Stadium

History of the stadium

Welcome to the home of Liverpool Football Club, Anfield. The stadium is more than just a stadium, it is a symbol of the club’s successful history blended with the passion and the community of the club’s fans. It is also a place where legends are made with Liverpool one of England’s most successful sides.

Anfield’s history pre-dates that of Liverpool’s as the ground was built in 1884, eight years before the Reds were founded. The ground was originally the home of Everton but the Toffees left for Goodison Park in 1892. John Houlding then established Liverpool having owned the land on which Anfield sits.

As Liverpool rose from humble beginnings to attract an attendance of 18,000 for an FA Cup tie with Preston, the Reds began redeveloping Anfield with the addition of a new 3,000-capacity grandstand. Another enclosure soon followed on the Anfield Road side after their first top-flight title in 1900/01.

Redevelopment of Anfield

Liverpool have continually redeveloped Anfield over the years to ensure that their stadium remains one of the best in England. The ground became completely enclosed in 1906 after the Reds’ second top-flight title. While fans soon christened The Kop as supporters flocked to a 20,000-capacity stand.

Further works in 1928 increased the capacity of The Kop to 30,000. While legendary Liverpool coach Bill Shankly oversaw a vast renovation project of Anfield from 1963 to 1973. The club revamped the Kemlyn Road Stand – which is now named the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand – as well as the Main Stand.

Nearly 20 years would pass before Liverpool again redeveloped the Kemlyn Road Stand as the Reds added a second tier. The Merseyside outfit also later added a second tier to the Anfield Road end in 1997. While works now underway to redevelop Anfield again will see the stand’s capacity increase.

Liverpool have moved to rebuild Anfield

Liverpool have moved to rebuild Anfield stand-by-stand in recent years with a new Main Stand built in 2015. The club demolished the previous iteration of the stand and erected a new, three-tier stand in its place. By doing so, Liverpool increased the capacity of Anfield to make their home hold 54,000.

The new Main Stand saw Anfield become one of the largest football grounds in the United Kingdom. Yet Liverpool are continuing to upgrade their home without losing its historic charm as work is done to upgrade the Anfield Road end. The Reds intend to finish the work in time for the 2023/24 season.

Once works on the Anfield Road end are complete, Liverpool will boast a 61,000-capacity stadium as their home. The new stand’s construction will require 3,700 tonnes of steel and also features a 300-tonne roof truss. While a capacity of 61,000 will make Anfield the UK’s eighth-largest football stadium.

How to get to Anfield

Fans can get to Anfield with ease due to the stadium’s location in the heart of Liverpool. It is situated next to Stanley Park, which separates the Reds’ and Everton’s homes. The stadium’s location ensures it is also well served by public transport, with Liverpool Lime Street Station the nearest train station.

Matchday traffic and footfall in the areas around Anfield can also make accessing the stadium by car difficult. The stadium is also located in a residential parking-only area, so public transport is advised.

Liverpool also offer supporters wishing to get to Anfield by bicycle free and secure storage situated in the Stanley Park Car Park. It is a staffed drop-off service a few minutes’ walk away from Anfield.

Stadium tour info

For fans wishing to see Anfield up-close, Liverpool offer a range of stadium tour options. These also offer access to the club’s museum and Boom Room Exhibition, which can be purchased separately.

Liverpool’s stadium tours include the choice of a standard tour, a legends Q&A tour and a matchday tour. These can be purchased online and offer access to the home dressing room, a view from the top level of the Main Stand, a chance to pass the ‘This is Anfield’ sign and to sit in the home dugout.

Fans can currently choose from John Aldridge, Ian Callaghan, Bruce Grobbelaar, Alan Kennedy, Terry McDermott, Steve McMahon, Jan Molby, Phil Neal and Phil Thompson on the legends tour. They will offer personal memories and tales from their time at the club. Either tour type lasts 70-90 minutes.

Matchday tours last around 45 minutes but do not offer access to the home or away dressing rooms. While season ticket holders and official members get a sliding discount on the cost of the tour types.

Address

Anfield: Anfield Rd, Anfield, Liverpool, L4 0TH, United Kingdom