Liverpool (13-05-2018)

Liverpool 4 - 0 Brighton (Premier League), Sunday 13 May 2018

Train £13-20
Bus £2-10
Burger King £7-35
Match ticket £53
Total £75-65

Liverpool (14-04-2018)

Liverpool 3 - 0 Bournemouth (Premier League), Saturday 14 April 2018

Train £16-50
Match ticket £53
Bus £2-10
Tea £2
Total £73-60

Liverpool (14-01-2018)

Liverpool 4 - 3 Manchester City (Premier League), Sunday 14 January 2018

Match ticket £52
Train £11-15
Tea £1-85
Pasty £5-49
Bus in Sheffield £2
Bus to Anfield £4
Total £77-49

Liverpool (10-12-2017)

Liverpool 1 - 1 Everton (Premier League), Sunday 10th December 2017

Match ticket £53
Train £12-50
Bus to Anfield £4
Tea £2-10
Provisions £2-40
Lunch £14-65
Total £88-65

Liverpool (25-11-2017)

Liverpool 1 - 1 Chelsea (Premier League), Saturday 25 November 2017

Ticket £42
Bus to anfield £4
Bus in Sheffield £2
Train £14-50
Tea £1-95
Total £64-55

Liverpool (18-11-2017)

Liverpool 3 - 0 Southampton (Premier League), Saturday 18th November 2017

Match ticket £37
Tea x2 £3-90
Bus to Anfield £2-10
Train ticket £15-20
Total £58-20

Liverpool (27-08-2017)

Liverpool 4 - 0 Arsenal (Premier League), Sunday 27 August 2017

Match ticket £39
Train ticket £16-70
Bus to Anfield £2-10
Water 60p
Fruit £1-40
Tea £2-10
Total £61-90

Liverpool (19-08-2017)

Liverpool 1 - 0 Crystal Palace (Premier League), Saturday 19 August 2017

Tea £1-95
Match ticket £42
Bus to Anfield £2-10
Programme £3-50
Train £18-35
Total £67-90

Liverpool (21-05-2017)

Liverpool 3 - 0 Middlesbrough (Premier League), Sunday 21 May 2017

Match ticket £45
Train £14-90
Bus to Anfield £4
Programme £3-50
Tea £2-20
Drink £1
Total £70-60

So often, Liverpool either massively overachieve (think back to their 2013/14 title charge or even Istanbul in 2005) or underachieve (think of recent 6th, 7th and 8th placed finishes). Today was their chance to change this, and hit exactly what they deserved this year. If Liverpool beat Middlesbrough, they would finish 4th, which will be a real sign of progress at the club under Klopp. They have somehow edged out tight results in recent weeks, and could even afford a bore draw against Southampton and a shock loss against Crystal Palace. I think everyone would have taken this opportunity at the start of the season.

Liverpool are starting to establish a fortress at Anfield again, and started with some energy. But this soon dissipated as the nervousness began to affect the players and passes started going astray. From our position at the very back of the Lower Anfield Road end, we could sense the growing confidence in the Middlesbrough defence as they started to intercept passes and foil the Reds’ attacking play. In recent weeks though, Liverpool have demonstrated some steely determination in seeing off these kind of tactics. There is a greater mental strength in the squad than previously. Their tenacity resulted in a late first half goal for Winjaldum, who ran into the box and smashed in a fierce shot. This settled the tensions around the stadium, where many people were nervously checking phones for the scores at Manchester City and Arsenal.

Within a short space of time, Liverpool scored 2 more after the break through Coutinho (51 minutes) and Lallana (56 minutes). This seems a favourite time to score in the games we’ve been to this year. Liverpool could have maybe had more, but this was more than enough to wrap up the win against the relegated Middlesbrough. While they will have to negotiate a potentially tricky play-off to reach the Group Stages of the Champions League, Liverpool are almost there, and will view this as progress. For once they have achieved exactly what they deserve, and there is now hope that solid foundations are being laid for the future. Let's see what 2017/18 brings!

Liverpool (01-04-2017)

Liverpool 3 - 1 Everton (Saturday 1st April 2017), Premier League

Match ticket £46
Train £18-15
Tea £1-95
Bus to Anfield £4
Tea £2
Toilet 30p
Total £72-40

Finally Liverpool had a midday home kick-off! After a string of endless 5:30 Saturday and 4PM Sunday kick-offs, it was a nice change to have an early match to go to. Although this meant an early start in Sheffield and the 8:40 train, it also meant that we would get home at a reasonable time (and in time for tea!).

