Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier has claimed that the Anfield atmosphere is completely transformed during Champions League games.
Trippier was appearing on BBC 5 Live‘s coverage of last nights games. Asked whether Liverpool fans create a different feeling around European ties, the 31-year-old said he thought that was correct.
“Definitely,” said Trippier. “On a European night it was totally different from when I played there in the Premier League.”
The England right-back was part of the Atletico Madrid team who halted Liverpool’s Champions League defence in 2019/20. He remembers that as one of the best nights of his career.
“The fans were more up for it. There was maybe more on the game, trying to get into the Champions League quarter final, it was a fierce atmosphere. That was one of the best nights I’ve had in football.”
That night at Anfield lives in infamy for more than one reason. Aside from Adrian’s blunders on the pitch, the game was the last with a full crowd for almost 18 months owing to the Covid pandemic.
At the time though, we didn’t know that. Liverpool were aiming to overturn a 1-0 loss in Madrid and the atmosphere was electric.
Making home advantage count
So, onto the semi-final go Liverpool. A tie against Villarreal lies in wait across April and May. As we already knew after the draw was made, The Reds will play the first-leg of the tie at Anfield.
That’s potentially a disadvantage for Liverpool. It’s always nice to get the result in away from home so you know exactly what you need in the return leg.
As Trippier says, the atmosphere at Anfield is usually spectacular on a European night. Knowing exactly what is needed from the game can help to shape the feeling amongst the crowd.
However, the abolition of the away goals rule means that the order in which the games are played is a little less significant.
Either way, Liverpool know how hard it can be travelling to Villarreal. The Reds lost 1-0 on their only visit there before winning 3-0 at Anfield to reach the Europa League final in 2016.
Jurgen Klopp’s side need to put as much distance as possible between themselves and their opponent before they visit Estadio de la Ceramica on May 3rd.
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