time to do this especially if you haven't been before.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Anfield?
Having been last season I knew what to expect but the extended Main Stand is impressive. It was a good view from the away end: I had purposely held off on buying the first batch of tickets as they were in the corner so I got a decent view from the middle of the three away sections, especially as I also made sure I avoided the dreaded restricted view tickets at the very back of the stand.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
It was an excellent game: we took an early lead through Afobe but found ourselves 2-1 down after goals from Coutinho and Origi. King scored an excellent equaliser near the end and obviously, the away end erupted. Home fans fairly quiet after the always moving rendition of 'You'll never walk alone' before the match began. Stewards were okay but cannot comment on food and drink as I had mine before the match. Toilets fine.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
No problem getting to the car (although walking via Cemetery in the dark a little eerie so late at night!). Given that I had parked 15-20 minute walk away I was surprised how long it took me to get home as the traffic was very slow moving and noticeably slower than last season.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
It was an excellent evening out at Anfield. I thought the £42 or £46 we paid last season (I can't remember which it was) was too expensive but given the £30 cap this season I felt the match was pretty good value for money. Very happy to get a draw at Anfield, especially with such a late and well-taken equaliser. Will try and find a quicker escape route next season though.There are a number of grounds I won't bother going to next season for various reasons but Anfield won't be one of them!
Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers
FA Cup 4th Round
Saturday 28th January 2017, 12:30pm
Harry Oliver (Wolverhampton Wanderers fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Anfield?
Wolves were taking an army of 8,300 fans, to Liverpool so it wasn't one to be missed! I was also looking forward to seeing Anfield, particularly the new, rebuilt Main Stand as well as the Shankly Gates and the Hillsborough Memorial as I hadn't done so before.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Got the train into Liverpool Lime Street and, ideally, wanted to get a taxi to Anfield. However, the queue was massive so we decided to take one of the "Soccerbuses" instead. They depart from just past St George's Hall. The bus took around 15 minutes and dropped us off right outside the ground.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We were fairly late into Liverpool so didn't have time to head to the infamous Arkles pub. Took a quick snap of the Shankly Gates, paid my respects at the Hillsborough Memorial and went into the ground. The home fans were very welcoming.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Anfield?
We were in the upper tier of the Anfield Road End (block 226, row 7) and the view was very decent. The new Main Stand to the right of us looked brilliant and towered over the Kop and Centenary Stands. The upper tier concourse was fairly cramped but was adequate at half time.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Wow. One of the best days I have ever had as a Wolves fan. After singing over You'll Never Walk Alone (which I thought was quite low-key) the game started and after 53 seconds Richard Stearman nodded the ball into the net in front of the Kop sending 8,300 travelling Wolves fans nuts, bodies everywhere. Liverpool dominated possession but just before half time new signing Andreas Weimann rounded the keeper and slotted the ball into the net, cueing more limbs to be thrown around in the away end. Wolves fans sung their hearts out all game and the "famous Anfield atmosphere" never materialised. Stewards were very friendly and shook our hands in the way out congratulating us on our performance and support. Tears of joy at the full time whistle from some Wolves fans.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away from the ground afterwards was a nightmare. We were lucky to find a taxi, and even though it did cost a small fortune, thank god we did. We missed our first train but managed to get the next one thirty minutes later.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
An incredible day. Fantastic atmosphere, incredible result and the Liverpool fans were friendly. I loved Anfield and I would recommend it to anyone!
Liverpool v Plymouth Argyle
FA Cup 3rd Round
Sunday 8th January 2017, 1.30pm
Bryan Davis (Plymouth Argyle fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Anfield?
FA Cup v Liverpool at Anfield, the draw doesn't get much better! It's one of "the" grounds in football, the chance to go and support the Greens here was not to be missed – it could be a while before the chance comes again…..
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Quite an easy trip up a foggy M5 & M6, on to the M62 and on towards Anfield. We parked in Townhouse Lane at Liverpool Mutual Homes North Area Housing Office which cost £7. The guys on the gate were very friendly and were still there when we got back after the match. From here it's about a 15 minute walk to Anfield. The other popular place to park in Townsend Lane is the Dockers Club at a cost of £5.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We got to the ground around 12 noon and had a look all around the outside of the stadium. There were plenty of places to get food but we'd decided to get a pie inside the stadium. There were lots of people about and everyone seemed friendly.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Anfield?
