From Everton’s Ground to Liverpool’s Soul: The Real History of Anfield

Anfield began its life as Everton’s home in 1884, when the club moved from Stanley Park after agreeing a lease with local brewer John Orrell. At first, it was a simple field, but Everton quickly turned it into one of England’s earliest organised football grounds.

During the 1890–91 season, Everton became Football League champions while playing at Anfield. Yet disputes over rent and ownership with the landlord, John Houlding, created tension. When negotiations failed, Everton moved across Stanley Park to Goodison Park, leaving Anfield empty. Houlding responded by creating a new club to occupy the ground. On 30 March 1892, Liverpool Football Club was founded. That decision gave Anfield a new purpose and started a story that would grow into one of football’s most famous rivalries and triumphs.

Anfield and the Modern Game

Anfield’s reputation today extends beyond its stands and pitch. The stadium is renowned for the atmosphere created by its supporters. Football today might be measured in data, statistics, and odds, but Anfield has a way of influencing matches that no chart can capture.

For example, among the top 5 betting apps, Liverpool remains one of the most popular teams in the eyes of bookmakers. Heading into this season, Liverpool are priced at 4/1 to win the Premier League outright, 1/7 to finish in the top four, and 1/33 to finish in the top six.

These odds reflect the strength and consistency of the squad, while also highlighting the competitive nature of the league. Even with such favourable odds for a top-four finish, football is unpredictable, and Anfield has a history of turning expectations on their head, particularly on big European nights.

The numbers, however, only tell part of the story. Anfield itself can turn unlikely results into memorable victories. European nights, in particular, often produce moments where probability seems irrelevant. Take the 2019 Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.

Pre-match odds suggested less than a 10% chance of Liverpool advancing. Yet the team produced one of the most remarkable comebacks in football history, a testament to both skill and the stadium’s energy.

The stadium’s effect can be subtle or dramatic. A late goal, an inspired save, or a tactical adjustment can all seem magnified by the crowd. Liverpool’s players often remark on the difference between playing at Anfield and anywhere else, and visiting teams speak of the pressure even before the first whistle. The odds may suggest one outcome, but the reality inside the stadium often tells a different story.

The Rise of a Fortress

Liverpool’s first league game at Anfield, a 4–0 win over Lincoln City in 1893, hinted at the success to come. Over the following decades, the stadium expanded and improved. The Spion Kop was constructed between 1907 and 1908 to honour soldiers who fought in the Boer War, providing room for tens of thousands of supporters and creating an atmosphere that became legendary.

Today, Anfield holds more than 61,000 people. The stadium has grown, but its sense of intimacy and connection with supporters remains. For those inside, the roar of the Kop still gives Liverpool a unique home advantage. Even small details, like the layout of the stands and the proximity of fans to the pitch, contribute to the atmosphere.

Why Anfield Matters

Anfield is all Liverpool as a city. Surrounding the stadium on matchdays is a sea of supporters. Families supporting the club for generations lined the streets and packed the local pubs, singing passionately and draped in red. Liverpool is the only club that has not abandoned its older grounds for Anfield.

Each renovation has been mindful, keeping the character of the stadium. Liverpool has been the only club not to abandon older grounds and move to newer stadiums. Improvements to the facilities and increasing the stadium’s capacity have only been made to the grounds in the character renovations.

The effects of loyalty and tradition build the character of the stadium. “You’ll Never Walk Alone” rises from the Kop as not a performance, a shared experience. This emotion has inspired the players to powerful performances. Anfield is a place of reflection. Hillsborough memorials and shared history, the club and city. This is the story of a different stadium, shared history, and football. Not results, league tables, or tragedies.

More Than a Stadium

Anfield has witnessed countless historic moments. From Shankly’s reign to the present day, the stadium has hosted unforgettable matches and dramatic victories. Its terraces have absorbed both elation and heartbreak, creating a sense of history that few sporting venues can match.

Visiting Anfield is a ritual for many fans. Standing at the Shankly Gates or in front of the Kop, supporters feel the connection between past and present. The stadium carries the memories and pride of the city itself.

Even visiting fans acknowledge the stadium’s presence. The energy is not manufactured but comes from generations of people who live and breathe football in Liverpool. Each match contributes another chapter to a story that has been unfolding for more than 130 years.

A Legacy Written in Red

Anfield, the heart of Liverpool, is a symbol of continuity and resilience. Originally just a patch of grass, over the years, Anfield has become a piece of footballing history, playing host to countless matches and embracing generations of supporters. What makes Anfield especially valuable is that, despite there being increasing pressure to monetise the sport entirely, the football club has remained true to its tradition of loyalty and community. From the songs, the stadium crowds, and the battle stories, they all represent a friendly hello to both newcomers and old-time fans.