Liverpool: A City Built on Football
Watching football in Liverpool is something that attracts millions of visitors annually, and the city is the home of two of the biggest clubs in the country. The city is divided by a deeply ingrained rivalry between the red and blue halves of the city. Liverpool FC are the red half of Merseyside and is the most successful club in England. The blue half of the city is Everton FC, who are a club with a very successful history but are on a current trophy drought of 31 years.
The intense passion for football in this city is unmatched and deeply ingrained in the core fabric of the city. You are either a red or a blue, and there is no other option. Liverpool FC play their home games at Anfield, an iconic stadium that boasts a 61,000 capacity, world famous for its incredible atmosphere, and club anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” which is one of the most powerful and unifying displays of support a football club can have. Liverpool FC are in the pantheon of great football institutions; it is England’s most successful club in Europe, with 6 Champions League titles and the joint record 20 domestic League Titles.
Everton FC played their home games at ‘Goodison Park’. This traditional stadium was one of the last of its kind. Modern times have changed football and the way stadiums are being constructed, moving away from traditional and turning towards modern structures. Goodison Park was a stadium where the fans were close to the pitch and right on top of the players, making it a horrible place to go for opposing teams. As of today, Everton play their home games at the new state-of-the-art ‘Hill Dickinson Stadium’. The newly built dockside stadium is a modern, bowl design that blends into the industrial dockland heritage. The stadium features a 13,000-seat home stand similar to the “Yellow Wall’ of Borussia Dortmund.
- Liverpool FC- https://www.liverpoolfc.com
- Everton FC- https://www.evertonfc.com
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Liverpool isn’t just a city with football clubs — it’s a city shaped by football culture.
Why Liverpool Is One of Europe’s Best Football Cities
Watching football in Liverpool provides visitors with a unique football experience like no other. The intense and passionate football culture within this city will only enhance your love of football. The city is steeped in esteemed history, and its success is woven into British folklore. For years, Merseyside had the rest of English football in a chokehold, dominating entire eras of football. In recent decades, the power of Merseyside has dwindled, with just two league title wins in 36 years between the two clubs. The two clubs are separated by just a few miles; very few cities in Europe can claim two historic clubs within walking distance of one another.
Legendary manager Bill Shankly perfectly summarises how important football is to the Scousers. “Some people think football is a matter of life and death… I can assure them it’s much more serious than that”. Having spent substantial amounts of time within the city, I can assure you this quote from the 80s still stands today.
Liverpool’s reputation is worldwide, not just domestic. Liverpool has one of the planet’s largest fan bases, stretching to every corner of the globe. European nights at Anfield have become part of football folklore. The power of the Kop is etched into every football fan’s mind. Anfield on a European night is in the zenith of football experiences.
Every football supporter around the world is fully aware of the power that Anfield possesses. Anfield is famed for its historic Champions League nights, most notably the 4-0 win over Lionel Messi’s Barcelona team, overturning a 3-0 disadvantage from the previous leg. Anfield can make the impossible a reality. Harnessing the power of this footballing coliseum makes the supporters the best 12th man in the world.
The working-class culture within the city shapes the attitudes and behaviours of the supporters, which contributes to the core values and ideology of the football club. Liverpool, as a city are gritty and willing to fight for what it believes to the bitter end. This translates onto the pitch as Liverpool has the most 90+ minute winners in the league’s long history. The city’s football culture feels raw, loud, passionate and community-driven. The football culture in Liverpool feels authentic rather than manufactured.
Watching football in Liverpool is more than just the match. The support spills out onto the streets across bars and restaurants, greeted by a sea of red upon arrival.
Best Areas to Stay for Match Day
City Centre
When visiting Liverpool, choosing where to stay will have a huge impact on your experience. Staying in the city centre allows you to explore the heart of the city and immerse yourself in Scouse match day culture. The city centre is a great place to be on match day as the city becomes overrun by Liverpool supporters, and the city turns red. Liverpool city centre has a vast number of bars and restaurants for visitors. Irish pubs and sports bars are everywhere and are great to watch football in or go for a pre-match drink to soak up the city’s match day culture.
