Liverpool supporters group ‘Spirit of Shankly’ says it has ‘no complaints’ over Jurgen Klopp’s criticism of lack of atmosphere at Anfield, while pointing finger at cost of youth tickets supporters who want to go to the stadium. The Reds coach complained this week about the atmosphere at Anfield against West Ham in the League Cup (5-1). Calling for active support from the stands for the reception of the leader Arsenal on Saturday in the Premier League, Klopp added: “If there is too much football in December, if you are not fit, give your ticket to someone ‘other. »
The ‘Spirit of Shankly’ also say they are concerned about the flagging passion at Anfield and say they have started discussions with the club to remedy the situation. “We have nothing against Jürgen Klopp emphasizing the problems linked to the atmosphere at Anfield, or the lack of atmosphere, at certain times,” the group said in a statement released Friday.
“Lack of opportunities for young supporters to go to matches”
The group of supporters, whose name is a tribute to Bill Shankly, historic coach of the club in the 1960s and early 1970s, insists on the importance of the special atmosphere which reigns in the Reds’ lair. “It is no coincidence that opposing teams, coaches and other supporters talk about the ‘Anfield effect’,” they point out. “We all know how much our spectators can intimidate visiting teams, how the atmosphere can be second to none. »
One of the reasons for the current situation is, they explain, the club’s pricing policy. With these “out of reach ticket prices”, the stadium audience is changing, with more seats reserved by companies at the expense of young fans who can no longer afford to go to the stadium. “We are also concerned about the lack of opportunities for young supporters to go to the match, to catch the virus and thus preserve this culture of the Kop which has existed for decades”, add the hosts of the Spirit of Shankly, whose concerns are shared by a number of supporters’ associations in the Premier League and elsewhere.