Liverpool FC – Anfield – Stadium Tour

Liverpool FC, Anfield Stadium Tour

Reasons to take a stadium tour of Anfield are;

• You’re a huge Liverpool fan
• One of the oldest stadiums in the world
• One of the biggest football clubs in the world
• Many football legends have played here
• 5 times Champions League winners
• To see the famous Shankly Gates

The Liverpool stadium tour is given by 2 tour guides.  All guides are knowledgeable Liverpool fans so should be able to answer any of your questions.

Location

Anfield is located close to Stanley Park in the suburbs of Liverpool.  It’s easy to reach by local bus from the city center.  A more majestic way to reach the stadium would be by the Anfield bus which leaves from Albert Dock.  The Anfield bus is a traditional English double decker bus.  I stayed at the Staybridge Suites which are located next to the Albert Dock so it was easy for me to catch the Anfield bus.

Liverpool FC History

As you take the escalators to the top of the main stand you’ll pass Liverpool memorabilia.  The ‘Joey at the frogs legs’ banner was used in 1977 European cup final.  ‘Joey ate the frogs legs’ signifies beating Saint-Etienne of France in the quarter final.  ‘Made the Swiss roll’ signifies beating FC Zurich of Switzerland in the semi-final.  ‘Now he’s munching gladbach’ signifies them playing Borussia Mönchengladbach in the final.  Joey refers to Joey Jones who was a player in 1977.  The banner was used in the 1977 champions league final which Liverpool won.

A Stadium with a View

The first stop on the Anfield tour is the top tier of the Main Stand.  From the top tier you not only get an amazing perspective of the stadium but you also get a city view.  Anfield is built in one of the highest areas of Liverpool.  To the right you can see the city skyline and many of the cities famous landmarks.  Liverpool has 2 cathedrals which are both visible from the stand.  Did you know the largest cathedral in Britain is located in Liverpool.  You’ll see it from the main stand.

The most famous stand in the stadium is The Kop (above right).  Directly opposite the main stand is the Kenny Dalglish Stand.

The Liverpool rivals, Everton FC

There are 2 football teams located in Liverpool.  The other team is Everton who play in Goodison Park.  From Anfield you can see Goodison Park at the other end of Stanley Park.  It’s possible to take stadium tours here during the football season too.  The guide gave some interesting facts about the Everton rivalry.  Apparently the rivalry is a friendly one.  An interesting fact is that from 1892 to 1896 Liverpool was the team wearing blue and white.

A piece of old Anfield

When the new stand was built it was decided to keep a memorial to the old stand inside.  A few of the wooden seats and bollards have been reconstructed inside.  If you went to watch a match in the old Anfield the cheapest ticket would have been a seat with a bollard obstructing the view.  You are free to take pictures in this piece of the old stadium.

Home Team Dressing Room

The home dressing room were designed by Jurgen Klopp.  He has organised it so the players sit in order according to their shirt number.  This to stop there being groups of French speakers or Spanish speakers in the changing rooms.  The language spoken in the Liverpool changing room must be English.  The idea being that Liverpool are one big team as oppose to groups of smaller teams.

In contrast to the home dressing rooms are the away dressing rooms.  These are basic and the temperature not controlled.  In the away changing rooms it’s either too hot or too cold.  Does this give Liverpool a home advantage?  I believe it does!

Players Tunnel

Bill Shankly is arguably the best manager in football history.  To this day he is the only manager to win the Champions League 3 times with the same team.  He designed the famous ‘This is Anfield’ sign.  You see it as you enter the players tunnel.  In Bill Shankly’s words ‘it is there to remind our lads who they’re playing for, and to remind the opposition who they’re playing against’.  On the stadium tour you can get your picture with the famous sign.  You can also touch the sign as the Liverpool players do when they enter the tunnel.

Hillsborough Memorial

Outside the stadium is the Hillsborough memorial.  This memorial is here to respect the 96 who lost their lives as a result of the Hillsborough disaster of 1989.  Part of the monument is an eternal flame.  Whilst the stadium was being redeveloped the eternal flame remained alight in Liverpool Cathedral.

The pedestrian walkway outside the stadium where the memorial is located is respectfully named Avenue 96.  You will find monuments, plaques, benches and gardens in memory of the many Liverpool greats over the years.

Enjoy your Anfield Stadium Tour

The Anfield stadium tour will take you about 90 minutes and you’ll be accompanied by 2 guides the whole time.  Make sure you ask the guides all the questions you have.  They are really keen to talk about their team as well as their city.  As for your photos of the stadium and selfies, ask the guide for tips.  You’ll have the opportunity to buy a souvenir photo with the European cup at the end of your tour.

I took a standard Stadium Tour but it’s also possible to take legend tours and match day tours.  Legend tours are given by legendary Liverpool players such as John Aldridge.

Enjoy your stadium tour of Anfield, home to Liverpool FC.

If you are staying in Liverpool I recommend the Staybridge Suites.  It’s located next to the Albert Dock.  The classic English red double decker Anfield bus leaves from very close to the hotel.