Approaching from Walton Breck Road the Anfield Stadium is not visible until you are very close, then boom – there it is. The new Main Stand is on the opposite side and approaching from that side or across Stanley Park would offer a better view. Argyle had been allocated all of the Anfield Road end (probably more than the 15% we were entitled to) which is a two tier stand. We were on the lower tier and at the back views are somewhat restricted in that you can see the pitch but not much of the other three stands. Ideally you want to be no further back than row 20. The other three stands are very impressive, as you would expect, although I would guess that at the back of the top tiers you'd be along way from the pitch.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game – well not one for the purists. Liverpool fielded their youngest ever starting side and had something like 85% possession in the first 15 minutes. Argyle sat back and defended. And so it continued, although we had a little more of the ball and 0-0 was the score at the half. After the break Argyle were attacking the Anfield Road end and had a few forays forward. Liverpool meanwhile still couldn't find a way past the Green defense even though they put some "big guns" on with about 20 minutes to go. As 90 minutes drew near there was a realisation that we could hold on for a replay. Argyle did have two good chances from Tanner and Jervis but 0-0 it was. Most of the atmosphere came from the 8,600 Argyle fans who were in fine voice for the full 90 +6 minutes, I'm sure the Liverpool fans did make some noise but we couldn't hear it over the singing from our end. All of the stewards I spoke to were great, they seemed to enjoy having us there. Facilities within the ground are good, as you would expect. Pies were good too. The match programme (£3.50) was very good with quite a bit of information about Argyle.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
It took a while to get out as the singing carried on for some time after the final whistle. Once outside it was an easy walk back to the car. We picked up the A580 and M57 on the way out which seemed easier than the Queens Drive route we used on the way in.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A brilliant day out at Anfield. Not a great football game but the atmosphere around the ground before and inside during the match was fantastic. The Liverpool fans I spoke to were great, to get "well done" from them after the match topped it off. Home Park will no doubt be full for the replay – hope we get a result!
Liverpool v Plymouth Argyle
FA Cup 3rd Round
Sunday 8th January 2017, 1.30pm
Jack Cunningham (Plymouth Argyle fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Anfield?
It was my home team playing against one of the biggest teams in England in the FA Cup/ The trip to Anfield was incredible for all fans as it is a brilliant stadium to watch football at.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We struck lucky with parking as we parked near the ground in car park that is normally for Liverpool fans only. But the guy who was manning the car park was very kind and let us park there.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We went to a cafe which was right near the ground on Walton Beck Road called Linda's Cafe. The staff were really friendly in there and were really welcoming. We spoke to a Liverpool fan whilst in there and she was really nice to speak too and said she has visited Plymouth before.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Anfield?
Anfield is an incredible stadium. On the outside of the ground it looked huge and the new stand was very impressive. The away end was brilliant to sit in and it was even better as we took 8,600+ fans to the game. The ground inside was fantastic and brilliant to watch football at. We had already eaten do didn't have any food inside Anfield, but I noticed that they had something called Scouse Pie on sale which sounded intriguing!
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The game ended 0-0, which saw Plymouth earn a replay at Home Park which was fantastic for us. Liverpool had more of the ball in the first half but Argyle came more into it in the second period. Argyle had a brilliant chance to score when Jervis went close. The atmosphere was brilliant at the beginning when the Liverpool fans started singing "You"ll Never Walk Alone" but apart from that the atmosphere was fairly quiet and the Argyle fans seemed to be in louder voice all the way through the game.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
It took us a long time to get out of Liverpool and to get onto the motorway, but I guess this was to be expected with such large away attendance.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
The day out in Liverpool was fantastic. It was brilliant to visit one of the best stadiums in England. The Anfield ground was simply. fab. I can't wait for the replay to be played in my home town at Home Park.
Liverpool v Plymouth Argyle.
FA Cup 3rd Round
Sunday 8th January 2017, 1.30pm
David King (Plymouth Argyle fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Anfield?
When I was a lot younger I remember watching the great Liverpool teams of the 1980's and early 90's and always wanted to visit Anfield. To see them play Argyle was a bonus.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I spent the weekend in Liverpool. Travelling to the ground from the City with several bus options. Arriva operate service 26 which goes from Liverpool One bus station near the docks or there is Stagecoach service 17 which leaves regularly from Queen Square bus station stand 6 near Lime Street railway station. Alternatively there are regular 917 Stagecoach special football buses from St John's Lane opposite the railway station direct to the ground. Buy a day ticket for £4.buses stop outside the ground on Walton Breck Road.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
Pubs were all packed so gave them a miss although Dr Duncan's in St John's Lane in the city centre is worth a visit. Went to the fans area outside the Anfield Road End and had some food and drink which was okay.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Anfield?
I was very impressed with the Anfield stadium. Before the game I queued for a look inside the huge club shop and then toured the ground exterior looking at the Shankly statue, Hillsbrough memorial and Anfield gate.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Got into the ground easily and had a tasty pie and cup of tea. The stewards were friendly and helpful and I had a good view of the match. Not a classic FA Cup match. Argyle "parked the bus" and defended for long periods. This frustrated the young Liverpool side and their fans. Plymouth were a little more adventurous in the second half but we got a deserved and hard fought 0 – 0 draw and a replay at Home Park.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
I left around 15 minutes after the final whistle and there were long queues along Walton Breck Road for the 917 Stagecoach bus back to the City Centre Further up the road was a 501 service operated by "Peoplesbus" and no queues so I paid £2 for a single. Journey time back to the city was 30 – 40 minutes and we were dropped off in Skelhorne Street by Lime Street station.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A really enjoyable day out for all the 8,500 Argyle fans who made the long journey. Not great football on view but a stay in Liverpool and a visit to Anfield is recommended.
