‘It’s unreal’: PL striker says the Kop is simply amazing and Liverpool have the best atmosphere in England

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Michail Antonio says the atmosphere that Liverpool fans create at Anfield is the best in England.

The West Ham United man believes that the noise created by The Kop is ‘unreal’.

The 31-year-old made the comments whilst speaking with Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson. The pair were talking to The Footballer’s Football Podcast (6mins 25secs).

“Once they start singing and you’re playing, it’s like they’re sucking the ball into the net,” said Antonio.

“It’s unreal, how they manage to lift their players and push their team against you because you feel like the ball getting sucked into your net.”

Asked what the best atmosphere they’d played in was, the two players were in agreement.

“In terms of atmosphere it’s probably going to have to be Anfield,” said Wilson.

But while Antonio thought the atmosphere made it more difficult to play in, Wilson claimed to take extra energy from the noise.

“When the Kop are singing You’ll Never Walk Alone before the game it makes goosebumps stand up on your arms and you actually get more energy from that,” said the England striker.

“My mentality is a bit like today now I’m going to score in front of that atmosphere”.

The Anfield factor

It can often be played down by rival fans as being something of a myth. But to hear current Premier League footballers speak about Anfield in such a way goes to show the power of the old stadium.

When The Kop are in full voice, there are few better crowds in world football. The mystique that comes with it is enough to give Liverpool an added edge over any team.

Liverpool saw their remarkable undefeated 68-game run at Anfield ended by Burnley last season. That was followed up with five consecutive home defeats in a row.

That abysmal run obviously came against a back-drop of empty stands. That Liverpool are unbeaten at home since the return of the crowd isn’t a coincidence.

Every top team goes into home games expecting to win. But as comments like Wilson’s and Antonio’s show, The Reds have a big mental advantage before a ball is even kicked.