Every season, thousands of supporters come to Liverpool for the football and see almost nothing of the city. Train in, taxi to the ground, taxi back, train home. That is a shame, because a matchday here can be one of the best days out in the country if you plan it properly. This is our local’s guide for visiting fans, whichever colours you wear.
Arrive early, seriously
The single best piece of advice we can give is to come in on an earlier train than you think you need. Lime Street sits right in the middle of town, and from there almost everything worth seeing is walkable. Getting to the ground is the easy part; the time you should protect is the three or four hours before kick-off.
Traffic on matchdays is heavy, buses fill up and taxis get scarce around the final hour. If you leave it late, you will spend the build-up in a queue rather than enjoying it. Check the latest travel advice from the clubs and Merseytravel before you set off, as routes and shuttle services can change from season to season.
Where to eat before the game
You do not have to settle for a pie from a van, though there is no shame in that either. Bold Street, running up from Central station, is lined with independent cafes and restaurants covering just about every cuisine you can think of. It is the closest thing the city has to a food hall that stretches for a quarter of a mile.
The Baltic Triangle, a short walk south of the centre, is the place for street food, converted warehouses and long communal tables. On a Saturday it is busy, loud and good fun, and you will find fans of every club mixing without any trouble. If you want something more traditional, the streets around Hope Street and the Georgian Quarter have proper pubs with proper food.
A few sights that fit before kick-off
- The waterfront. A walk along the river past the Royal Albert Dock and the Pier Head takes under an hour and gives you the classic view of the city.
- The two cathedrals. One at each end of Hope Street, very different in style, both free to walk around.
- The Cavern Quarter. Touristy, yes, but Mathew Street is part of the city’s story and worth a wander if you have never been.
- St George’s Plateau. Right outside Lime Street, and the backdrop to plenty of the city’s big moments, happy and sad.
Getting to the grounds
For Anfield, buses run regularly from the city centre and the walk up from the bus stops through the terraced streets is part of the experience. Allow longer than the journey planner tells you. Many people also walk the whole way from town; it is a couple of miles uphill but gives you a feel for the north end.
Everton’s stadium on the waterfront at Bramley-Moore Dock is within walking distance of the city centre, roughly along the line of the river. On a dry day, walking there is the obvious choice. On a wet one, wrap up, because the wind off the Mersey has a habit of finding its way through any coat you own.
After the final whistle
Do not rush for the first train home. Stations are busiest in the hour after the game, and the town centre pubs will be full of fans picking over the result. If you have a later ticket, head back into town, find a seat and let the crowds thin out. Many of the best conversations we have had with away fans have been over a pint long after the match finished.
Liverpool has a reputation for being friendly to visitors, and it is mostly deserved. Be decent, take the banter in good spirit, and you will be treated the same way. Keep colours sensible in the busiest pubs near the grounds, as many are home fans only on matchdays, and follow any steward or police advice on routes.
A quick checklist
- Book trains early; matchday fares and late services fill up fast.
- Check your ticket for the correct turnstile and entry time.
- Bring a waterproof, whatever the forecast says.
- Carry a card and a bit of cash; most places take card, a few still prefer cash.
- Leave time for the city as well as the football.