Liverpool v Leeds United
Football League Cup Quarter Final
Tuesday 29th November 2016, 7.45pm
Shaun Tully (Leeds United fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Anfield?
It was our first trip back as a club to Anfield for 13 years, and on a personal level my first ever trip to Anfield. Under the cup rules we were allocated 10% of the capacity which meant we were taking 5,200 fans so a great atmosphere was being anticipated
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Not!! We flew into Liverpool Airport from Belfast and then got a taxi to the ground. That was the easy part. Unfortunately the combination of rush hour and the location of Anfield meant it took over an hour to travel nine miles. However the (Evertonian) taxi driver had a good sense of humour so that helped pass the time.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We visited the Arkles pub, which had a lot of both Leeds and Liverpool fans. A large group of Leeds fans were already singing, much to the amusement of the home supporters. Standard selection of beer at reasonable prices. However they don't allow away fans in after the game. (The Flat Iron pub down the road does).
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the Anfield Stadium?
A 52,000 all-seater ground will always look impressive, even if our Evertonian taxi driver kept referring to the new largest stand as their lean to! The view was unobstructed, while the seating pitch was standard. The more vocal home fans are in the Kop Stand behind the opposite goal so there wasn't any close up 'banter' between the home and away fans.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
It was a good game and a close game which could have gone either way before they nicked it with two late goals. The stewards I found friendly using a soft touch to control the large sections of 'very excited' away fans and allowed these people to jump and throw beer around. One commented to me that you must have too much money in Yorkshire if you throw beer instead of drinking it! However my mate had a sausage roll at something like £3.40 which he said was probably the worst he'd ever had, both in quantity and quality
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Nightmare! Its a ground down side streets. Our taxi driver to the game suggested a) we win 5-0 so the home fans go home early or b) we go and have a pint and wait an hour for them to go home. B was good advice but even after the pint it still was a problem. In the end a local gave us a lift back to our hotel as he lived nearby.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Memorable. Although there was over 5,000 away fans and 45,000 home there was no trouble and the fans mingled together outside and in the Flat Iron pub afterwards. Liverpuddlians have a reputation of being some of the friendliest people in the world and after this trip I would drink to that.
Liverpool v Exeter City
Wednesday 20th January 2016, 8pm
FA Cup Third Round Replay
Steve Ellis (Exeter City fan)
Why were you looking forward to going to visiting the Anfield ground?
Anfield was to be another new ground for me as it was for most other Exeter supporters. However some remembered when we played there in 1981 in the League Cup, when Liverpool were European Champions.
How easy was your journey and finding the ground?
The journey to the ground was straight forward, as always I travelled up on the supporters coach. We left Exeter at 11.30am arriving at Anfield at 6pm. The coach dropped us off just on the other side of Stanley Park in Priory Road. It was then only a five minute walk to Anfield.
What did you do before the game, pub, chippy….home fans friendly?
On arrival I picked up my programme for £3.50 and a badge for the fixture, which cost £3. I then paid my respects at the Hillsborough memorial. I had opted to have a pint at the Arkles pub but they were operating a 1 out 1 in policy so instead I went to the fan zone opposite the away turnstiles where there was a good range of food and drink. Pints costing about £3.60. Home fans I met in there seemed friendly and happy to chat.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end and then other sides of Anfield?
On arriving at the ground its size does exceed expectations and I'm sure once the extension to the Main Stand is completed it will look fantastic. Once on the away section it is good as there is nothing to obstruct your view. I was in block 129 so had a limited view from where the upper stand lowers. The rest of the stadium is much the same with no supporting pillars on any other stand.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, refreshments etc.
The game was a not a great match but both teams had their chances, Liverpool taking theirs and going onto win 3-0. The atmosphere was great as most of the noise came from the away supporters, home fans only really singing when they scored and of course when singing you'll never walk alone prior to kick off, with both sets of supporters singing. The stewards were firm but not over the top. Refreshments were averagely priced, at half time I had the scouse pie which was very good and worth the £3.50. The toilets were also clean.
6. Comments on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away afterwards was easy as after leaving the ground it was the short walk back through Stanley Park to where the coaches dropped us off. As you would expect its slow getting out of Liverpool but once on the motorway its straight forward. We got home about 4.30am.
Final score: Liverpool 3-0 Exeter
Attendance: 43,292 with about 6000 travelling Grecians supporters.
Liverpool v West Ham United
Premier League
Saturday 29th August 2015, 3pm
Kick Off Time 3pm
Scott Bowman (West Ham United fan)
Why were you looking forward to visiting Anfield?
I have been to Anfield a number of times and like most West Ham fans it's going with the hope of seeing us break our over half a century hoodoo over Liverpool. Most have come to expect a fruitless journey and our tail between our legs and the continuation of Anfield being the graveyard of many a Hammers team.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Virgin train straight up from London Euston and a cab ride to the ground. Unlike London cabs, you won't feel ripped off and if you're lucky enough to have an Evertonian cabbie, you'll be wished nothing but good luck and to get get stuck into the "red sh*te!"
