Anfield has been in the headlines again over the last week for pushing the team to the limit, but fans’ frustrations over tickets remain amidst all of this.

“Loudest crowd since I’ve been here,” that’s how Arne Slot described the atmosphere after his team came back and defeated Brighton.

Three days later, against Leverkusen, the Reds coach once again highlighted the role of the fans in the stands: “Today the atmosphere, last Saturday I said ‘it was impressive’, I think today was even more impressive.”

Brighton Coach Fabián Hurzeler admitted his team were perhaps “a little attracted by the atmosphere”, while Xabi Alonso said it is “much more difficult to control it on the pitch” than to explain it in words.

Liverpool fans have risen to the occasion over the last week and, with just one game left until the final international break of 2024, Slot’s side sit at the top of the table. first division and champions league tables.

Anfield has played its part in getting them there.

Anfield Fortress

There was understandable concern about the Anfield atmosphere at the start of the season, with Slot’s controlled style and risk management failing to spark the wild moments that underpinned Jurgen KloppThe reign.

The weather and the nature of the opponents always fuel an atmosphere, and that has come into play as well.

Some may not like to hear it, but a 3:00 pm start against BournemouthFor example, it’s not going to cause the same cauldron of noise as real MadridThe imminent visit will do it.

If that were the case, the atmosphere wouldn’t be as special or memorable. Unlike the constant noise we hear throughout continental Europe, the reaction from fans to real-time moments is what lights the fire.

The players need the fans and the fans need the players, and Slot recognizes this, saying in his program notes before the 4-0 win over Leverkusen:

“The energy in the stands brings energy between the players and vice versa.

“It’s a virtuous circle that I know has served this club incredibly well over the years, so the more we can bring it to the stadium, the better.”

Anfield has a huge role to play this season. With city ​​man showing signs of hesitation and Arsenal Already losing points five times, the opportunity arrives, and that is not lost in L4.

The great Ian St John once said: “There’s no noise like Anfield.” At his best, he’s savage and unforgiving – he’s seen the best this game has to offer stumble.

Pep Guardiola has been on the receiving end, much to our enjoyment, saying: “They score a goal and in the next five minutes you feel like you’re going to get another four.

“You feel small and the opposing players seem to be on top of you.”

Anfield is a weapon that no one else has. It is exclusive to Liverpool and the victories over Brighton and Leverkusen was something we all needed to see and be a part of.

However, having access to contribute on the ground is a completely different matter.

The fight with tickets

Whether it’s NFC ticket issues, online sales issues, failed ballot entries, or a difficult-to-climb credit ladder, the barriers to entry are plentiful.

No solution to any of these issues will suit all fans, but there is growing disillusionment with the whole process which is restricting access to Anfield for all.

The stadium has grown in size, but eye-wateringly priced hospitality seats dominate the seating map, while the club charges membership fees (starting at £26.99) for fans who never manage to get a ticket.

If you lose a sale, the credits you so diligently tried to accumulate will disappear in an instant. There are few winners.

If Covid taught us anything, it is that going to the game should not be taken for granted. It is a privilege, but the fans do not always feel valued by the club to which they give so much.

Supply will always outstrip demand, but the voting system continues to frustrate fans, as it did in the run-up to Villa AstonSaturday’s visit after the second half of the season results were emailed to fans:

Sound @LFC When will we get our membership money back? pic.twitter.com/UF2CGtryIl

—James Lyons (@HamezLyons) November 7, 2024

LFC ballot results, no surprise, once again unsuccessful, ballot process is an absolute joke! pic.twitter.com/w6QPsItbf0

—Dean Kennedy (@deankeno25) November 7, 2024

Once again, the sending of ballots for all members was not done correctly. Once again proving that it is a flawed system. I won’t receive it again. Paying money to the club for the possibility of getting tickets is absurd. #LFC

—GXM113 (@gxm113) November 7, 2024

Ah yes, the 6-month ballot rejection love letter has arrived. @LFC. Member voting remains a joke while we have a ridiculous number of hospitality seats. #LFC #YNWA

-Kanza (@ChallengeKanza) November 7, 2024

The club proudly advertises the atmosphere at Anfield, and rightly so, but all fans want to feel valued, and that’s not always the case with a ticket system that will happily allow empty seats and you paying over the odds.

The victories against Brighton and Leverkusen were the latest examples of how fans directly affect what happens on the pitch, and there will no doubt be more moments throughout the season.

But it is Liverpool fans who make the game played in beautiful colors and a cacophony of sounds, and not the black and white existence we experienced in 2020 and 2021. It is important to remember that.