Everton were today's opposition, in what was a key Merseyside Derby. As mentioned in my previous blog, Anfield now towers over Goodison, and the gap between the two sides is widening once more. There was a period in 2013/14 when Everton looked destined for a Champions League place, but now they would just be happy to get into the Europa League.

The start of the match was marked by tributes to the legendary Ronnie Moran ('Bugsy'), with seat signs in the Kop marking out his nickname. The number of trophies and years read across the tannoy was incredible, and just illustrates the historical size of this club.

Today's Liverpool could be going places if they can close out this season. As against Arsenal they started superbly, taking the lead through Mane after a one-two with Firmino. They huffed and puffed, but couldn't blow the Toffees' door down a second time. Everton looked handy on the break and I was particularly impressed with the young Tom Davies - pacey, able to turn quickly and with an eye for a pass. Meanwhile, Ross Barkley (supposedly the great white hope of English football) was having a shocker, fouling at almost every opportunity and unable to put together more than a couple of passes. But, with this being Liverpool, there is always an opening, and Pennington took full advantage when a simple corner wasn't dealt with by Liverpool's back line. The fans were deflated. But within a couple of minutes, the home side took the lead again when Coutinho's effort flew into the top corner.

The second period saw Liverpool further stretch the away side, who looked tired and devoid of ideas. So it was no surprise when Origi made it 3-1 on 60 minutes to confirm Liverpool's dominance, and take the edge off a slightly nervous Anfield crowd. This was another excellent performance, and if they can keep getting results in their final few games, they should be on the way to the Champions League for the first time since 2014.

Liverpool (04-03-2017)

Liverpool 3 - 1 Arsenal (Saturday 4th March 2017), Premier League

Match ticket £53
Train £23-70
Bus £4
Tea £2
Taxi (£10/2) £5
Total £87-70

We are back! After a couple of months away from the football scene - with the arrival of one Baby Groundhopper - we headed back to Anfield for a key match against Arsenal. In fact we should have been here for Spurs on February 11th but that was scuppered by a suicide on the line. Today's journey was circuitous, taking us via a bus from Stockport, due to a landslide which had closed Lime Street. We haven't had much luck on recent travels to Merseyside.

Today was actually the first time we had been in the Main Stand Upper. Needless to say the views are impressive and, while the steps are steep, there is much more leg room than the old Main Stand. The views from the main concourse take in the Mersey and a small blue ground in the distance - oh yes, that will be Goodison Park! With Spring on the horizon, the game almost kicked off in the light, with the sun setting over distant terraced houses.

Liverpool approached this game with an intensity and desire that stunned the North London side. Within 9 minutes, they were ahead when Firmino slotted in at the near post. There was a strength to the attacking play which seemed to shock Arsenal. When the Gunners did have a period of dominance, Liverpool held them at bay well and withstood a mini-onslaught, just as they had against Manchester City in December. There are signs that this Klopp side are developing a tougher underbelly, and are starting to adapt to different situations they encounter. Deservedly Liverpool then made it two through the excellent Sadio Mane from a flowing forward move, on 40 minutes.

The arrival of Sanchez in the second period unsettled the Reds for a period, and they saw little of the ball in a fallow 20 minute spell. Danny Welbeck pulled one back on 57 minutes and then suddenly Liverpool looked a bit ropey. But again they stuck to their task and while there was always a feeling that Arsenal could score, they never managed a breakthrough. Then a fine counterattacking move resulted in Winjaldum slotting in right in front of the Kop in the 91st minute of a cracking game. So honours to Liverpool, whose remarkable results against the top teams continues. If only they could beat the Bournemouths and Burnleys of this world!

Our journey back was beset by delays, with a misprint in the bus replacement timetable - and chaos outside Lime Street - meaning we finally got home at midnight. We shall add this to the list of travel disasters which seem to occur on a semi-regular basis these days. But it was all worth it. Waking up the next day with the sun shining I got a definite sense that this was our last game of Winter.

Liverpool (22-10-2016)

Liverpool 2 - 1 West Bromwich Albion (Premier League), Saturday 22 October 2016

Prawn salad £2-60
Water £1-50
Toilet at Piccadilly 30p
Tea at the Walker £2
Bus to Anfield £2
Bus to Sheffield centre £1-50
Taxi (£10/2) £5
Train £15-35
Ticket £48
Total £78-25

Games in October can be brilliant, resting as they do on ‘the turn’ – the fulcrum between Autumn and Winter. About a year ago (Oct 2015), we were in Liverpool for Klopp’s first league game as manager, which feels like an age away now. West Brom’s game at Anfield would be the last one I would go to there for some time, so this felt like the end of one of 2016/17’s chapters. The Birmingham side have seemingly taken Stoke’s place as Liverpool’s bogey team, having picked up plenty of points home and away against the Reds in recent years. 