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
There's a pub right next to the Anfield Road End called the Arkles. It's away friendly and the staff are quick and do their job with a smile. It gets pretty rammed as you edge closer to kick off, so if that's the case and you want some more breathing room, head over to the Flat Iron pub just a 2 minute walk away. Again friendly enough mixing with the locals and local Anfield lager and ale.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
I have been a fair few times so the awe of going to see a European giant has worn off, however it's an impressive ground and iconic as well. I'm very much a partisan West Ham fan and don't particularly care how other English clubs fair in Europe, but it's still nice to say we house a European (fallen) giant of the game (as well an Man United) in England.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Sterile home atmospheres seem to be common place in the Premier League and Anfield's no different. Other than the opening of "You'll Never Walk Alone" it's quiet except for the away end, which because on this occassion it was a very rare victory for us meant total bedlam!
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
I was staying with family in Aintree so the journey back was easy. However previously it's fairly simple to get back to Lime Street and and a comfortable journey back down south.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Anfield is an iconic venue that all English fans should try and visit, much like any ground before they morph or become bowls (bye bye Boleyn :'>( ) Don't be too surprised though, if there's no atmosphere notwithstanding European nights or the visits of Man United and Everton.
Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth
Barclays Premier League
Monday 17th August 2015, 8pm
Adie Brown (Bournemouth fan)
Why were you looking forward to visiting Anfield?
Anfield has long been a 'Bucket List' ground for me, as I see it as one the monuments of world football. I'd made a deal with myself that I'd only go though when Bournemouth got to play there so it's taken a while for all of the ducks to get themselves into the right row – the fact we got to play there in our first away fixture in the Premier League made this an absolute must-go-to game for me when the fixtures were published.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Pretty easy if I'm honest. I'd heard some horror stories about how difficult parking was around Anfield (In reality you don't need to pay one of the local kids a parking fee….) And yeah, there are a lot of parking restrictions in the surrounding streets. As it was I'd made good time on my journey up to Liverpool and the ground was 15 or so minutes from the end of the M62. I ended up finding one of the match day parking areas about 200m on from the Kop Stand on Walton Breck Road (It's on the junction for Burleigh Road South). Fairly standard £10 affair, and close to the ground so perfect. Run by a couple of Everton fans so had a laugh with them as I was paying. Exiting wasn't so easy with volume of traffic, the cars are lined up and boxed in to get as many in as possible so if you're first in….you're definitely last out.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
My one major character flaw is that I cannot bear to be late for anything…I excelled myself on this occasion and arrived four hours before kick off as I thought the traffic on the M1 and M6 would be worse than it was. Wasn't a huge issue though, as I killed the required time I needed to wait for my mates to arrive with the match tickets by wandering around the stadium and taking a visit to the Hillsborough Memorial, Club Shop and Museum which is well worth an hour of your time. Was disappointed to see the Shankley Gates in temporary storage whilst the renovation works are completed, but totally understand why they had been packed away. A couple of other mates arrived earlier in the day and spent some time at the Albert Dock and Cavern Club too which is a shirt taxi ride away. I found the locals to be friendly enough, sat in Stanley park with a bag of chips waiting for everyone else to turn up with no issues.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Anfield?
Driving past the Kop you know exactly where you are. The rest of the ground is fairly non eventful from the outside. However, the metalwork and framework is being constructed and gives a good impression to the size and scale of the new stand.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Don't have the Scouse pie! It tasted like something found in Stanley Park that was eaten and thrown up by a feral cat before being wrapped in pastry. Seriously. Facilities were good, appreciated being able to pay via card at the food kiosk too. I have to say I was a little disappointed by the atmosphere, the teams emerging to "You'll' Never Walk Alone" was cracking with all four sides of the ground singing – but in terms of noise that was it from the home fans. I'd hoped for more at the first home game of the new season. The stadium is impressive and one of the few 'proper' ones left with the emergence of the identikit bowls now favoured by clubs. It definitely has character. The leg room in the away fans stand was extremely cosy but I'd recommend avoiding the back rows or "restricted view" seats as much as possible, if you're under the tier above towards the back of the stand where people in front choose not to sit your view will extend to the top of the crossbar of the goal in front of you. Fortunately we were halfway back and unobstructed – but it's a word of caution I'd take onboard if I were you…
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Took about an hour and a half to get back onto the motorway….but I'd parked right by the ground so be prepared to wait it out if you do the same.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Great, we lost 1-0 and had some dodgy decisions given against us. Lino needs to learn the new interpretation of the offside rule. Let's leave that there though… As a day out – it's up there with the best I've experienced as a fan and one I'd recommend to anyone.
Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth
Barclays Premier League
Monday 17th August 2015, 8pm
Robbie Sargent (Bournemouth fan)
Why were you looking forward to going to visiting Anfield?
