LIVERPOOL FC and Anfield made sense to me on Wednesday night.
I didn’t enjoy myself last Saturday against Crystal Palace. I had a whale of a time when Hoffenheim were our midweek visitors.
Of course, there is something extraordinary about Europe, the Champions League, or that bulbous silver trophy what remains in my eyes, the European Cup. But it is not just unfamiliar foes in all-white strips, the strains of Handel’s Zadoc The Priest or the sheen of the jerseys under floodlights that makes it the marketeer’s wet dream. Instead, it is the sheer enthusiasm of the crowd. Some will argue that European football begets a more passionate Anfield throng, but there’s far more to it than that.
Reams and reams have been written, ad nauseam about the fabled atmosphere. But what sets the midweek crowd apart from the weekend swarm is the cackle; a hubbub, the buzz of people talking to each other. Tellingly, a constant rumpus creates a backdrop encouraging supporters to shout and scream, to cast off their inhibitions.
Whether it’s a blast at the referee, a roar of encouragement, or one Kopite — on his way down the stairs prior to half-time — reminding his lager-requesting mate, “There’s no ale, you soft cunt”, there’s no shame in filling the raucous air with invective, support or a joke. You can remain anonymous amid the din and avoid the disapproving craning of necks twisting backwards to put a face to the voice of the crank. It might be worth reminding that the Kop’s reputation was forged on the shouts of oddballs; the terrace a former haven for the non-conformist or brave eccentric.
At the risk of repetition it is the chatter; the rattle of the crowd that is missing from Liverpool’s league games. That is because it is a different crowd. Sure, lots of us attend all the games but when it comes to the cups — and Europe offers the only current prestige in knock-out football — there is a considerable influx of younger, fresher faces. Many of them — like it or not — are vibrant, cocky locals revelling in their very occasional chance to watch the Reds.
These are the lads and lasses who idolise footballers like any cohort but from afar; au fait with every strand of hair on Emre Can’s oil slick of a head via the medium of TV. It is these supporters who talk to each other in groups outside, who take the piss and rib each other inside, who make a huddle at the bar instead of forming orderly line queues. All around me on Wednesday I was surrounded by a boisterous alien crew, as though the ghosts of a lost generation had descended on Anfield. I was invigorated. Like a father kicking a ball round with his son or daughter, my youth was suddenly recaptured.
For the first time in a while, I felt part of something that smacked of community; the sneers of suspicion and unfamiliarity swept away by innocent smiles. I felt sad and happy at the same time.
The players must feel the vibe too. Sadio Mane doesn’t wave his arms like a loon and rouse the Main Stand, indeed the whole ground, like that on a silent Sunday. He’d have looked a tit. I suspect Roberto Firmino wouldn’t think of dropping his kecks amid the quiet, polite acclaim of a winner against Stoke.
Firmino fascinated me the other night. When you’ve seen hundreds of games live you’re always looking for something different. I watched our unique Brazilian alone for 15 first-half minutes. Even the languid way he slopes around the pitch, the soles of his feet barely leaving the floor, to afford himself the disguise of an occasional breather is compelling. In the blink of an eye he switches from someone in slippers lazily patrolling the living room into a gun-toting cowboy alive to every ricochet in town. In the time I scrutinised him, he played two absolute killer passes beyond the ken of mere mortals.
Here's Liverpool's superb 3rd goal for your pleasure: pic.twitter.com/naHoboeCHs
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 23, 2017
After scoring, an adoring Kop belted out his name. “Bobby Firmino, Bobby Firmino”. I like to keep my Latins Latin but even I was obliged to join in with the “adopted Scouser” chant. Part of me was delighted that Roberto stopped short of a salute for the fans in front of the Kop. “Fuck off, you plebs — sing it louder”, he might have chuckled to himself as he traipsed back to half-way.
Only later, when the night’s work was done, would he hang about to show some affection and bow to his audience. He’s a cad is my Roberto; a joker is your Bobby. He loves to play to the crowd.
Emre also seemed inspired while Anfield had a massive gab. Liverpool pierced the conversation with moments of magic. Can’s second is right up there with the great Anfield goals.
