UK Stadiums: Anfield, Liverpool, England
Anfield in Liverpool, northwest England, is the home ground of Premier League club Liverpool.
Capacity & Stands
The stadium has a capacity of 61,276 all-seater. The main stands at Anfield are the world famous, one-tiered (Spion) Kop, the Anfield Road Stand behind the other goal, the Main Stand and the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand so named in 2017. The naming was in recognition of King Kenny's efforts as a player, manager, and non-executive director, as well as his support for the families of the Hillsborough disaster victims. The "Sir" was added to the stand's signage later, after he received a knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in June 2018.
History
Opened in 1884, the stadium was once the home of Everton FC, who rented the land from local brewer John Orrell, before they left for Goodison across Stanley Park in an argument over that rent. The newly-formed Liverpool FC played their first game at Anfield against Rotherham in 1892.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Anfield expanded quickly. A new main stand designed by prolific Scottish stadium architect Archibald Leitch was built in 1895, and the iconic Spion Kop terrace followed in 1906, shortly after Liverpool's second league title win, named after a hill in South Africa where many soldiers died during the Boer War. It was later expanded and had a roof added in 1928.
By 1928, the Kop had been enlarged and roofed to hold around 30,000 supporters, becoming one of the most famous terraces in world football. Anfield continued to evolve throughout the 20th century, with major renovations in 1957 when floodlights were installed, 1963, 1973, 1982, 1992, and 1994 in preparation for Euro '96.
Anfield hosted four matches at Euro 1996: three group stage games and one quarter-final including Russia vs. Italy, Italy vs. Czechia (Czech Republic), Russia vs, Czechia and the quarter-final between France and the Netherlands, which was decided on penalties.
In the 21st century, Anfield has undergone some significant redevelopment, including the expansion of the Main Stand (completed in 2016) and the Anfield Road Stand (2021-2024), bringing capacity to over 61,000, making it one of England's largest football stadiums.
Liverpool FC
Liverpool (nicknamed 'The Reds') are one of the most famous clubs in English football with 20 first division league titles level with Manchester United. They are the most successful English club in European football with six European Cups (now the Champions League), 3 UEFA Cups (1973, 1976, and 2001), four UEFA Super Cups, and one FIFA Club World Cup. Domestically they have also won 8 FA Cups (the last in 2022) and 10 League Cups (a record).
Famous Liverpool Players
A listing of Liverpool's most famous players must include many of team that dominated English football in the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s. These include record appearance holder Ian Callaghan who made 857 appearances between 1958 and 1978. Ian Rush is the club's record goalscorer, scoring 346 goals in total in two spells at the club between 1980 and 1996 sandwiched between 29 games for Juve in Italy. 1966 World Cup winner Roger Hunt is the club's second all-time leading scorer behind Ian Rush with 285 goals in 492 appearances for Liverpool, and he remains Liverpool's record holder for league goals with 244. Kevin Keegan scored 100 goals in 323 appearances for Liverpool between 1971 and 1977. Big names from the Shankly era between 1959 and 1974 include Ian St John, Ron Yeats, hardman Tommy Smith, Emlyn Hughes, goalkeeper Ray Clemence, and striker John Toshack. Striker Michael Owen scored 118 goals in his time at Anfield from 1996 to 2004 before moving to Real Madrid. Another prolific striker Robbie Fowler aka 'God' scored 183 goals for Liverpool in two spells from 1993-2001 and 2006-2007.
Stars of the Jurgen Klopp era included Egyptian maestro Mohamed Salah, Dutch centreback Virgil van Dijk, and striker Sadio Mané, who formed a legendary attacking trio with Roberto Firmino and Salah. Homegrown talent Trent Alexander-Arnold was a fan favorite before his departure to Real Madrid alongside midfielders Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum and Fabinho. Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker and Scottish fullback Andy Robertson have been at the club since 2018 and 2017 respectively.