As with the Hull and Leicester games, Liverpool were dominant and raced into a 2-goal lead after first half goals from Mane and Coutinho. A highlight of the season so far has been the linkages between Firmino, Mane and Coutinho, who defences must dread playing against. In the second half, Liverpool could not turn their dominance into any further goals, and had a slight wobble at the end when McAuley grabbed a consolation in the 81st minute. It is in situations like this when concentration and confidence at the back is crucial. There were a nervy few minutes as West Brom made Liverpool panic somewhat, but the Reds had enough to get over the line and grab 3 points. It is winning games like this that will turn Liverpool from a team with the odd cup run to one challenging for titles and Champions League places. So hopefully this is a good sign.

Our journey back was beset with disaster. First an announcement blared out over Anfield saying all trains from Lime Street had been cancelled. Then I foolishly decided to walk back to the centre, where we only just made our train. Predictably it was packed, and it was held up for about half an hour (somewhere near Warrington), meaning we missed our onward connection in Manchester. We ended up catching a later train from Manchester, and must have got in at about midnight!

Liverpool (24-09-2016)

Liverpool 5 - 1 Hull City (Premier League), Saturday 24th September 2016

Bus Sheffield £3
Bus Liverpool £4
Tea £2-10
Train £16-85
Pasta £2-80
Water 80p
Match ticket £42
Total £71-55

My description of Liverpool’s previous home match against Leicester could apply here too, where Hull were left battered and bruised by the home side’s excellence. For the first time in what felt like ages, this was a 3PM kick-off at Anfield, where for today we were in the Kop. It is quite rare to be in this stand for league games, so it made a nice change to be at the centre of the atmosphere as it spread through the ground.

Within 30 minutes, Liverpool were 2 goals up and Hull a man down. Lallana opened the scoring on 17 minutes, and then Hull’s Elmohamady was sent off for a handball in the box. Milner converted the resulting penalty (he is reliable as ever!). Before Hull had a chance to respond, Mane (who has started his Liverpool career in brilliant form) made it 3-0 in the 36th minute.

At half-time, I genuinely wondered if the Reds could wrack up 6 or 7 today given they dominance. On 51 minutes, David Meyler smashed in a consolation for Hull, which dampened the atmosphere somewhat, before Coutinho restored the euphoria with a superb long-range strike. 4-1 and Liverpool were tearing Hull apart. To cap it off, Milner coolly converted a second penalty to make it 5-1. Hull were left clutching at straws and focusing on damage limitation. Liverpool are now eagerly looking up the table, and lie in 4th place after 6 games - within a point of Spurs (2nd) and 5 away from Manchester City (1st).

Liverpool (10-09-2016)

Liverpool 4 - 1 Leicester City (Premier League), Saturday 10 September 2016

Ticket = £53
Programme = £3-50
Parking (Sheffield station) = £7-50
Bus to and from Anfield = £4
Water = £1
Tea at ground = £2-50
Train = £15-45
Total = £86-95

‘Crash, bang, wallop…’. Today’s match against Leicester reminded me of the old Batman series, where painful parts of fight scenes were covered up with cartoon descriptions. Leicester – the reigning Premier League champions – were thumped at Anfield.

If I rewind a little then… The backdrop to today’s match was the impressive sight of the completed Main Stand, which has uplifted Anfield’s capacity to 54,000. Today’s 5:30PM kick-off was the first home match since the renovation work had been completed and we were lucky enough to be able to get tickets for this one. If Gerrard’s last home game against Palace in May 2015 was the end of an era, this one was the start of something.

Liverpool did not disappoint. Within 13 minutes they were ahead through Firmino, and then doubled their lead when Sturridge back-heeled to set up Sadio Mane. They seemed to have a stranglehold on the game for almost all of the first half. Then bizarrely, Lucas laid on a peach of a back-pass for Jamie Vardy to latch onto and plant the ball in. This kid is a poacher and will take advantage of any weakness in the back-line. Lallana re-established Liverpool’s two goal advantage with a 56^th minute rocket, and then Firmino grabbed a brace after a set-up from Mane. 

There were so many positives in midfield and attack, and after this match Liverpool have 7 points from 4 games (3 of which have been away from home). They have hit the ground running – let’s hope this continues through 2016/17.