This was Bournemouth's first ever premier league away fixture, so my son and I just had to be there. Also, to have this historic event at one of the world's most iconic football stadium's made it all the more exciting. Having studied in Liverpool (and lived in Anfield) I had been to the ground before, but had never seen the Cherries play there.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Being exiled in Milton Keynes, the journey involved the M1, and M6 – not my favourite motorways! Everything was fine until an incident on the M6 around Stoke, but a quick detour off the motorway allayed any fears of being late for a huge game for us Bournemouth fans. We made the mistake of parking in a car park off Utting Avenue (just close to the Priory Road junction). It was £10 to park there and whilst it was marshalled, the exit after the game was chaotic to say the least – and took about 30 minutes.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We visited the Arkles pub on the corner of Utting Avenue and Anfield Road. Very friendly atmosphere, lots of Bournemouth fans in club colours mixing with the Liverpool supporters. This was my local back in my student days, where I used to get a bowl of scouse stew when competing in the pub quiz every week. No sign of the scouse this time, but a reasonable selection of beers and well priced too. My son and I then had some chips from the chippy two doors down from the pub on Anfield Road. Would recommend this – good service, cheap and tasty chips, sausages and pies.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
I'd been to Anfield before so maybe was not as 'wowed' as some of my fellow Bournemouth fans. It is a fantastic stadium, but the views from the away end can be mixed – especially at the back rows of the lower tier where you have a "letterbox effect".
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
I felt we were very unlucky to lose – we had a goal harshly disallowed for a push within the first five minutes and then Liverpool scored a goal that the Premier League later confirmed as being an erroneous decision by the linesman. Atmosphere was very poor from the home fans, although I do understand Bournemouth is hardly a mouthwatering prospect for the locals when they've got Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton to worry about!! Stewards were great – very friendly and helpful.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
As noted above, we chose the wrong car park!
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
It's always disappointing when you lose, especially to some very poor officiating. But, to see Bournemouth play a league fixture at Anfield was a great experience. Liverpool fans were great before and after the game and I am excited about going back next season after we've avoided relegation!
Liverpool v Sunderland
Premier League
Saturday, December 6th, 2014, 3pm
Kyle Hall (Sunderland fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I was really looking forward to this game as it was my first time to Liverpool and this was an important game. Having seen it many times on tv, I was excited to actually see for myself what the Kop End was like and the atmosphere at Anfield. As Liverpool were missing Sturridge I was some what confident, that we could get a result.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I got a train from Sunderland, which took about 3 ½ hours. We got off at Liverpool Lime Street station to look around but wasn’t much there, so we decided to walk to the ground using the maps app on my phone. Looking back this might not have been the best thing to do as we went through some grotty parts of the city. However, on the way we did walk through a nice park which had a really good view of the whole of Liverpool so a good picture point. Ten minutes later we were at Anfield. Overall it took about 25/30 minutes to walk from Lime Street.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
When we got to the stadium I did my normal tradition of getting a programme. It was very busy around the ground even though it was about 1.pm and kick off was still two hours away. We went to the nearby “Arkles” pub which was for away fans and got a pint and watched the rest of the Chelsea vs Newcastle match on the big projector screen they have there.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
After getting a quick look at Evertons ground on the other side of Stanley Park and the Hillsborough Memorial, we went into the ground. The concourse was very cramped and we had to squeeze past a number of supporters to get to the toilets. As it was so busy, we decided against trying to get a drink and went to take up our seats. The view from our seats was not the best but it wasn’t as bad as the people right at the back of the stand.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
When the players came out and Liverpool’s “You’ll never walk alone” song came on I started to get very excited. I could see the Liverpool fans in the Kop, holding scarf’s up but our chants were loud and I couldn’t hear any of the song. When the game kicked off the flags and scarves went down and everyone sat down? Didn’t hear from the Liverpool fans after that. Was a game full of chances for us but we really didn’t take them and the game just ended 0-0 with not much to say about the match due to the stalemate. Good point for us and can’t really be disappointed with it.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
The streets were jam packed with disappointed scousers bemoaning about not having a penalty awarded to them (it looked like a blatant dive to me). Once we got away from the ground and started walking back to the station it was starting to get dark so once again saw the great view of Liverpool.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Good point and some promise from the team shown. Long journey back home but a good memory of the day. Shocked by the awful support of how quiet the Liverpool’s fans were though but would go again.
Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion
Premier League
Saturday, October 4th, 2014, 3pm
Lee Jones (West Brom fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I had been to Liverpool many times over the years but wanted to try sampling a little of the city centre before the game. We therefore decided to go on the train. I was a little worried that our 10.10am arrival may be a little too early but worries were unfounded as other Baggies fans were travelling on our train too. There are also so many excellent pubs in the City that extra time gave us an opportunity to visit more (I can highly recommend the Philharmonic, The Fly in The Loaf and The Shipping Forecast)
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
Lime Street Station is right in the Centre of town and made it easy to find our way around. I might get used to this form of travel as it is so much easier than having to find car parks etc.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
We started with breakfast at a “Greasy Spoon” right next to the station to set us up for the day, which was spot on .We then thoroughly enjoyed our pub tour and chatting to the locals who were all very friendly. All happy to talk football and enjoy friendly banter. We actually found ourselves running a little later than planned as time ran away, so joined a taxi queue to get us to the game in time. The fare from the City to the Ground was only £7 between 4 of us, very reasonable.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
I like Anfield but the away supporters are housed in the aging Anfield Road end where, if you have a restricted view seat, makes seeing the game VERY difficult. The general stadium is very impressive though and if you haven’t been before, is well worth a visit. The Kop though not what it was, is still impressive and has it’s history and there are the staues and the Hillsborough commemoration stones. If you are a football fan it is all striking.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
The atmosphere has not been the same since the Kop became all seater, for obvious and important (especially to the Club) reasons. I remember watching it fill up in the ‘70’s when the gates shut an hour before kick-off and that was impressive and intimidating. The feel is now more of entertainment rather than the passion it had before and I was surprised at how little the Liverpool fans sing. We had been drowned out in the past but not these days. The concourse at the back of the stand is not massive but adequate and the staff wear away team T Shirts and there is a sign welcoming the day’s visitors. All nice touches. The pies looked good though I didn’t have one and stewarding was relaxed and standing was ignored/allowed.
We played well throughout and got a leveller in the second half but dropped off a little and Liverpool went on to win 2-1. A good showing from us though and we went home reasonably happy.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
It is a bit of a route march back into town and we did call into a local to break the journey. Luckily for us, a taxi dropped right next to us and we managed to get back quite quickly after that. I would recommend a taxi/bus back though. Once in the City, we had a couple of hours to kill before our return train so found a couple of pubs and watched the football on the TV. All in all, a great day. Hopefully a journey we will repeat next year.
Liverpool v Arsenal
Premier League
Sunday, February 8th, 2014, 12.45pm
By Jack Richards (Arsenal fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I had never been to Liverpool before so I was looking forward to visiting a new stadium. Other than that it was just another away game to go to.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
It's quite confusing once you get off at Liverpool Central. We tried looking for the bus service but couldn't be bothered in the end and just got a taxi to the ground which cost £8 for two people. It dropped us off outside the Arkles pub and we stayed there for about 20 minutes before walking to the ground.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
We got into the ground with around half an hour to go and the concourse was already filling up and the atmosphere was great, but it was impossible to get food because everyone was standing in the way.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
We had separate tickets but decided to try and stand together with some people we know, that came around 10 minutes before kick off. It was a bit cramped but the stewards were fine with it, unlike at other grounds. It's a fairly big stadium in real life, considering it only holds 45,000. The Kop looked brilliant and it stands out massively, even though it's the same height as the other stands. The stand to our right looked pretty old and had poles supporting the roof. I obviously didn't see much of the away end with me being in it, but I can confirm that having been to see what the view was like from the back row, it is atrocious. I don't know how anyone could stand there all game without moving.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
We were in good voice up until the 3rd goal went in. After that, no one seemed to be up for singing. It was annoying seeing people walk out after only 70 odd minutes. People actually decided to support the team and it was non stop singing until full time. As I said before, the stewards were fine with everything and there was no problems at all.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
As soon as the game finished we walked out of the ground and waited for a good 15 minutes before getting a taxi back to the station. We parted with the others and got the train back to Birmingham, arriving home in good time. It was a pretty good day out considering the result. Bring on March!
Liverpool v West Ham United
Premier League
Sunday, April 7th, 2013, 1.30pm
By James Prentice (Doing The 92)
1.Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
Anfield is a ground I had wanted to visit for years but given that tickets are usually difficult to come by I hadn’t had the chance to make the journey. So, after eluding me for so many years, when the chance of a ticket in the away end for Liverpool’s match against West Ham came up, I didn’t have to think twice. I would have liked to have sat in one of the home areas, but just to get to a game there was good enough so I quickly made plans to get over to Liverpool for the lunchtime kick off. The Reds, for a number of reasons, are not my favourite club, but I decided to put any preconceptions to one side and enjoy the day out.
2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I left Lincoln early doors and drove to Liverpool, using the Woodhead Pass (which offers some great scenery) before joining up with the M60 and the M62. After leaving the motorway I drove for just under three miles before finding somewhere to leave my car. On the advice of an exiled Scouser I work with, I parked just off Queen’s Drive, to the north of Anfield. The streets south of this all have ‘residents only’ parking restrictions so I would recommend that fans leave their cars here. From this area I only had a short 15 minute walk to the vicinity of the stadium.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
Being a football grounds enthusiast, and having arrived in plenty of time, I first went for a walk around Goodison Park, home of Everton FC. This was a real trip down memory lane – I first visited this ground in 1997 and then again in 1998 but haven’t returned since. I would like to go back again, however, as it is a really lovely old ground that has a nice mix of tradition and modernity. After taking a couple of pictures of the exterior I walked through Stanley Park towards Anfield. While I am not a fan of Liverpool, I can appreciate the size of the club and the loyalty of the supporters and enjoyed having a look around such parts as the Paisley Gateway, the Shankly Gates and the Hillsborough Memorial. As the Arkles pub was packed out, I opted for a swift pint in the open area behind the Anfield Road end, which is run by Willow Catering. Most of the home fans seemed to be keeping themselves to themselves, although I often find this is the case at Sunday matches – supporters up and down the country usually seem to be in better spirits on Saturdays.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
I took my seat in the Anfield Road End, becoming an honorary Hammer for the afternoon, having grabbed a Scouse pie from one of the kiosks (it was tasty, if a little dry). The view from my seat – half way up the stand – was good, although in line with reports I have read on this website I am sure that the sightlines are much poorer at the front and at the very back, where the overhang from the upper tier can be a real impediment. The stadium looked just as I had imagined from pictures I had seen beforehand – the Main Stand reminded me of the East Stand at White Hart Lane; the Centenary stand looks extremely smart; and the Kop is simply huge considering it is a single-tiered affair. Overall, Anfield is a good-looking stadium and I can imagine it is a pretty intimidating place for away sides despite not being of the sheer size of a ground like Old Trafford or the Emirates.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc…
The game was, in short, a massive disappointment! I had hoped to see the net bulge a few times, but alas the goalless affair was one of far too many that I have seen over the last couple of seasons. Liverpool never really got going after becoming disheartened against a stubborn West Ham side, while the visitors could have snatched something had they been more clinical with the few good openings they created.
