Anfield, home of Liverpool FC and based around a few miles up the road from Liverpool City Centre. Originally the home of Everton FC who now play at Goodison Park after the formation of Liverpool in 1892. 29th December 2019 and it’s the day, me and Broseph had been waiting for! Liverpool Vs Wolves and our first visit to Anfield since 7th October 2012 when we witnessed a 0-0 draw against Stoke but a second time seeing Liverpool this season for me after witnessing their 1-0 win away at Sheffield United. Liverpool top of the league and had only dropped 2 points all season against a Wolves team perfectly capable of causing problems for Liverpool.
Arrival at Anfield and we decided to head to the Sandon pub just down the road for a few pre match jars. This was the bar in which the Liverpool players used to use as a changing room facility in the late 1800s when the club had just been formed. As we were going to leave, our eyes lit up. A man coming round with the Champions League Trophy! £3 for picture with the Champions League Cup! Shut up and take my money!! This would be the second time we had a picture with the famous Trophy after lifting it on the tour of the NouCamp in Barcelona on a family holiday in 2011.
We then decided to go to the Kop bar to watch the rest of the Old Firm Derby! One of Liverpool’s finest and my personal favourite player ever now in charge of Rangers, Steven Gerrard! To the delight of the Liverpool fans, Rangers won and Steven Gerrard was so happy, he headbutted the Sky Sports camera! Now it was time to see the Liverpool team bus arrive! Big queues were already forming hoping to catch a glimpse of the team. A wait which seemed to go on forever but then they came around to a chorus of “ALLEZ ALLEZ ALLEZ!”
£350 to get in Anfield for this one…… With plenty of time until kick off, Arsenal Vs Chelsea now live on Sky Sports! Talk about Super Sunday! Chelsea coming out on top in that one. Time to see our view for the day and watch the players warm up. “YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE!” Sung at the top of my voice and by 50,000 other Liverpool fans around the ground now! What a beautiful song!
Kick Off! A bright start from the home side as the ball came to Trent Alexander-Arnold who whipped the ball in low towards MO SALAH!!! Just over… Nearly the perfect start for the Reds. “We’re Champions of the World! We’re Champions of the World! And now you’re gonna believe us and now you’re gonna believe us and now you’re gonna believe US! We’re Champions of the World!” Ringing around Anfield after Liverpool’s recent FIFA Club World Cup win. The Wolves fans also in fine voice.
Liverpool continued to press and on 42 minutes the ball was with Virgil Van Dijk, long ball in towards Adam Lallana flicked on to SADIO MANE…. IT’S THERE!!!!! But no it’s been disallowed… “IT WAS HIS SHOULDER REF!!!” I shouted. The Referee had disallowed the goal for a hand ball by Adam Lallana to the dismay of the Liverpool fans and me and Broseph. VAR was now in operation and now we played the waiting game. Fans began to get restless including myself, the Referee blew the whistle with the VAR signal and the goal was given!!!! The first time we had celebrated the same goal twice!! Wolves fans not happy “F**k VAR!” They chanted.
Wolves responded well and had the ball deep in the Liverpool half, Jonny picked up the loose ball on the right wing and fired a ball across the middle, poorly dealt with by the Liverpool defence, it’s Neto… it’s 1-1! Limbs in the Wolves end, “F**k VAR!” again from the Wolves fans and then an announcement… “VAR Review” which made me, Broseph and the Liverpool fans laugh but would the goal stand? Alleged Offside in the build up but I didn’t see one personally. Then a text on my phone from my Dad, “He’s Offside” me and Broseph were excited. The Referee blew the whistle with the VAR signal, No Goal!! Me, Broseph and the rest of the Liverpool fans celebrated as if it was 2-0! A booking for the Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo for his protests. It’s not ruining the game when it goes your way is it? The Liverpool fans already chuckling, certainly agreed with me but a definitely wake up call for the Liverpool defence, a poor goal to give away nonetheless.
Second half, a header over the bar from a corner by Gini Wijnaldum was the closest that Liverpool got in the second half to getting a second goal. As the game carried on, the more Wolves grew into the game. A goal kick for Liverpool on 68 minutes, Allisson plays it short to Van Dijk… mistake! Diogo Jota wins the ball back and drives into the box…. SAVE! And a relieved Virgil Van Dijk but Wolves had a corner. Corner whipped in but it came to nothing. Wolves continued to press but would ultimately fail to equalise.
FT: Liverpool 1-0 Wolves
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 9/10 – Both sets of fans were fantastic on the day but Liverpool fans won the atmosphere battle between the fans with every single chant and the flags and banners all on show! The famous atmosphere was there once again! Wasn’t good for our throats…
- The Ground: 10/10 – Simply one of the best in the world!
- Expense: 4/10 – £350 is an absolute rip off! However, me and Broseph did have a fantastic day all around but for that price I’m not going higher than 4.
- Overall Experience: 10/10 – One of the best times me and Joe have had and we’ll always remember it, just hopefully next time it will be cheaper to watch…
33/40