Jurgen Klopp was left unhappy with the atmosphere at Anfield as Liverpool beat West Ham 5-1 in the Carabao Cup Quarter Final.
Liverpool Supporters Union ‘Spirit of Shankly’ expressed concerns over the lack of opportunities for younger fans to attend games.
This comes just three days after Gary Neville said on Sky Sports that the atmosphere was the worst he had ever seen at Anfield for a Liverpool-Manchester United game.
And now Klopp has given his own criticism of Liverpool’s home supporters, with a plea for them to generate a much bigger noise for when they take on Premier League leaders Arsenal on Saturday.
“We need Anfield.”
“If you’re not in the right shape, give your ticket to someone else…”
š£ JĆ¼rgen on Saturday
pic.twitter.com/OYLiIiWG5Oā The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) December 20, 2023
š£ “Give your ticket to somebody else”.
Jurgen Klopp said he was “not overly happy” with the atmosphere at Anfield during Liverpool’s 5-1 EFL Cup win over West Ham. š¬#BBCFootball #LFC pic.twitter.com/MLChUSjz8f
ā Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 21, 2023
“I have to say – it’s long ago that I said this – but I thought the first half a little bit, when the boys played really exceptional, I was not overly happy, I have to say, with the atmosphere behind me,” said Klopp.
“I don’t know. I don’t ask people, what do we want? We changed a lot of things. We dominated West Ham like crazy. We missed chances. And I mean, if I would be in the stand I would be on my toes, 1,000 per cent.
“I don’t know if the Man United game was that bad that we have to say, ‘oh sorry that we didn’t smash them’.
“We need Anfield on Saturday. Without Anfield, I would say – after they (Arsenal) didn’t play this week, they prepare for this game and anyone who knows a little bit about them, they will be prepared.
“So, we need Anfield on their toes from the first second without me having an argument with the opposition coach. We need you from the first second.
“If you really want, if it’s too much football in December, I don’t know. Sorry we have to play it as well. But if you are not in the right shape, give your ticket to somebody else.”
And this comes despite an increased capacity with the expansion of the Anfield Road Stand.
On Sunday, Liverpool and Manchester United played out a goalless draw in front of 57,158 fans, which turned out to be the highest attendance at Anfield since 1963.
There were even more people there on Wednesday night with 57,332 inside.
Liverpool supporters’ group Spirit of Shankly responded to Klopp’s comments by saying: “We have no argument with Jurgen Klopp highlighting issues around the Anfield atmosphere, or lack of it, at times. It’s something our fans discuss regularly, it is central to the club’s, and Anfield’s, identity, and something the most passionate among us are keen to protect.
“It is no accident, opposing teams, coaches and fans speak about the ‘Anfield effect’. We all know how intimidating the crowd can make it for visiting sides, how the atmosphere can be second to none – ask Barcelona, or Dortmund or [Manchester] City, or Arsenal last season.
“We do have concerns though about the lack of opportunities for young supporters to go to the game, catch the bug and preserve this decades-long culture of The Kop. And deep-rooted worries that our culture is being watered down by greater corporate offerings and out-of-reach ticket prices – echoed by supporters across the Premier League.
“We are in constant dialogue with the club to explore ways we can improve the situation, get more youngsters to experience Anfield and create the best atmosphere possible. Every game”.
Speaking last week, Neville claimed that over-confidence was to blame for the underwhelming atmosphere, as Liverpool failed to repeat the 7-0 thrashing of Man Utd in the 2022/23 campaign.
“The atmosphere was the worst I’ve seen at Anfield ever for a Liverpool-Manchester United game,” he told Sky Sports. “I’ve always been complimentary of Liverpool fans. It’s the biggest crowd they’ve had here in 60, 70 years. But it’s the quietest crowd I’ve seen in this game.
“I don’t know what was up today. There was maybe a bit of over-confidence before the game.”
This is how Twitter users reacted with Jurgen Klopp left feeling rather unhappy with the atmosphere at Anfield as Liverpool beat West Ham in the Carabao Cup…
@ThatAnfieldBuzz: He’s got a point. If you arent coming to shout the team on, give it someone else.
@AWilsonmhealth: The PL is a product. The working man is priced out of it. Too many tourists, selfie sticks, corporates, exec packages, half & half scarves and chronic entitlement. I think that covers it
@joewileman: Anfield imo is largely full with season ticket holders who’ve been going for decades. That’s fine but the Kop isn’t getting the energy and enthusiasm of newer generations learning and singing the songs. As current fans in the stadium get older I fear it’ll get even quieter…
@_John_Hickey_: It needed to be said… Klopp wants the club to win, and Anfield should have a great atmosphere every game regardless of who we are playing.
@jarramick: most fans have been saying for a long timeā¦ Anfields a pure myth, you may get the odd 5 mins after āyouāll never walk alone ā but apart from thatā¦ no different to most other grounds in the league 2 many tourists, ppl getting told to sit down etc spoils it all over the country
@glazerscashcow: Clubs need to stop pricing fans out of games. They are to blame for the lack of atmosphere around a lot of grounds in the modern game. Once they get premium prices clubs wonāt care but they should. All roads lead back to the outrageous greed in football. Game is so sterile.
@wearelutontown: The working class have been pushed out of the game at clubs like Liverpool, what is he expecting – people to drop their prawn sandwiches and pull a flare out. The problem isnāt the fans in the stands, but who the club want in it. Canāt have it both ways.
@iphobin: Agree with Klopp, but his concerns should also be afforded to the club, they reap what they sow. With increased capacity they had the opportunity to be visionary, open the whole stadium up for change, but instead their chase for profits have come at a different cost elsewhere.
@christotaylo: People in football telling fans how to support is fucking nauseating. Klopp, Guardiola, and that Newcastle owner have all done it in recent weeks despite being fully aware of the reasons why atmosphere isn’t what it once was. They are more part of the problem than fans are.
@sarm0161: He needs to fuck off with this. As did Ferguson, Guardiola and the rest whoāve stood by and watched those who stayed loyal to the game when it was on its arse getting priced out & dicked around in favour of those with deeper pockets.
@CraigThomp09: Blame Sky and the clubs themselves for forcing away your typical old fashioned matchday fan that went for a pint, pie and a sing. Theyāre far happier with day trippers spending a small fortune in the club shop, spending 90 mins in the phone and fecking off. Reep what you sow.
@Pabsyyyyyy: Bang on. Pep bang on. Fergie was bang on. Keane was bang on. NUFC will be going the same way soon it’s what the modern football club owners want, tourists in buying the most expensive tickets & most expensive food/drink to spread the “global brand” & generate more revenue…
@eight_b: Agree with the sentiment, itās similar at NUFC & most PL clubs, but he might want to direct this at those above him who price genuine supporters out of going in favour of pandering to corporates who are there to experience the atmosphere, rather than to create it.
@Richbow79: Heās been to Kenilworth road and now nothing will ever be the same again.
@ConorMcGrace: English football fans are too busy telling each other “your support is shit” to recognise that pretty much every ground in the country has a crap atmosphere. Liv probably worst for it. If everyone accepted it – and focused on the reasons why – something might actually change.
@amylawrence71:
A fascinating topic on so many levels, PL wide.
1. The whole question of fandom and how active you are obliged to be if you have a ticket.
2. Most people need a PhD in computer science to figure out how to give a ticket to someone else these days. Which is rubbish for fans.
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