The city centre is a great hub for various modes of transport to and from the ground. This area facilitates travel across various cities in the UK. Anfield is over an hour’s walk from the centre, so a bus or train can make your journey much simpler. Staying in this area of the city also means that if interested, you can experience the Liverpool nightlife, which is very good.
Near Anfield
Staying near Anfield provides you with the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the match-day culture. Walk around the surrounding areas and visit the murals of Liverpool legends. Local supporter pubs and bars are bustling on game day, and going to one of these is a great way to further your understanding of the Liverpool fan culture. Staying here allows you to embark on an authentic Liverpool FC journey.
The negative to staying here is that after match day, this area of the city will be a lot quieter than the city centre and does not offer much to do in comparison to other areas of Liverpool. This depends on your desired experience.
How to Get to Anfield & Hill Dickinson Stadium
Getting to Anfield
The most popular mode of travel used to get from the Liverpool city centre to Anfield is via bus. The bus is the cheapest, most frequent and easiest way to get to Anfield.
- Matchday Express (917): Departs from Commutation Row (near Lime Street Station) every 10 minutes, going direct to Anfield in roughly 15 minutes.
- Standard Services:
- Route 26: Departs from Liverpool ONE Bus Station.
- Route 17: Departs from Queen Square Bus Station.
- Route 14 & 19: Depart from Queen Square and stop a short walk from the ground.
Another common method used to reach the stadium is by taxi/Uber. The journey from Liverpool Lime Street takes around 20 minutes and costs around £8-£15. On a match day, lots of people travel this way, so if you can share a taxi with others, this is a good way to reduce your costs.
Walking from the city centre is also very popular as this 45-60 minute walk allows you to soak up the pre-match atmosphere. Walking through Everton Park on the way allows you to see stunning views of the city skyline.
Getting to the Hill Dickinson Stadium
Everton’s new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock is roughly 2 miles north of the city centre.
- By Train (Recommended): Take the Northern Line to Sandhills Station (a 5-minute trip from Moorfields or Central). From there, it is a 15-minute signposted walk to the stadium.
- By Matchday Shuttle Bus:
- Service 919: Departs from Commutation Row (near Lime Street).
- Service 929: Departs from Liverpool ONE Bus Station (Stand 4).
- On Foot: A 30-minute walk along the historic waterfront via Regent Road.
Best Match day Pubs in Liverpool
Near Anfield
There is a vast array of pubs to visit near Anfield on a match day. I will list some of my personal favourites and recommend them to any prospective visitors.
Taggy’s Bar & Beer Garden
Taggy’s is a unique LFC-themed sports bar located at 21 Anfield. This pub has a 250-seater beer garden with various large screens. Taggy’s bar is built around an original Kop End barrier, and on display are also an old turnstile from the main stand and the old players’ tunnel door. The bar also has a fantastic display of match-worn memorabilia from various Liverpool legends.
The bar also serves match-day food such as burgers and fries. The draught beers are Staropramen, Carlsberg, San Miguel, Guinness and Tetley’s Bitter.
The Albert Pub Anfield
The Albert Pub is located on the Anfield grounds and is at the heart of Liverpool match day routines. This redbrick Victorian pub, next to Liverpool FC’s home ground, is decorated with football memorabilia. This proper traditional pub is at the back of the Kop End and has been a part of Liverpool fan tradition for well over 100 years.
This pub can be difficult to gain access to on match day due to its popularity, but if you get the chance to have a drink at Liverpool’s most authentic pub, then do it.
The Twelfth Man Sports Bar
The Twelfth Man Sports Bar is another supporters’ pub at the heart of the Anfield area. A fantastic supporters pub with great atmosphere and fantastic beer options at a reasonable price.
City Centre Pre-Match
The Liverpool city centre has numerous amazing sports bars to go to before travelling to the match. I would recommend exploring the city centre and going with the flow, finding a bar where you get the best vibe. Don’t over-plan!
Stadium Tours Worth Doing
If you wish to dive deeper into either Merseyside club’s history, then a stadium tour is an excellent way to further your knowledge of the clubs’ differing histories. Get behind-the-scenes access to changing rooms, press-conference rooms, and see the trophy cabinets. Walk out of the tunnel like your favourite footballer and enhance your connection with the club of your choice.
If you want to visit the city and explore the city’s world-famous football scene but cannot obtain a match ticket, then a stadium tour is a fantastic and more affordable alternative that I would highly recommend.
