Once again, Liverpool enjoyed some epic games at Anfield throughout the 2023/24 season.
Defeat against Crystal Palace in April unfortunately means that the Reds won’t complete an unbeaten campaign at home this time.
Nevertheless, there were some great games in there, with Anfield once again proving to be a fortress for Jurgen Klopp and his team.
One game that immediately springs to mind is December’s 4-3 win over Fulham. With the Reds having twice surrendered leads, they were sucker-punched by a Bobby Reid goal with 10 minutes to play. 3-2 to the visitors.
Liverpool rallied though, and after Wataru Endo had levelled the scores with a rocket in the 87th minute, Trent Alexander-Arnold won it just seconds later. Cue bedlam in the stands. And according to Fulham’s Tom Cairney, it was a unique noise to be heard on the pitch.
What has Tom Cairney said
Cairney was introduced as a 62nd minute substitute on the day, and went on to assist Reid for what looked like it might be the winning goal.
Having been around the block for Hull, Blackburn and Fulham, Cairney is a hugely experienced pro.
But speaking on The Footballer’s Football Podcast, the 33-year-old admitted that after Trent’s effort hit the net, he’d never heard a stadium so loud as Anfield at that moment.
“I’m going to say ours,” said Cairney when asked to pick the Premier League game of the season.
“Do you remember Liverpool’s goals against us? Every single one of them was from like 35 yards,” he added. “Endo scored, Trent scored, Mac Allister scored from about 40 yard and I’ve never, ever experienced a ground so loud as when Trent scored the winner.
“For the wrong reasons, obviously I didn’t enjoy it, but it was an incredible game to be involved in. As game of the season it was mental but for the wrong reasons for us.”
Liverpool prepare for Jurgen Klopp’s Anfield goodbye
Anfield has indeed been almost impenetrable throughout Klopp’s time as Liverpool manager. The stadium got it’s mojo back under the German.
It will be fascinating to see if the Reds can retain that level of invincibility and aura with Arne Slot at the helm. We suspect they will.
For now though, Klopp still has one last dance. It would not be a surprise if his final game as Liverpool boss was another roller-coaster.
With Wolves in town, the mood is going to be electric in the stands. Everyone will be desperate to see Jurgen off in the right way and the decibel levels are sure to rise again.
After the Anfield Road stand was redeveloped, Cairney should expect more of the same when he’s back next season.