Liverpool (08-05-2016)

Liverpool 2 - 0 Watford (Premiership), Sunday 8th May 2016

Tea £1-90

Baguette £3-99

Bus to Anfield £2

Match ticket £47

Programme £3-50

Burger King £5-98

Train £11-90

Parking at Sheffield £7-50

Total £83-77

Just when we thought it was safe to go back in the shower… Our bad luck in travelling resurfaced today, with the train across the Pennines terminating at Manchester Piccadilly. Chaos ensued and none of the station staff knew how we could get to Liverpool (as the line was blocked for some reason). We jumped on a train to Crewe, back through Stockport, and eventually reached Liverpool with about an hour to spare. It was far from ideal, but our saving grace was that we had allowed extra time for the journey today. 

This was to be our last match at Anfield before the Main Stand was fully open – appropriately we took in the action from the far side of the Main Stand, in full view of the Kop (and with only a pillar obstructing our view!).

This was not the most exciting match ever (and something of an anti-climax after the Europa League semi-final win in the week), but Liverpool again edged it out comfortably over their less illustrious opponents. Joe Allen and Roberto Firmino scored a goal apiece to grab a 2-0 win. By this time, it was clear that Liverpool were just going to miss out on the top 4 and would have to rely on the Europa League as their route back into the Champions League. Eventually they finished a distant 8th, and lost the Europa League final to Sevilla, so this season – for all its promise, guts and glory – delivered nothing to Anfield. While waiting for the train back home, our treat was a magnificent burger and chips in a deserted Burger King in the city centre. Let’s hope that 2016/17 delivers a bit more for Klopp’s hungry Liverpool side.

Liverpool (10-04-2016)

Liverpool 4 - 1 Stoke City (Premier League), Sunday 10th April

Parking at Sheffield £7-50
Food estimate £5
Drink estimate £2
Train £23-30
Bus £4
Programme £3-50
Match ticket £43
Total £88-30

‘Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop’. As I write this blog entry almost 18 months after the match, I thought it apt to put a reminder of where to start with this one. The truth be told I am ambivalent about trips to Liverpool and cannot remember much about this home game against Stoke. Thankfully there were no travel hold-ups and the end result meant that we went home happy for once.

Moreno’s early long-range strike put Liverpool ahead, before Bojan equalised for the Potters. Sturridge – who at this time was in a decent run of form – made it 2-1, before a brace from Origi saw Liverpool comfortably take 3 points. Stoke have been a thorn in Liverpool’s side at times, so this was a welcome win.

The table after this game showed where Liverpool were in this packed season; the 3 points only just edged them a point ahead of Stoke, but still left them 9 points adrift of the Champions League places. Their next game would be the epic second leg against Borrussia Dortmund, so it was good to see minds and bodies focused today. Looking back at this from the start of 2017/18 shows just how far Liverpool have come since Klopp arrived on Merseyside.

Liverpool (02-04-2016)

Liverpool 1 – 1 Tottenham (Premier League), Saturday 2 April 2016

Train to Liverpool £23-30
Tea £2
Bus to Anfield £4
Programme £3-50
Parking at Sheffield station £7-50
Match ticket £55
Total £97-50

Unbelievably, I bought tickets for this game way back in November, the day after the France game. Even more strange was the fact that this was only the second Saturday game we've seen at Anfield this season. So many games have been shunted to Sundays due to the demands of TV, and the Europa League.

For today's late kick off we headed across just after lunch, with Liverpool looking to have some say in the extraordinary title race between Spurs and Leicester. Outside the ground on the way into the right hand side of the Main Stand, I was handed a leaflet proposing that Israel be thrown out of UEFA. While I'm not going to offer a comment on the issue, it just shows how closely sport and politics are linked.

On the pitch this was an intriguing clash. Liverpool initially took the game to Spurs but the North London side were extremely difficult to contain. The way that both teams pressed high at every opportunity made the first half pretty energetic, but a fairly equal affair nonetheless. I was particularly impressed by the formation and organisation of a hard-working and extremely fit Spurs side. Sometimes they kept the ball with consummate ease, though their work rate was matched by Klopp's Liverpool.

Barely 8 minutes had passed in the second half and Liverpool were ahead. Sturridge's quick pass to Coutinho set up the Brazilian to slide the ball into the bottom corner. It was a classic Coutinho goal and reminded me of many Scholes and Lampard strikes in the past (quick thinking and arriving late in the box). That could be crucial. But Spurs are made of tough stuff this year, and equalised when Kane turned at a tight angle inside the box, spinning the defence and leaving Mignolet with no chance.

The game could then have gone either way, with the Reds carving out a couple of half chances and Spurs forcing Mignolet into some brilliant saves (he can't catch but he can tip the ball away!) In the end the home side were probably happier with the point, and Tottenham may regard this as 2 points dropped. As we swiftly exited the ground and pretty much straight onto the bus, you got a sense that this title race is entering a decisive final strait.