Some might argue it’s the best seen on the hallowed turf.
There was something stately about Can on Wednesday, a hitherto unseen German majesty that belongs on a grander stage; a theatre where the actors synergise with a lively gallery. The whole team are performers decorating a stage and in midweek the stage is well and truly set.
So, what is the conclusion to all this? Nothing is going to change overnight. This is not me having a pop at “the wools”, though it would help if everyone attending matches could open their mouths. Rather, it is about what we do to foster community, one in which we talk to each other at the match and pull each others’ leg. Liverpool, Liverpool, Take the piss.
My thoughts are thus. I can’t see us winning the League in front of that crowd. I can see us winning the European Cup with this crowd; the same demographic that drained the blood from the veins of Juve and Chelsea before annexing Istanbul.
For me, it really is this stark.
Does the club see this? Yes, it does; the ticket office floods letterboxes with cup tickets addressed to “L” postcodes. Whether that message filters up to the boardroom is another thing altogether. I’m not sure they get it; when the first step towards a solution understands and wants to tackle the problem.
You can stick your tactics up your arse. Football is all about symbiosis between players and crowds. Even Jurgen Klopp knows this. We’ve got the players but the gang that inspires and motivates not just our footballers — but all of us old bastards still hanging in there — is on the outside looking in. Wednesday was just a flavour of what we’re all missing out on.
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Pics: David Rawcliffe-Propaganda Photo
Loads of lads who have jibbed the league games still go to the European and cup games.
Added to that a younger (local and non-local) demographic and people who go less regularly and you get the buzz back.
My view is that the league crowd are largely bored with going to the game and do it from habit rather than enjoyment.
That, added to the league tourist brigade leads to the deathly hallows on a weekend. Completely at odds with Euro and cup crowd as you brilliantly describe Mike
Could describe what it’s going on better I was thinking this myself and the 2 games pslace and hoffenheim give a great comparison which epitomises the problem. So refreshing to hear anfield rd end singing good array of songs. Shankly said it himself Liverpool fans are arrogant and cocky and that’s what is lacking at league games.
Totally agree with this, first time in ages felt like I was more or less surrounded by like minded Reds. Defo different crowd midweek to weekend.
Great peice that,i hate going game now tbh.I keep going in hope that ‘the old days’ return and I’m once again stood by a gang of hairy arse fellas straight from the building sites that always had a wise guy cracking jokes and young local scally dickheads who provided the energy and passion that infected the arl arsed with an unjection of youth for 90 minutes once a week.I totally agree with your sadness because if my lad wants to go game in 10 years time? He’ll never experience the real atmosphere of anfield and what football was and should be about.
I saw something at Anfield that I have never seen before, 6 mates all sitting next to each other. God knows how they boxed that in the Kop but it made a difference by us, songs were being carried down from the back and these lads were joining in.
This is writing an experience so well Mike. Thanks.
You mention wools as an issue for quieter League games compared to CL ones- yet say the CL night has a younger and travelling crowd. The issue isn’t whether the crowd is predominantly local or travelled. I think it’s about confidence. We are confident on European nights and less so on league nights and league days. Confidence is the issue. Think of this for example:
Man U came in March 2016 for a Europa 1st leg. We sang the bejaysus out of them- so much so, their staring pre-start line up mu team gazed enviously and alarmingly at The Kop, dying before the game began. Now cue to October 2016, and mu play PL game here.
The crowd were quiet, hesitant, nervous. Shouting but not singing. Fractured with the dread of not beating united or even worse, losing to them. The difference?… Confidence.
We own Europe as far as we’re concerned. This is our turf, and Anfield is our cannon. But the PL?… we have to do it. And do it again. And again. And then, only then, will we return to the swinging, ‘come and try if you can coz we don’t give s f**k coz we’re gonna smash you anyway ‘ attitude that we exude on European nights. And it doesn’t need nights- if our euro games were at 12.30 Saturday morning, we’d still scream, roar and sing them into silence and us into victory. It was the main factor behind our advancement to Istanbul and it’ll be again and again- in Europe.
