Liverpool FC Vs Sevilla

Matchday 66 was the ground we had been eagerly waiting to finally tick off. Despite having attended this ground 44 times before, we had to restart every ground, making this visit even more special. Liverpool is our favorite club, but getting tickets is a nightmare. For the past four years, our paid membership has felt like a waste of money, and after this season, I don’t plan to purchase one again.

We had no choice but to ensure we got tickets for this game. Unfortunately, this meant that Liam and I were seated away from Mum Amanda and Cousin Shanaye, as general sale tickets went live a few days later. However, we managed to book seats in the same stand.

With a 12:30 PM kickoff, it meant another early start, and tiredness was really setting in after football matches the previous two days. The weather forecast was hot, so we made sure the air conditioning was on during our journey up the M6. The journey took about 2 hours, with Liam singing along to keep us entertained. We also saw plenty of other Liverpool fans making the trip.

As we arrived in Liverpool, we found some free parking, about a 25-minute walk to the stadium. Given the glorious weather, this wasn’t an issue. Along the way, we made various stops to admire the murals painted on the sides of buildings. We then headed to the Anfield Road part of the stadium to find a special engraved stone we had purchased years ago as part of the “Anfield Forever” project. After about 5 minutes, Liam was the first to spot it.

After taking several photos, we continued our walk around the stadium and were able to see both team coaches among the thousands already gathering. Once the coaches had passed, we moved on to the Champions Wall outside the club shop, where there is a mosaic featuring a photo of me and Liam. Capturing this moment was a key part of our challenge.

We didn’t visit the club shop due to the horrendously long queues, something I’ve never seen before, so we decided to head into the ground. As we were queuing to enter, Amanda and Shanaye were challenged due to the size of their bags. Liverpool has a strict bag policy—no bigger than A5. Out of the 66 grounds we’ve visited, no other ground has a policy like this. The staff were extremely rude, leading to an embarrassing moment for Shanaye, who was visiting Anfield for the first time. Liam and I were ushered through the turnstiles while Amanda was moved away by another steward. After much debate, the only solution was for Amanda to pay £5 to drop off the bags at a local church. Many fans were unhappy, as this wasn’t a consistent approach, with many larger bags getting through.

Once inside, Liam and I headed to the toilets before finding our seats. Our view was incredible as I had booked the front row. Anfield is known for its tight legroom, but this wasn’t an issue for us. We watched the players warm up, and after about 10 minutes, Amanda called to say she was finally entering the ground, so we headed back up to meet her. She was fuming. We grabbed some food and drinks before going our separate ways.

The atmosphere was electric, with very few seats remaining. Liam was thrilled with our front-row seats, and as the players came out, he was entertained by Mighty Red—the Liverpool mascot—who grabbed his scarf and waved it around on the pitch, much to Liam’s delight.

As always, the rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” sent a shiver down my spine, made even more poignant by the minute’s silence for the three young children recently killed in Southport.

Even for a friendly, the atmosphere was amazing. The crowd sang the new manager’s name a couple of times, though he didn’t acknowledge it, which was a bit disappointing. Liverpool had the best chances of the game, and we saw five brilliant goals, with Liverpool winning 4-1. Luis Diaz grabbed a brace.

Amanda left in the 80th minute to collect her and Shanaye’s bags to avoid the queues at the end. Liam and I met them outside the Cabbage Hall Pub just down the road. As we left the stadium, I couldn’t believe the queue at the club shop.

Our journey home was uneventful, and we arrived just under two hours later. We now have a 48-hour break before Matchday 67 takes us to Northampton Town in the EFL Cup.

Five Facts About Liverpool FC:

1. Historic Achievements: Liverpool FC is one of the most successful football clubs in England, having won 19 English league titles, 6 European Cups (now the UEFA Champions League), and 7 FA Cups. Their European Cup tally is the highest for any English club, with the 2019 victory being the most recent.
2. The Anfield Atmosphere: Anfield, the home of Liverpool FC, is famous for its electrifying atmosphere, especially on European nights. The rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” sung by thousands of fans before each match is iconic and considered one of the most emotional moments in football.
3. Bill Shankly’s Legacy: The legendary Bill Shankly is credited with transforming Liverpool FC into a footballing powerhouse during the 1960s and 1970s. His famous quote, “Liverpool was made for me, and I was made for Liverpool,” reflects his deep connection with the club.
4. The Boot Room: Liverpool’s Boot Room was an iconic part of Anfield where coaches and managers would gather to discuss tactics and strategy. This tradition began under Shankly and continued with his successors, including Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan, both of whom led Liverpool to multiple European Cup victories.
5. Global Fanbase: Liverpool boasts a massive global fanbase, with supporters clubs in nearly every country around the world. The club’s anthem, “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” has become a symbol of solidarity and hope for fans and non-fans alike, transcending football itself.