There are times when the atmosphere inside Anfield is unlike anything else in English football.Liverpool supporters blasting out ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ before a big match is a sight that can give you goosebumps *and* make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.However, like other football grounds in the Premier League, has Anfield lost some of its passion in recent years?Joey Barton believes so.The Huyton-born midfielder, who grew up as an Everton supporter, made some very honest comments about Liverpool’s home support on talkSPORT this morning.
Barton gives his honest opinion about Liverpool fans
Barton believes that aside from the rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ before the match, you don’t hear a peep out of Liverpool’s fans unless their team scores a goal.
“Liverpool fans sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ at the start of the game and that’s pretty much it,” he said. “I’m telling you! Unless they score or they get up for the European nights.
“I went to Anfield - and I know the VAR contributed to it last time - but the game against West Brom *shakes his head*”
Video: Joey Barton on Liverpool fans
Watch the footage here…
Barton's comments have divided opinion
Now, as you can probably imagine, Barton’s comments about the atmosphere inside Anfield have divided opinion.
While Liverpool fans obviously reckon he’s talking complete nonsense, other football supporters think he makes a perfectly valid point.
Barton: Other big stadiums also lack atmosphere
However, it isn’t just the atmosphere at Anfield that Barton is critical of.
He says that Old Trafford is full of tourists - but conceded that Manchester United’s away support is probably the best in the country - the Etihad Stadium also lacks atmosphere, the Emirates Stadium “is like a library at times” and that West Ham are “struggling now” following their move from Upton Park.
Barton also believes that it will be interesting to see what the atmosphere inside Tottenham’s stadium will be like following their move from White Hart Lane.
Which PL clubs have a good atmosphere then, Joey?
So, what Premier League stadiums does he think boast a decent’ish atmosphere?
“I think [Crystal] Palace and the little small stadiums,” he added. “It’s once you start making these massive stadiums [that you lose the atmosphere].”
Is Joey Barton right about Liverpool’s home support and the atmosphere at Premier League matches in general? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below.