Anfield
Anfield is one of the oldest grounds in England and home of Liverpool FC. It has a capacity of 45,522 seats.
After Anfield opened in 1884 it got initially rented by Everton FC. The first game at the ground ended in Everton beating Earlstown 5-0. After a dispute over the rent Everton moved out in 1891, and one year later Liverpool started renting the ground. Its first game at the ground was a 7-0 win over Rotherham.
In the late 19th and early 20th century new stands were built, among which the famous Spion Kop which was extended in 1928 to hold 30,000 fans. The stadium achieved its highest attendance in 1958 when 61,905 people attended a match between Liverpool and the Wolves.
The stadium was further rebuilt in the 60s and 70s. The stadium didn’t host any matches during the 1966 World Cup though, which were instead played at neighbouring Goodison Park.
In the 1980s a start was made into converting the stadium into an all-seater, and in 1982 the famous Shankly Gates were erected. The last significant changes to the stadium were made in the 90s with the rebuilding of the Centenary Stand and the construction of a second tier on the Anfield Road Stand.
During Euro 1996 the stadium hosted three group matches and the quarter-final between France and the Netherlands (0-0).
Since 2002 Liverpool has been working on plans to move to a new stadium in a bid to increase revenue through increased capacity and more modern facilities. After having been granted permission to start building a 60,000 stadium at nearby Stanley Park, construction got delayed due to funding problems as the credit crisis set in. At the moment no further progress has been made and Liverpool’s new ownership seems to favour a longer stay at Anfield, possibly increasing its capacity.
Getting there
Anfield lies about 2 miles north of Liverpool city centre in the middle of working class area Anfield, next to Stanley Park. Just half a mile away, on the other side of Stanley Park, lies Goodison Park, ground of Liverpool rivals Everton.
Coming from the north, driving the M57 south, exit at junction 4 toward Liverpool/A580. Follow the A580 toward the city for almost 4 miles, and, after having passed Walton Hall Park on your right, turn left onto Queens Drive (A5058). After half a mile turn right at the traffic lights onto Utting Avenue. Continue until you see the ground on your right.
Coming from the south and east, approach the city on the M62 and take the signs for A5058 Queens Drive. Stay on the A5058 for about 3 miles, turning left at the traffic lights at the crossing with Utting Avenue. Continue until you see the stadium on your right.
Using public transport you can take bus 17 from Queens Square bus station, which lies almost opposite Liverpool Lime Street train station in Liverpool’s centre. Alternatively one can take bus 26 or 27 from Paradise street, also in the centre, or bus 917 from St John’s Lane. All buses leave you directly at the ground.
Address: Anfield Road, Liverpool, L4 0TH
Tickets
Tickets for Liverpool FC games can be bought online, by telephone 0843 170 5555 (or +44 (0)151 907 9399 from outside the UK), or at the ticket office at Anfield. LFC Official Members receive priority access to tickets. Liverpool FC also offers more expensive Hospitality packages that tend to be more easily available.
Liverpool divides its opponents into three different categories with different ticket prices. Category A tickets are either £45.00 or £48.00, category B tickets £42.00 or £44.00, and category C tickets £39.00 or £42.00.
Stadium tours
Liverpool FC offers guided stadium tours that include access to the dressing rooms, players’ tunnel, press room, and the Liverpool FC museum. The tour lasts approximately 60 minutes.
Tours run every day of the week multiple times a day, usually starting at 10:00 am with the last tour at 3:00 pm. Bookings by phone +44 (0) 151 260 6677 or online. Walk-ups are allowed but subject to availability and it is advised to book the tour in advance.
The tour costs £15.00, or £6.00 for the museum only.
Relevant Internet links:
Liverpoolfc.tv – Official website of Liverpool FC.
Visitliverpool.com – Liverpool tourist information.
Merseytravel.gov.uk – Public transport travel information for the Merseyside area.
My one and only visit to Anfield and it was a throw back, around outside was a dump and very crammed. However once inside this ground still has the magic of football of old, the Kop is an impressive stand considering how modern stands are, I think they done well to keep it as original as possible. The stand the players come out though was more impressive as it just has that 80s Liverpool greatness about it???