A festive Anfield experience: Liverpool vs Leicester City

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If I hadn’t been going to my first game ever at Anfield, I doubt I would have been filled with as much optimism and excitement as I was on Boxing Day. For one, Liverpool had just been exposed by Watford as if they were the newly promoted team and the Hornets were the Premier League stalwarts. This embarrassment meant my Anfield debut would be one of nervous excitement.

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My first view of Anfield was as glorious as I possibly could have imagined. You may not understand that walking across a parking lot in Liverpool and catching a glimpse of the massive new truss atop the stadium in preparation for the stadium expansion was perfection to me. Anfield was peeking from behind trees on what some would call a miserable day and I would prefer to label supreme. As I neared the stadium I soon realised how enormous it actually is and my extraordinary feelings for the club began to evolve into something beyond the powers of any superlative.

The 26^th of December 2015 was my first venture into English Football it was just as I imagined it. The first time I heard the Anfield faithful begin to sing ‘You Never Walk Alone’ I teared up and was provided with the confirmation that Liverpool is indeed the club for me. Many boys start supporting a club because their fathers force it on to them. This is true for me and I couldn’t be more grateful to my father for this. It was an arranged marriage.

When watching a game at home in front of the television statistics seem relevant and pertinent to the way the game is unfolding. Yet, being at the stadium close enough for Philippe Coutinho to hear my desperate calls for attention nothing is more important than what you can immediately see. The fact that Liverpool had 65% possession to Leicester City’s 35% didn’t seem to matter as You Never Walk Alone rang around Liverpool’s fabled homeground once more.

I was seated directly across from the Kop on Anfield Road. Initially I was angry with the ticket office after a mix-up which meant we received tickets to be seated on Anfield Road and not the Kop as planned. As soon as I ascended the stairs into Anfield my petty and frustration faded to awe and wonder. I had arrived in the Promised Land. One look shared between my girlfriend and I meant that she understood the significance of this moment for me.

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The day was perfect aside from yet another seat mix-up as a result of poor handwriting we had sat in row 26 and not in 28. The locals didn’t appreciate my obvious inexperience at being at Anfield. I didn’t give any of this a second thought as after all I was at Anfield. We managed to make it to our correct seats with many apologies to the already seated fans that had to stand for us. We reached our seats just as George Sephton began to call out the Liverpool lineup. I cheered along with the rest of Anfield when each player was announced.

The game kicked off and there was a huge excitement to the atmosphere within Anfield which may be in part due to the festive cheer but it pushed the Liverpool players on and the Reds dominated the first half. I found it very amusing to hear the extremely colourful language used to express frustration and a missed opportunity or even a spilled coffee.

Jurgen Klopp sent Liverpool out early as a sign of intent and it showed as Liverpool continued to dominate Leicester and on 63 minutes pandemonium broke loose within the hallowed halls of Anfield. Roberto Firmino crossed for Benteke and the big Belgian did the rest. Anfield was rocking as Liverpool fans jumped up and down and screamed with delight. There is no doubt in my mind that I strained my vocal chords when the ball landed in the back of the net.

Despite the excitement at being a goal up there was the constant worry that Liverpool would let it slip and concede. Fair enough given how shaky the defence has been at Anfield for years. Such was the worry that when Kasper Schmeichel came up for a last ditch attempt to score for a corner in in the 93^rd minute you felt he actually had a chance to score. Then, when Liverpool broke at speed, there was a visceral change in the stadium as every Liverpool fan turned from anxious to hopeful as Lucas fed Firmino who played Benteke through on goal. Every person in the stadium fully expected Benteke to bang the ball in for his second of the game but his confidence was so low that he managed to waste such a brilliant opportunity.

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When the final whistle blew the whole stadium heaved a sigh of relief – except for the travelling Leicester fans who were due for a solemn trip home. I however, was buzzing after my first trip to Anfield yielded a win! One of the stewards told me, upon learning that I was visiting, I should return as I am good luck.

I am entirely sure that regardless of how often a supporter goes to watch a match the first time is never forgotten and is always held in the highest regard. The irony is that this truly unforgettable experience was paid for and made possible by a Manchester United fan. He was confident that Leicester would thrash Liverpool (to be honest, so was I although I was never going to tell him)! So when Liverpool scored I looked over at him and he was subdued. Obviously very conscious of the thousands of riled up Liverpool fans around him. Just shows you though, not all Manchester United supporters are that bad.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by McCann Photography