Liverpool's Hall of Fame includes such greats as Billy Liddell, who signed with the club as a teenager in 1938 and retired in 1961, having scored 228 goals in 534 appearances, Kenny Dalglish, Steven Gerrard, Ian Rush, John Barnes, Ian Callaghan, and Ray Clemence, alongside other club legends such as defenders Alan Hansen and Jamie Carragher and fiery midfielder Graeme Souness, who all went into TV punditry after retirement.
Managers
Since their foundation, Liverpool have had 22 managers beginning with John McKenna back in 1892. Some noted men to have managed Liverpool since then must include Billy Shankly and Bob Paisley, who both have gates named after them at Anfield with a statue of 'Shanks' also outside the ground.
Joe Fagan, another of the famous 'Boot Room' succeeded Paisley and took the team to another European Cup final, sadly overshadowed by the 1985 Heysel disaster.
Former striker Kenny Dalglish then led the club to the Double in his first season and two further titles before the Hillsborough disaster in 1989 was a large factor in his stepping down. Dalglish was followed by another former Liverpool and Scotland great Graeme Souness, then Roy Evans, before Gérard Houllier took up the position.
Spaniard Rafael Benítez replaced the Frenchman and won an epic European Cup final in Istanbul versus AC Milan in his first season in 2005. Benítez again took Liverpool to a Champions League Final in 2007, but this time A.C. Milan had their revenge winning 2-1 in Athens. Roy Hodgson took over the reins after Benítez's departure following a six-year stint in charge. Hodgson's time at Anfield was a disappointment and he made way for former manager Kenny Dalglish who returned for a second spell which also was underwhelming and Dalglish was sacked a year later.
Brendan Rodgers restored pride during his time at the club and laid the foundations for the successes of German Jürgen Klopp between 2015 and 2024 and the present incumbent, Dutchman Arnie Slot who won the league in his first season. During Klopp's nine years at Anfield The Reds won another European Cup and their first Premier League.
Stadium Facts
The record attendance at Anfield is 61,905, set in 1952, for an FA Cup game between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Anfield is situated south of Stanley Park which separated it from Everton's former stadium at Goodison Park before Everton's move to Bramley-Moore Dock on the waterfront.
The area of terraced houses around Anfield have become a canvas of Liverpool FC murals dedicated to both players and managers.
Celebrity fans of the football club include thespians Daniel Craig of James Bond fame and Millie Bobby Brown.
On a stadium and museum tour visiting Liverpool fans can explore the club's history and access the Press Conference Room, the iconic 'This Is Anfield' sign, the player's tunnel, the managerial dugout and the home dressing room. The LFC Museum has a collection of the club's major trophies together with signed shirts and memorabilia.
Access - Getting There
The nearest major railway station to the ground is Liverpool Lime Street. From here you can take any of the following buses to near the ground: the 917 Express (from Commutation Row), the 17, 26, 68/168, 14, and 19.
Alternatively take a train to Sandhills Station (Merseyrail Northern Line) and then a Soccerbus to Anfield. The Soccerbus operates from two hours before each match and then returns to Sandhills Station with the last departure leaving from Walton Lane approximately 75 minutes after the final whistle.
Address: Anfield Road, Liverpool, L4 0TH
Accessibility
There are accessible toilets within the ground, clearly sign posted. There are also two changing places facilities available: one in the Kop and another in the Main Stand. There is a sensory room in the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand which has a range of specialist equipment.
Nearby Hotels
Some recommended hotels within easy reach of Lime Street Station include the 4-star Hilton Liverpool close to the Liverpool One Bus Station. The Liverpool Radisson Red Hotel is also a 4-star property and offers Wifi, a restaurant, and a 24-hour reception adjacent to the station's main entrance.
Holiday Inn Liverpool City Centre is directly opposite the station as is The Liner, a 3-star property on Lord Nelson Street.
See here for a complete listing of hotel accommodation in Liverpool.
More UK Stadiums
Kirklees Stadium (John Smith's Stadium)
Gallery
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