ECHO writer, Ryan Paton, takes you on a pub crawl to Anfield ahead of the Reds' first home game of the season There are countless different ways to do a pub crawl on the way to Anfield and this is just one of them. Excitement is building as Liverpool FC return to action this weekend with their first home game of the season. Thousands will descend on L4 tomorrow for Arne Slot's maiden Premier League game in the dugout at Anfield.
The Reds will be hoping to build on their impressive second half performance against Ipswich to make it six points from their first two games when they take on Brentford. Going the match is becoming increasingly hard work with expensive ticket prices and crazy kick off times making people's ultimate passion becoming more of a chore than it needs to be. However, Sunday's 4.
30pm kick off on a bank holiday weekend is the stuff dreams are made of and many will be planning to get out early and make a day of it. There's no greater chamber than the pubs of L4 to get into the spirit of the new season and put the world to rights about what can be expected from the first season. How do you think the new head coach has settled in so far? Can the squad mount a title challenge this season? Will Liverpool ever make another signing? Fortunately the surrounding areas around the ground are blessed with many watering holes that provide the perfect way to get your matchday started in style.
I have been a season ticket holder at Anfield my whole life, but my journey towards L4 changed last year when I made the move from Walton to Dingle . Rather than travel up County and Walton Road up to the ground, my journey now begins with a train ride from Brunswick to Sandhills station. An awkward 12.
30pm kick off time would usually result in a hurried rush to catch the soccer bus before a light jog to entrance at the Kop to make the start of the game. However, tomorrow is different. Tomorrow is the sort of game when you catch a game around midday and make a leisurely walk to the pub to get the matchday started off in the right way.
The first pub I encounter on the ascent up to Anfield is be The Phoenix Pub, the perfect place to enjoy that lovely first pint before the Reds kick off. The Phoenix Located on the on the corner of Foley Street and Kearsley Street in Kirkdale , The Phoenix lay in wait as a derelict building before it was been transformed into a ‘luxury’ hotel in the heart of north Liverpool. The 19th century building has been restored to its former glory and boasts a cosy bar area that is a great place to enjoy a pint.
You can't miss the Phoenix on the walk to Anfield from Sandhills as it also features a great outdoor seating area that would be perfect for an early Bank Holiday Sunday pint. As ever in the UK, the weather is doing its damned best to sour the occasion with light showers forecast in the early afternoon. However, you don't have to worry about that as the covered seating area means you don't have to think about the rain.
There are also many screens around the pub and outside so you can catch the early kick off. The New Halfway House A Bank Holiday means you can take the scenic route so there's no need to go rushing up the hills of Walton Lane on the ascent to Anfield. Instead, take a left turn on Walton Road to head towards a pub that is bound to be bouncing with Liverpool FC fans ahead of the game.
The pub is a Walton Road institution and I can't remember a time going the the game when the Halfway House wasn't an option to enjoy a pre or post-match pint. This classic pub is popular with matchday regulars and it was after memorable Reds win against Roma in the 2018 Champions League semi final when I caught Jamie Webster gracing the stage before the musician skyrocketed to fame. The Glenbuck It's never nice walking out the Halfway House to greeted by the steep hill of Walton Breck Road.
But the journey is all worth it when you know what delights await at the end. Standing tall on the corner of Robson Street is the Glenbuck Hotel. The pub is now named in honour of the legendary Bill Shankly's hometown so it's no surprise that's it's always rammed with Liverpool fans before a match.
The pub has massive interior, comprising two rooms connected by a big bar. There's always plenty of staff working so you don't have to wait too long to get a pint. King Harry Walking in a straight line after leaving The Glenbuck would take you straight to the Kop and into the ground.
But there's much more left to explore and it is a Bank Holiday after all. Instead you can take a left towards Anfield road and one of the most famous pubs for Liverpool supporters: The King Harry. The pub is one of the most famous around the ground and is adorned with flags and memorabilia commemorating the Reds' rich history.
There's also Liverpool songs being played to really get you into the spirit of the matchday atmosphere as kick off awaits. Taggy's Bar Continuing the walk down Anfield Road will take you to a bar that has exploded in popularity over recent years. Taggy's Bar is decked out with LFC memorabilia, including an old turnstile by the bar, and the walls are adorned with ECHO cuttings of some of the Reds' historic moments.
However, the bar's best asset is its large beer garden, which houses a huge 1.5 tonne smoker. There is often a live musician on stage playing favourite songs from the Reds catalogue to get fans in the mood for the match.
The Twelfth Man Kick off is surely soon awaiting, but there's time for one more stop on the way back to the Kop. The Twelfth Man on Walton Breck Road has become one of my favourite matchday pubs in Anfield over the last few years. The pub is always jam packed with supporters, with many standing outside to enjoy their pints, and you always feel as though you are in the thick of the matchday atmosphere.
Although it's always rammed you're never waiting too long to get served as the bar staff will always make sure it isn't too long before you get your pint. A drink in the Twelfth Man is the perfect preparation for the main event as kick off will soon be approaching and it's time to make the short walk to Anfield. This is just my route into the ground based on coming from Sandhills, but it doesn't even scratch the surface with the amount of great pubs around.
Continuing the walk past Anfield will take you to the birthplace of Liverpool FC with the Sandon. The Arkles and the Church are other notable pubs in this directions. Fortunately for me, there's always after the game and these could be perfect for post match pints pubs when I would be hopefully toasting a Liverpool win.
I just need to remember to at least get a pie from Homebaked at some point to line the stomach during a pub crawl that dreams are made of..
