The English side will face Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 at a venue regarded as one of Europe’s most storied kingdoms of football.
Liverpool remains among the eight qualifiers for the competition, with the clash against Real Madrid scheduled for Tuesday, February 21, 2022. The first leg will unfold at Anfield, while the return leg will take place at the Santiago Bernabéu. With that in mind, this piece invites readers to learn about the home ground where the Reds aim to impose their strength.
CAPACITY AND SPECIFICATIONS
Anfield Stadium, located on Anfield Road in Liverpool, L4 0TH, opened its doors in 1884 and initially hosted Everton until 1892. Financial disagreements over the lease prompted Everton to depart, making room for Liverpool to establish its home there.
The pitch measures 101 by 68 meters (111 by 74 yards), a size that sits comfortably above the FA’s recommended dimensions. The grass is cut twice weekly during the season and four times weekly during breaks.
The stadium comprises four stands: the Kop, the Main Stand, the Centenary Stand and Anfield Road. The record attendance of 61,905 was set in a 1952 FA Cup tie between Liverpool and Wolverhampton Wanderers. After seating was installed for each spectator, capacity was adjusted to 54,074.
Today, Anfield continues to host Liverpool matches and also served as a venue during Euro 1996, hosting group-stage and one quarter-final match.
HISTORY
Opened in 1884, Anfield was initially owned by John Orrell, a brewer who befriended John Houlding, the man who would become Liverpool’s founder. Orrell let Everton rent the stadium, with the first match played on 28 September 1884 between Everton and Earlestown.
Eventually Everton refused to meet lease terms and moved to Goodison Park. Houlding then founded a new team to occupy the venue, which became Liverpool. The club’s first game at Anfield took place on 1 September 1892, a 7-0 victory over Rotherham Town.
In 1957, lighting was installed and the lamps were first used on 30 October that year in a match against Everton, marking the 75th anniversary of the Liverpool County Football Association.
Following the Hillsborough tragedy in 1989, the Taylor Report recommended converting all stadiums to all-seater configurations by May 1994.
OTHER ANFIELD APPLICATIONS
Anfield has hosted numerous international fixtures and was among the venues for Euro 1996, staging four matches—three in the group stage and one in the quarter-finals.
The first international match at Anfield featured England against Ireland in 1889, a 6-1 England win. England also faced Wales here three times, in 1905, 1922 and 1931, triumphing on each occasion.
The most recent international matchup at Anfield was England’s 2–1 victory over Uruguay on 1 March 2006. The ground has hosted five FA Cup semi-finals, the last taking place in 1929.
Over the years, Anfield has hosted numerous events beyond football. During wartime years, boxing bouts were common at the venue, and a unique exhibition match once brought together US Open champion Bill Tilden and Wimbledon champion Fred Perry for a tennis display. In the 1920s, the city marathon finished at Anfield, and in July 1984, the American evangelist Billy Graham spoke to crowds of more than 30,000 per night for a week at the stadium.
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