We’ve just gotta bring it back to our league games by winning the bloody thing.
It’s not locals or wools that’s the issue. It’s confidence and arrogance to get us singing and shouting with abandonment. That’s what JK is trying and succeeding to bring back. He knows its effect from Mainz and Dortmund. And from our history too. Let’s feck the cynics and Shout ourselves hoarse next time each and every one of us pass through those hallowed turnstiles.
Walk on Reds! YNWA
Disagree reds up. The nights make a massive difference. I think people’s inhibitions lower as it gets darker, their confidence increases and they’re not arsed what people think. They can have a few pints before the game and ultimately the atmosphere improves. I think through the generations people have changed with most of us more bothered what people think of us to how they will respond to our shouting or starting off a song at the game. This seems less so at night games and that’s why the atmospheres so much better. I think people are making re arsed about getting ripped and it makes it easier to do under the throes of a night game under the floodlights.
Hi Mike, I get what you say about night matches with better atmosphere but disagree it’s the difference. The 2 mu games in March and October were nighttime. One on Thursday, other on Monday night. Two completely different atmospheres. Both matches had local and travelling fans. In one, we were up to show them who’s the European boss, in the PL one, we were subdued and nervous (cause they’re more successful of late). There’s been plenty of nights when the stadium was quiet and fans leaving early- locals as well as travellers. In fact, travelling fans are less likely to leave early as they’ve accommodation, travel etc arranged and prolong their experience.
Yes, self-consciousness is a major issue, especially in these social media days, people can feel intimidated shouting out when others think it’s cool to remain silent, not wear the colours and curse or make cynical comments to those who want to roar on the team. Yet when we’re confident, as in European nights or when facing a major PL oppponent we feel we’ll beat- everyone roars more- even the cynics and begrudgers.
Success in the PL would bring back the cocky arrogance to every game, same as we have on the Euro nights, Peter
From the age of 15 I stood on the Kop with my mates from school. 10 – 20 of us would get the train, then walk up to Anfield. Some of us would decide on the day if we were going the game, we’d pay a fiver to get in. I’m so greatful to have experienced doing this many times, because only a few years later the Kop was rebuilt – all seater.
Back then there were many pockets of young lads – friends – standing, swaying, singing, shouting, screaming, rejoicing – together! Forming a mass body of one!
To state the obvious… this just doesn’t happen today. Sadly. Groups of young lads can’t afford to go regularly, sometimes spontaneously, all arriving early – together.
Just a thought… Imagine if all of the lower half of the Kop was unallocated safe standing. Imagine the atmosphere generated behind the goal – by throngs of predominantly young people. (There could also be a kids pen.)
If paid entry was earlier for that unallocated section, then people would arrive earlier to gain entry. This would also help build the energy levels long before kick off. Surely the right capacity could be allocated to meet demand, & entry numbers monitored safely.
Those that don’t get in could go to a nearby fan park to watch on big screens. Alcohol? £££ to the area.
Maybe this is all a bit far fetched? But one day safe standing will happen. That could make matches more regularly accessible for everyday folk.
Well written. The Reds supporters might be the only ones in England being able to appreciate the CL.
great article and I agree. in recent years season ticket holders in the kop have been loaning their tickets out for PL games. They were all in attendance on Wednesday though…that’s why the heartbeat was back.
Personally I couldn’t give a fk if I offend anyone at the game. People who sit nearby n know it aswell. Some of them sigh, some of them tell me to shut up, and there are those who want us to sit down. never stopped me from doing my bit.
The same fans who loan their tickets are open about it – we don’t have a chance of winning the PL with our squad, whereas everyone has a chance of winning the CL
Compare picture above of us and picture of us some time ago. https://twitter.com/hhooligan/status/301424838898233344
Sky and damn earth. Famous Anfield atmosphere is dying.
Enjoyable piece and food for thought. It’s a whole multitude of components coming together of which you’ve addressed most but it’s as much about the occasion as anything. You hit the nail on the head when you said ‘cackle’. I’ve described it as an ‘electricity’ in the crowd. You can predict the atmosphere at Anfield within 10 minutes of being in the ground. You sense the cackle. People turn up to different games with a different mindset.
