Away days: Liverpool
As the Swans get set to face Liverpool on Boxing Day, we bring you a fan's guide to Anfield to improve your matchday experience.
Liverpool
Tuesday, December 26, 2017 - 5.30pm
Address: Anfield Road, Liverpool, L4 0TH
Telephone: 0151 264 2500 Website: www.liverpoolfc.com
WHAT’S IT LIKE? Anfield does not look much from the outside, but inside it is very impressive. Swans fans are in the Anfield Road stand, but be sure to get in early for the singing of You'll Never Walk Alone with the red-and-white scarves and flags held high.
The facilities in the stand are okay with a betting booth and wide variety of burgers, hot dogs and pies, including Scouse pies, while alcohol is also available.
One of the legendary venues in world football, Anfield is a great day out.
Keep an eye out for the famous gates and statues of Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, as well as the Hillsborough memorial.
VISITING LIVERPOOL Popular hotels in the city centre include The Adelphi, Holiday Inn, The Nadler, The Adagio or, for those on a budget, The Printwork Hotel. Near Anfield is the Melrose Abbey Hotel (L4 3TE).
Tours of Anfield are available to book at http://stadiumtours.liverpoolfc.com/ or by phoning 0151 260 6677.
Liverpool has the most museums outside of London. The Museum of Liverpool at the Pier Head is the largest newly-built national museum in Britain, while there are many others around Albert Dock.
This includes Merseyside Maritime Museum (L3 4AQ), where you can discover the city’s seafaring past by visiting the free exhibition entitled Black Salt: Britain’s Black Sailors, which is based on the book by historian, Ray Costello.
All museums are open from 10am to 5pm, but are closed from December 24-26, as well as New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Liverpool means The Beatles. The Magical Mystery Tour leaves from Albert Dock (L3 4AS), and is a two-hour journey around the places that made The Beatles, including Penny Lane and Strawberry Field, tickets are £17.95. It doesn’t operate Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day.
Many shows and exhibitions are closed over the Boxing Day period, although there are pantomimes to look forward to.
The Liverpool Empire (L1 1JE) has Cinderella from December 26 through to the new year with tickets costing between £11 and £40.
Meanwhile, you can watch Snow White at St Helens, as well as Peter Pan and Aladdin at the Epstein and Echo Arena respectively.
For more info go to www.visitliverpool.com/.
PUBS AND GRUB The Arkles (L4 0TJ) is a popular pub for away fans, but be sure to get there early as it fills quickly and there will be queues to get in.
Meanwhile, the Flat Iron (L4 0SY) is a five-minute walk away, although it is mostly filled with Liverpool fans,
There is a big food court opposite the players’ entrance on Anfield Road. Open four hours before kick-off and an hour after the game, it sells fish and chips, burgers and hot dogs, as well as beer, wine and spirits and specialist coffee.
PARKING There are two ways to Liverpool – through mid-Wales and the motorway – with both taking around the same amount of time, but be wary of the weather.
If you arrive early, street parking can be found. If not, you can park in the streets around Goodison Park and walk across Stanley Park to Anfield, or park in a secure parking area at Goodison for £10.
Meanwhile, parking is also available at the Dockers Club (L6 0BB), a 15-minute walk from Anfield, for £5.
TRANSPORT You will have to make your own way to the match as there is no train service to Liverpool on Boxing Day.
Public transport from Liverpool city centre is via the Merseyrail Northern Line to Sandhills, where special Soccerbuses run for two hours before and after games and drop you nearby Anfield with prices ranging between £1 (for children) and £3.50 (for a return).
