Fanzone: Live From Anfield… As A Reporter!

Recently I had the absolutely amazing opportunity of going along to the Liverpool vs Sparta Prague 2nd leg fixture in the Europa League at Anfield. And what an amazing night it was! I was pretty taken aback when I collected my Press Pass at Anfield and made my way to the Press lounge…through the glass doors where the Directors and other VIPs go. It really was something else!

On entering the press lounge, I collected the team sheet and a complimentary match programme, had a quick scan of it and made my way up to the press area in the Main Stand. After taking my seat, and setting up my laptop, I had a good look around me…WOW I thought! What a brilliant view of the ground! Seated in the centre of the Main Stand with a perfect view of everything…I was loving it!

As kick-off approached and the ground began to fill to capacity I sat there taking in that special atmosphere only created on European nights at Anfield. The Kop were in fine voice as usual, and so where the travelling Sparta support who happily bounced and sang the entire way through the game.

With the singing of the legendary You’ll Never Walk Alone finished, I knew this was it! I was going to have to keep my eyes peeled for EVERYTHING! I didn’t want to miss any important details for my match report. Although I have to say I was really glad to have a little monitor beside me to check back on a few instances.

As the game progressed into the 84th minute I began typing as if the game was heading to extra time…then there it was! Dirk Kuyt popped up and scored. For probably the first time in my life…I didn’t celebrate! I couldn’t! I was too busy deleting and then writing about how the goal was scored! It really was a strange feeling! Obviously I was delighted and screaming with joy on the inside but I had to keep my focus, and was praying to myself that Sparta didn’t get a late equaliser, otherwise my report would have been ruined. As the final whistle sounded, I breathed a huge sigh of relief and began to pack up my things.

Next up, was the home team players mixed zone, something which I was nervous about but also really excited. I was told by my lecturer to have ‘Ice in my veins, not stars in my eyes!’ Which I repeated to myself on several occasions, because I knew being so close to the Liverpool players in an intimate environment like the press room was a HUGE thing for me! As the players walked out, at varying intervals and some stopped to have a few words and answer questions obviously, something hit me…the were REAL people! Know I don’t mean that as in human, I mean they were just regular people who happen to be famous footballers for their job.

Kuyt stopped to talk and as did Reina so I got recordings of those interviews on my dictaphone, and I will NEVER delete them.

Although I didn’t get to the chance to ask any questions myself because there were a lot of other journalists there, I felt great about having been able to be there and experience it. One other thing I did notice from the night is that height is an advantage if your a journalist! I’m quite small and was wearing flat shoes and I felt tiny beside some of the other journalists! lol But regardless I made my way to the front to get my dictaphone in there for the interview!

It truly was an unforgettable experience and one which I will NEVER forget!!!

Have a little read of my match report here: