So, being in a mellow, reflective mood, I decided to go into the ground early.
I thought I would sit and read the programme, watch the lads warm up, and perhaps hunt down the legendary Jimmy C (one of the head stewards) for a bit of a natter. I could even get something to eat and drink at McDonalds inside, because happily we were in the Kop.
It was when i was tucking into my big mac that it suddenly struck me! Here I was, VISITING McDONALDS INSIDE THE KOP!
Also, just along the corridor, was a bar, a cafe, and programme and 'golden goal' ticket sellers. Throngs of people lined what was effectively a COMMERCIAL STREET UNDERNEATH THE KOP GRANDSTAND!!
This, when I thought about it, was mind-boggling stuff for someone of my generation.
You see, when I first came to Anfield as a child in the sixties, I remember the Spion Kop as basically a hill, a virtually solid mound of earth and concrete. You marched up the concrete steps that led from the outside, crested the ridge through the portals, and marched down the vast concrete terraces under the massive roof. The Kop was like an enormous aircraft hanger, very basic indeed. But it was the very essence of hallowed ground.
Today, where crowds in excess of 24,000 koppites once stood, are just 12,390 neat little plastic seats.
The whole of the old Kop was bulldozed in 1994, following the Taylor report which, in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster, made all-seater stadiums mandatory at all Premiership grounds.
What we have now is a vast erection of concrete, glass and steel (and plastic seats!), less than 10 years old. Very clean, very practical, with all mod cons. BUT IS IT REALLY STILL THE KOP?
I wonder.
Old timers (like me!)will tell you that the atmosphere and noise of the old Kop won many a game for Liverpool. With 24,000 screaming koppites, the opposition were often terrified before the start. Today, with only half that number (who are supposed to be sitting down!)Anfield is a much less intimidating place for the opposition.
Is it a coincidence that Liverpool have never won the Premiership since the old Kop was demolished? Obviously team factors have to be taken into account, but the fact remains that poor home results have scuppered campaign after campaign since 1994.
Last season was a classic example. We finished second, seven points behind Arsenal with an excellent away record. Anything vaguely resembling the old invincible home form, and we would have swept to the title. But no, we threw probably 14-16 points away with lousy home performances.
In recent years I have noticed that, while the atmosphere remains good for European games (or the big clashes against the mancs and bluenoses), all too often the Kop is embarrassingly quiet. The koppites no longer routinely get behind the team. They no longer regularly inspire the team to victory.
It is for this reason that I am now having second thoughts about the proposed move to a new stadium.
My initial reaction, like most of my generation, was one of outrage and oppostion. How could we possibly move from Anfield?! It was hallowed ground, one of the great stages of world football, a shrine, and all the rest of it.
But do you know? If i am honest, I rather suspect that Anfield really ceased to be on that day in April 1994, when the final whistle blew on the last home game in front of the old Kop. Since then, the stadium has lost it's soul.
So now, I am coming around to the idea that we should build that new stadium after all, and establish a new reputation for noise and intimidation with 70,000 fans or more. After all, if Sunderland can do it with the stadium of light, I'm damn sure we can with 'Shankly Park'!!!
(And the big macs? they tasted the same as they do everywhere!)