A Liverpool fan's memorable day at Anfield

The Spion Kop stands to attention as the men in red make their way towards the stand. The ground goes quiet apart from a small section of Southampton supporters. Then it begins.

Gerry Marsden’s voice breaks the mid-afternoon air: “When you walk through a storm…”

The Kop picks up the song and before you know it every man, woman and child dressed in Red is belting out the world famous tune.

It comes to a heavy crescendo as more and more emotion bubbles to the surface, before a deafening roar signals for everyone to focus on the centre of the pitch and wait for the match to begin.

As you’re probably aware by now I’m a Liverpool FC fan and I attended the match on Saturday, 21 September against Southampton.

I decide on the full stadium experience, beginning with the stadium tour followed by the Boot Room pre-match meal and finishing off with a seat at the Anfield Road end.

Unfortunately for us the museum tour was unavailable due to renovations, but that didn’t mean it impacted on our fun. We began at the players’ entrance, where we bumped into the Southampton kit managers busily unloading their gear.

We moved through the entrance, looking into the media rooms and stopping at the top of the tunnel. There it hung, the famous ‘This is Anfield’ sign.

Then through the tunnel we went, emerging next to the players’ dugout.

After that it was on to sit in the famous Spion Kop. For those who don’t know, it was so named after 300 men who died in the Boer war, the majority from Liverpool who stood at that end of the ground.

It is now the voice of the stadium, leading everyone in the famous chants and songs. Any Liverpool players who are fortunate enough to score at Anfield get their name chanted following the goal.

With some time to kill following the tour,  it was off to the stadium gift shop. Some half an hour later, and lighter in the bank account, I emerged with plenty of Liverpool merchandise.

Upon leaving the gift shop the UEFA Cup had made an appearance and so what better way to commemorate my visit to Anfield than a photo with the European trophy. About three hours prior to kick-off and it was time for lunch.

Up the stairs and I was welcomed by the friendly Boot Room staff with a personalised envelope containing my match-day ticket and itinerary. Seated at my table I was met by three fellow Reds. One from Singapore, one from Japan and one from Auckland.

Over a lunch of chicken, baked salmon and cheesecake we discussed the upcoming match, as well as learning about our own experiences of supporting LFC from different parts of the world.

Then it was time for the main event – the match between LFC and Southampton.

The Southampton fans were small in number but loud in voice. Of course, being only 2,000 strong in a 45,000 seat stadium, they were always going to be drowned out by the home fans.

Any energy and effort on the ball by a Red was met by a loud applause. With every call against Liverpool, the boos directed at the officials were deafening.

While Liverpool showed endeavor early on, they failed to impress on the scoreboard. Ultimately it was Southampton who took their chance early in the second half, with their lone goal proving the difference at full-time.

Apart from the result, the experience was one to be savoured.

For any true Liverpool FC supporter, a trip to Anfield has to be on the bucket list. It is unlike any other ground in the world and you will truly be swept up and pushed along by the Red tide.

And remember, You’ll Never Walk Alone.