The decision to go was easy. Complementary tickets to Anfield. A 3.5 hour train ride. Easy. What made it easier was the copious amount of research Shawn did for acquiring economically priced train tickets and let us score that premium hotel room. Props to the interwebs.
So here is a list of memories of the match and our 15 hours in Liverpool:
Our tickets were in the away section -- with Newcastle. Here are some memories of this match:
1. 3 - 1 Liverpool. With three goals at our end. Bellamy, Gerrard, and Ba.
2. Kid in front of us - very animated 'Toon - got thrown down by a guard and tossed out.... only later to return
and be reminded that he owed the guard to let him return some money.
3. No beer sold to Newcastle away ticket holders. Quarantined. Under the suspicious eyes of LFC security
Shawn drinks a cup of tea. Apparently the reputation of the Toon Army precedes them and alcohol is not
served. At least this is what we are told by the kid running the concession stand. 12 security guards block
the paths leading to Liverpool fans preventing Scouser and Geordie cohabitation. Funny how such
conditions and LFC prohibition makes you want to drink.
4. Our seats in Toon Army were half way up the section, right next to the divider separating Toons and Reds.
5. When Liverpool scored every single person in the stadium stood up at the same time. No delayed
reactions. No one focused on anything but the match.
6. It is true.... Liverpool fans only sing when they are winning. Seriously. It was a little disappointing.
7. The song: "You couldn't score in a brothel" is transatlantic... of course we Yanks usually swap 'whore
house' for 'brothel' but the sentiment is the same I think.
8. Toons Army stood and sane all match long. Impressive work.
9. Football news was in the newspaper. And by football I mean soccer or association football. And all over
the news paper. Like whole sections. About all aspects of the game. ahhhhh..... :)
10. Liverpool, the city, well that what we saw, had a cool vibe. We both found it comfortable.
11. Match time weather? Windy, rainy, and cold. Thankfully we were under a roofed part. But still... the
need for heavy duty SmartWool socks will be a must for next time. This Carolina-sufficient medium
strength warmth didn't cut it.
12. Toons Army sat at halftime. Reds stood at half.
13. Young crowd of visiting fans. And let's say a passionate crowd. I now want to go to St James Park or
whatever they are horribly calling it now.
14. Next morning - Landon Donovan spread in the Liverpool edition of the Star. Yes we are bringing it home
with us.
15. Pub pre-match - The Park.... Cold Guinness in plastic cups. It was tragic.
16. Proper food court outside of Anfield (food trucks): coffee, booze, fish, burgers, chips. Very friendly
folks.
17. After match I had an Old Habit at The Vernon Arms. Delicious and chill atmosphere. Nice crown-
molding -- yep I said it. I didn't notice, but Shawn did so I thought I throw it in here.
18. Late night grub in Liverpool? Donner and pizza :)
19. Interesting to be in the visitor's section as a neutral -- well with a preference -- but not a real alliance. It
was hard not to celebrate a quality goal when Gerrard put it in.
20. Gerrard is key to that team. They came alive when he was subbed in. Amazing talent even when taking
it cautious on the pitch.
21. Note to self... I could never sit in the visitor's section at the Cottage. No way. C'mon Fulham!
Amazing! I'm so jealous! I wish I was there with you all! I watched this match with mom and dad at Hooligans in Charlotte with a tasty Old Speckled Hen!
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