To their credit, the stewards were pretty anonymous and let the West Ham fans – who stood all game – get on with supporting their side. The home fans were pretty quiet throughout – perhaps due to a combination of it being a Sunday lunchtime and a frustrating showing from their team – while the visiting Hammers were in good voice throughout, fashioning a chant comparing Jonjo Shelvey to Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter that was mentioned in the 606 e-newsletter the following day. The pre-match chorus of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ was not sung with the gusto that I’d imagined, and only about one in five Liverpool fans seemed to hold scarves aloft during this anthem, which was a surprise. This led the Hammers to chant, ‘where’s your famous atmosphere?’ Perhaps Reds fans make more of an effort for big/derby matches? The kiosks seemed few and far between and the concourses certainly didn’t seem spacious, although I understand that this will change when the long-awaiting redevelopment of Anfield takes place.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
I had a short journey back to the car and was on the road pretty quickly. There were a few young lads hanging around not far from my car, and when I drove off they told me in cement-thick Scouse that they had ‘minded my car’ and I owed them money! I couldn’t help but be reminded of Glasgow at this point, as the exact same thing happens there. Surprisingly, it didn’t take more than about 15 minutes to get back on to the M62 and before I knew it I was on the outskirts of Manchester and well on my way home.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
While I would have liked to have been able to make a proper day out of it – and for a Saturday match at that – I enjoyed my trip to Anfield. I have always admired the passion that the fans have for the game and have only experienced fanaticism to such a degree in Manchester and Glasgow, and possibly in Newcastle. I would like to go back at some point and hope to make another trip when the stadium has been redeveloped. This is scheduled to commence pretty soon, although I know some Liverpool fans will be sceptical until it happens given the years of false dawns surrounding their relocation to a new ground. Whilst it might be better in some ways for the club to move to a purpose-built, Emirates-style bowl, I can’t help but admire the fact that they’re trying to remain at their spiritual home despite the hurdles they will have to overcome to do this. If only more clubs – like West Ham – were prepared to do this.
Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Premier League
Saturday September 24th 2011, 3pm
By Daniel Boucher (Wolves fan)
1. Why you were looking forward to going to the ground (or not as the case may be):
I was looking forward to go to Anfield as an away supporter for a while and as soon as the fixtures were published in the summer, this fixture was the first to catch my eye. I have always wanted to view the famous Kop from the opposite end and witness the sea of red scarves and hear 'You'll Never Walk Alone' bellow out around Anfield before the start of the game. 2. How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I travelled to Liverpool with the official supporters coach, so we found Anfield pretty easily as the coaches park just round the corner from Anfield Road. As for the journey, we managed it in just under two hours and the stadium is visible from where the coaches are parked, and the away section is about 100 yards away.
3. What you did before the game pub/chippy…. home fans friendly?
As soon as the coaches were parked, we could see that the Arkles Pub was packed with Wolves fans and they was spilling out onto the street. So decided to head towards the Flat Iron Pub which is just down the road from the Arkles heading away from the stadium. The Flat Iron is a rough looking pub from the outside but inside it is brilliant, it was welcoming to Wolves supporters but there was only a handful of Wolves supporters in there. We socialised with the Liverpool fans and stayed in there until about 2pm. We then headed towards the stadium and came across a fantastic chippy that was very cheap, I would massively recommend the chips with curry sauce, which was fantastic. There was no trouble whatsoever outside the stadium and both sets of fans mixed in the streets.
4. What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the ground?
We then got to the away turnstiles and had a quick look at the Hillsborough Memorial which is situated right next to the away section in Anfield Road. Anfield looks dated outside and inside, but this is why its so famous and makes Anfield what it is. The concourse is very small and was not really suitable for the 2000 travelling Wolves fans. When at our seats, the stands are so close and compact which generates a fantastic atmosphere! But the leg room was tight! We was allocated the left side of the bottom tier and there were Liverpool supporters in the upper tier, i witnessed no disruption from Wolves and Liverpool supporters.
5. Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, toilets etc..
The first half saw a dreadful performance from Wolves and we found ourselves 2-0 down going into the break. The atmosphere was great at the start with 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and the Wolves fans were in full voice. But when the game is underway, the Liverpool supporters were silent and the only noise was coming from the Wolves section. At half time I decided to go for a pie and a pint but the concourse was really really packed and it took me 15 minutes to get to the front of the queue to find out they stop serving beer at 4pm (for a 3pm kick off) and hardly had any food left. This angered many Wolves supporters, especially missing Stephen Fletchers goal which he scored just after half time. The stewards were very helpful and there was no trouble between stewards and spectators, the toilets were basic and compact but that is what I would expect for an old, historic stadium like Anfield.
6. Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting from the stadium was fairly easy and we were back on the coach 10 minutes after the final whistle. We got back to Molineux at about 7.30pm.
7. Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my day out at Anfield even though the Wolves lost. I mainly enjoyed mixing with the Liverpool supporters in the Flat Iron Pub before the game and witnessing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' before the start of the match. Was gutted to miss Fletcher's goal because queuing in the concourse but overall a brilliant day out and I will definitely be returning to Anfield again, hopefully with Wolves if we avoid relegation!
Liverpool v Rabotnicki
Europa League 3rd Qualifying Round
Thursday August 5th 2010, 8pm
By James Baxter (Neutral fan)
This was not my first ever visit to Anfield but the last one was in May 1989, just a month or so after the Hillsborough disaster, when I stood in the Kop with a Liverpool supporting friend for a game against QPR. I remember nothing about the game itself, other than that Liverpool earned a routine 2-0 win. The atmosphere, though, was both unforgettable and very difficult to describe. The tragedy was still very recent so there was poignancy and a kind of sad dignity in the air. There were also feelings of friendship and mutual respect, one manifestation of which was the warm applause given to safety announcements over the tannoy.
I’d always wanted to return but living abroad and the fact that most Liverpool games sell out before tickets go on general sale made it difficult. The Rabotnicki game, ‘perhaps the most low key European night in Liverpool’s history’ according to one newspaper report, provided a rare opportunity so my girlfriend, my Dad and I, to all made the trip.
Getting to Anfield from the city centre is not a problem. Several buses drop you right outside the Kop, numbers 17 and 26 seeming to be the most frequent. It’s good to allow plenty of time though as the buses get crowded and often find themselves stuck in traffic. One thing I’d forgotten from 1989 but was reminded of during the journey was how many Liverpool fans take taxis to Anfield. Several cabs, most with four or more people in them, passed us on the way.
One of the best things about a game where a sizeable crowd is expected is the pre-match ‘buzz’ outside the ground, which consists of fans following their rituals; waiting for friends, queuing to pick up tickets, getting fast-food or spilling out of pubs. At Anfield, this is all somehow enhanced. It’s difficult to know how or why but perhaps it’s something to do with the aura the ground holds or its traditional surroundings of street upon street of terraced houses.
The gates, statues and, of course, the Hillsborough Memorial are all impressive. The stands themselves, however, from the outside at least, make little impression. Inside, the ground seems smaller than you might expect. It seems smaller too than grounds with lower capacities, such as Villa Park. Perhaps this is because Liverpool have crammed more seats into less space. Also, of course, unlike at Villa, the corners at Anfield are all filled in.
Our seats were in the upper tier of the Centenary Stand where the views are excellent but the legroom is not. The Kop, as usual, was full but there were empty seats in both the Main Stand and the Anfield Road end. The atmosphere was understandably flat at times but the Kop did give two fine renditions of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. I was disappointed that the first, before the game started, was prompted by the tannoy so it was good to hear the more spontaneous second one late in the game.
As for the game itself, it would have been more interesting if Rabotnicki had been able to cause Liverpool’s second string more problems in the first leg in Macedonia. As it was, Liverpool were 2-0 up going into the Anfield leg so were always going to progress. The main interest for me was in Joe Cole’s debut (his performance was worth the entrance money on its own) and in whether Steven Gerrard would look happy in a more withdrawn midfield role (he did, mostly). A goal from the enigmatic David N’gog and a Gerrard penalty gave Liverpool another 2-0 win. Rabotnicki reminded me of Tony Mowbray’s WBA when they were in the Premier League. Occasionally, they passed the ball sweetly around Liverpool. But they were error-prone in defence and clueless whenever they got near the home team’s penalty area.
Getting back to Liverpool city centre afterwards was an adventure. We found ourselves on a red London double-decker which clearly was not one of the ‘regular’ city buses. In fact, it looked like it had been ‘retired’ from official service years ago. Besides the driver, there was guy on it who kept leaning out and touting for passengers. Part of his pitch was that it was the last bus back to town, that there were no more 17s or 26s. This clearly wasn’t true but no matter ; we got back with no problems.
Anfield was definitely worth a return visit. I’d be up for going again but preferably to see Liverpool up against stiffer opposition than Rabotnicki.