The things I like about European nights are all related to perception. I’m not really arsed what West Ham fans think of us anymore. It’s always gonna be tainted with bullshit stereotypes. Leave them to it. I do care what Hoffenheim think though. Had i been there i would have been doing my bit because it’s important to me that when Europeans come to Anfield they get their dream of experiencing something which to them is a shrine of football and atmosphere without the cynicism of the English fans. I’d be embarrassed if they went home laughing about how pathetic we were. I like Liverpool being seen as something special and unique. On the same vein I care what fans around Europe think of Liverpool. In Ibiza this week they’d say to me ‘me Barcelona’ and I say ‘argh ok, me Liverpool’. Difficult to convey my point so I’ll just say Barca are the biggest in the world but in this conversation I feel like I’m the one with something special to boast. I’m always proud in Europe telling people I support Liverpool and for me, there’s a sense that when we play West Ham no one is really watching except Liverpool fans but in European games all of Europe are watching and following the tournament. It’s important to me the team put on a good show for European viewers. So, I turn up for these games nervous and it’s that nervousness is the number 1 prerequisite for a good atmosphere. Another prerequisite is a feeling of pride.
One other thing. In my mind regardless of ‘Liverpool exist to win trophies’ etc etc, I can’t fully change my psych. To me, Europa, League and FA Cup don’t carry that elite status regardless of their histories. Only the CL and league do. The league is more games and mistakes aren’t terminal in the way they can be in Europe. It’s condensed and when in more of an elite group than even the PL each game feels huge and important. It’s difficult to get that feeling in a 38 game league campaign except for certain times of the year. It’s difficult to get up for any game on a Sunday or even a Monday night to an extent but there have been examples City and Spurs a few years ago) where that ‘cackle’ has been there on those days due to the importance of the game.
I suppose I’m kind of saying I turn up in a different mindset at different games and my behaviour is characterised by that mindset. Yes, we all want LFC to win the league but West Ham in October on a Sunday tea time doesn’t make me salivate. A champions league tie on a Wednesday night (in a scenario where we’ve still got as much chance as anyone else) really does.
Brilliant article and so true we need more locals at all the games ynwa
Ya turn up. Ya sing, scream n shout irrespective of everything else. If others are not, it’s the job of the supporter to encourage it. Anything less from anyone, from anywhere, I don’t get. Otherwise stay at home.
My point above was it’s not as easy as people think to manufacture an atmosphere. You see it clearest in the games Klopp has asked for an atmosphere. We do try because we respect Klopp and know it’s the right thing to do. It doesn’t work though. It can’t be sustained unless you have that tension inside of you. The point I was trying to make above is the difference in the ground between electric and flat. You can feel it the minute you enter the stand. We’re all adults. We’re not gonna jump up and down in our seats clapping our hands on a Sunday tea time against Stoke for the chance to go fourth. I wish it were different and actually I can be different and do my bit but it’s still manufactured whereas if you see me on a European night or when Liverpool are in a final then you’d think I was deranged. I just need that sense of pride that Liverpool in finals, in Europe and challenging for the top of the league brings. I need that feeling that everyone in England will be laughing at us if we fuck it up or the knowledge that after a win acquaintances I pass in the supermarket will put their head down rather than address the sense of superiority I feel after everything they’ve said in the build up. It drives me to insane levels of wanting to get behind the team. I think there’s a huge link between pride and atmosphere. Liverpools atmosphere has always been based on pride imo. The problem is, to take 2 extremes as an example, it’s impossible to ‘genuinely’ feel the same pride v Exeter in the league cup as it is against Milan in the European and so I’ll repeat, manufacturing an atmosphere is noble and the right thing to do. It just doesn’t actually work in reality. I refer to the Klopp requests again. You get the odd burst of loud song which is repeated a few mins later with a new song (when someone at the back of the kop remembers what Jurgen asked) but the cackle isn’t there. There’s no electricity. That can only be natural as much as we’d all love to pretend we have the best fans and atmosphere.