- Liverpool FC Stadium Tour (Anfield)
- Everton FC Stadium Tour (Hill Dickinson)
Beyond Football – What To Do in Liverpool
Even football fans want more. Liverpool is a city that offers far more for visitors than just football. Liverpool is the home of the world’s most successful ever band, The Beatles. The Royal Albert Dock also attracts visitors due to its history and stunning views of the Liverpool waterfront. Also, visitors should explore the city’s two stunning cathedrals.
Another popular activity for visitors is taking a river tour across the River Mersey, giving visitors a stunning view of Liverpool. The Beatles story & the Cavern Club are must-dos, and explore the Fab Four’s history at the museum and catch live music at the legendary club.
Visit the fantastic Liverpool ONE shopping centre, which is a fantastic complex near the Liverpool waterfront. Liverpool One has major shopping outlets, bars, restaurants, and activities.
Read more City Guides below.
Is Liverpool Safe for Supporters?
Liverpool is a city like many others. There are nice areas and some not-so-nice areas. I have been to nearly 50 Liverpool games and never experienced any danger or issues. Stick to the busy areas and popular tourist areas. Avoid venturing off on your own at night in unfamiliar areas, and make sure you sit in the correct area of the stadium. As an away supporter, you should not sit in the opposing team’s supporters’ area and avoid wearing rival colours.
Anfield and the Hill Dickinson are heavily policed on a match day, which ensures a safer experience. Games against European opposition and matches against Everton and Manchester United can have more hostile atmospheres, but are usually enjoyed in a fierce but appropriate way.
How Many Days Do You Need in Liverpool?
A trip to Liverpool can be done in a day, but can also be spread across a few days if you prefer a relaxed break. If you simply seek a pure football trip, you can watch one team and do a tour of the other in a day. If you want to fully immerse yourself in Scouse culture and fully explore the city, then I recommend 2 full days.
For help planning your Liverpool trip, click below.
1 day = just football
2 days = football + culture
3 days = relaxed trip
Final Verdict – Is Liverpool Worth It for Football Fans?
Yes, every football fan around the world should have Liverpool on their bucket list. Liverpool embraces football like no other; this passionate and football-crazy city will provide you with the football trip of a lifetime. Liverpool is a thrill-seeking, adrenaline-wanting football traveller’s paradise. Liverpool and Everton are Premier League giants with prestigious histories that are well worth exploring.
Perfect day for watching Football in Liverpool (Itinerary)
Morning: Start your day at the Beatles Story Museum and visit the Beatles statue on the waterfront. Go for breakfast at the Royal Albert Dock and explore the area.
Afternoon: Hill Dickinson Stadium Tour. Visit the new home of Everton FC on the Bramley-Moore Dock. A 90-minute guided experience through the state-of-the-art waterfront arena, including the dressing rooms and the South Stand “city view” concourse.
- Tour cost= £25
Following the tour, head back to the city centre. Visit the famous Cavern Club on Matthew Street and enjoy some live music.
Evening: Match Night at Anfield
Make your way to the stadium for an amazing night under the Anfield lights. Arrive early, soak up the pre-match atmosphere. Go for a pint in one of the previously recommended pubs.
Take a short walk around the stadium to see massive murals of LFC legends like Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and the touching tribute following the passing of Liverpool number 20, Diogo Jota.
Kick-Off at Anfield: Make your way into Anfield and experience one of the best atmospheres in world football, and enjoy watching the Reds.
This itinerary is tailored to my own personal trip.
Overall Match day and City Ratings
| Category | Score (1-10) |
| Atmosphere | 10 |
| Fan Culture | 10 |
| Ease of Obtaining Tickets | 3 |
| Safety & Comfort | 8 |
| Value for Money | 6 |
| Local Beer | 8 |
| Overall | 8 |
From a football point of view, Liverpool is a ten. But due to phenomenal demand, tickets can be hard to come by and therefore often leads to high ticket prices, lowering my overall score.
Having read this, hopefully, I have told you everything you need to know, ensuring you have a sensational trip to Liverpool. Liverpool is a fantastic city at the pinnacle of world football.
Planning to visit Anfield? Read my full match day experience from inside the Kop.
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