Turn Up, Out-Played, Kop Out (Anfield (Liverpool FC))

Member Name: utero

Product:	Anfield (Liverpool FC)
Date:	24/08/05 (356 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Modest ticket prices, One of those grounds you have to see, Good stewards

Disadvantages: Tight legroom, Atmosphere drowned out

There are certain grounds in the Premier League that any fan should pay a visit to at least once in their football lifetime. Anfield is the legendary home of Liverpool FC; a ground steeped in part glories and home to some of English footballs greatest achievements.

Norwich City hold a place in Liverpool history, they were the last team to play a league game in front of the old kop back in the infancy of the premier league and before all-seater stadiums were in full effect. On that day we managed to come away with three points but how times change. This was the club’s first chance to return to the ground since their promotion back to the top league. Without much luck on the road the odds were against us. It was a cold day and the rain had been hard on the long journey up to Merseyside. Come 4:45pm Norwich had once again put in an a spectacular performance and come away with a 3-0 defeat when it probably should have been more. But now I can say I’ve been to Anfield at least once but was the long trip worth the effort?

When you think of Anfield you think of a big ground with an intimidating atmosphere and incredibly passionate fans. But when you finally make your way to your seats the illusion is shattered. Anfield actually looks nowhere near as big as you think it is once you’re there in the flesh. It’s a tightly packed ground that holds over 40,000 but I was just expecting more. Perhaps it’s because you see Liverpool as a giant of English football and as a result you’d expect to the ground to be as impressive as Old Trafford and St James Park.

But tickets were a reasonable £28, which is pretty average for most premier league grounds. I would have expected Liverpool to be expensive like Chelsea but it’s good to see they have kept things realistic.

As an away supporter I was seated in the lower tier of the Anfield Road stand. The view is actually pretty decent with no obstructions. However the amount of legroom you get leave a lot to be desired. I found that we were all packed in pretty tightly, had we scored then all the Norwich fans may not have been able to move and celebrate! I had a similar experience at Highbury so maybe it’s something to do with getting the maximum possible space from an old stand when the seating was installed.

Liverpool fans are known for their incredible support and passion. I have to be honest and say that there is no finer thing in football than to hear the Kop end singing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. Sadly the crowd experience at this game left a lot to be desired. I don’t know if this is the norm but there didn’t seem to be a lot of noise from the Kop. Maybe it’s because you loose the acoustics when sitting at the opposite end of the ground. I’m sure there was noise at Anfield but we just couldn’t hear it and that was a letdown. As away supporters in the lower tier you also find yourselves underneath a ton of Liverpool fans. I’m sure the majority are there just for the football but some seemed to think it was a good idea to hurl unwarranted abuse at those below. It was all a bit sad; I’m all for football banter as long as it’s not petty.

The ground itself is quite recognisable from a good distance so if driving you should be able to find it easily. I will say that its location is probably not one of the best areas Liverpool has to offer. There are a lot of rundown areas in close proximity but I understand Liverpool is a city of two halves with the other side of the Mersey a bit more upmarket. On the coach towards the ground we were welcomed by having some young scallys throw thing at us! But you shouldn’t feel threatened on the way to the ground, as generally Liverpool supporters are good-natured and just there for the game. There is also a good police presence and people were quite helpful. I was also quite surprised that Everton’s ground is actually closer to Anfield than you realize so it’s no wonder their derbies are fierce encounters.

Amenities wise the ground is on par with most others. There was ample room in the concourses and the entrances are easy to find. Sometimes the gate stewards at grounds can be a bit jaded and high on authority. But I found the ones at Anfield good humoured and polite.

Would I go again? Maybe, the problem with going to Merseyside is that it’s a long journey from East Anglia and you certainly clock up the miles. Like I say, it’s worth going once and I would go again but only if we were guaranteed three points and a clean sheet!

Summary: The home of football before it all went mad and power crazy