Is Anfield’s Atmosphere Really Getting Worse?
Anfield has been home to some of the most iconic moments in football history, from the comeback against Barcelona in 2019 to the 1-0 win over Chelsea in 2005. But recently, the atmosphere at Anfield has been a hot topic of debate among supporters. Is it really getting worse?
Gareth Roberts and Paul Cope discussed this on the latest podcast from This Is Anfield and The Late Challenge. They both posed theories as to why the atmosphere at Anfield often sparks such conversation.
The Debate Around Anfield’s Atmosphere
The debate around Anfield’s atmosphere is nothing new. Roberts pointed out that people are quick to blame the club, but they have done a lot to improve the atmosphere, such as introducing safe standing. He suggested that maybe more could be done to get groups of mates together.
Cope added that there is a high level of judgement when it comes to Anfield, and that part of what makes it great is that there are certain rules you live by. He also said that the events on the pitch have an impact on what goes on in the stands, and that it can be difficult to generate a fervent atmosphere in uneventful games.
The Role of Supporters
The tweet that sparked the debate called for action to be taken by supporter groups in order to facilitate improved levels of noise and support around Anfield. Roberts and Cope agreed that this is a difficult task, but Cope cited internal “judgement” as a potential deterrent for people choosing not to be more vocal on the terraces.
He said that part of the reason Anfield is great is that there are certain rules you live by, such as not having banners or singing songs like ‘who are ya’. Roberts echoed these sentiments by saying that certain games will always be more ‘atmosphere games’ than others, such as Man United or derby games.
Conclusion
The subject of Anfield’s atmosphere often causes debate among supporters and has recently emerged again as a discussion point, but is it really getting worse? It appears that the events on the pitch have an impact on what goes on in the stands, and that certain games will always be more ‘atmosphere games’ than others.
The tweet that sparked the debate called for action to be taken by supporter groups in order to facilitate improved levels of noise and support around Anfield. Roberts and Cope agreed that this is a difficult task, but Cope cited internal “judgement” as a potential deterrent for people choosing not to be more vocal on the terraces.
Ultimately, it appears that the atmosphere at Anfield is still one of the most famous stadiums on the planet and has played host to some incredible moments in football history. The debate around Anfield’s atmosphere will continue to rumble on, but it is clear that supporters have an important role to play in creating an electric atmosphere at Anfield.