Liverpool need Fortress Anfield once again

The new Premier League season is well underway and Liverpool came away from Stamford Bridge last weekend unscathed. 

Saturday possesses a whole new challenge as Anfield awaits and that means expectation to entertain and succeed. The Reds faithful know what their team are capable of under Juergen Klopp, but the summer has seen an overhaul. 

Jordan Henderson and James Milner are no longer at the club. Neither are Brazilian duo Roberto Firmino and Fabinho. One thing needs to stay the same and that is that Anfield remains a fortress. 

You don’t win trophies if your home form isn’t brilliant. Teams have turned up at Anfield in recent seasons already beaten and that is what Klopp’s side need once again. 

Liverpool recently went on a 85-match unbeaten run at Anfield; a run that came to a crashing end by the hands of Leeds United in October 2022. The Reds remain without loss since that sobering defeat. 

In the Premier League table for home form last season, Liverpool finished fourth with just one defeat. Drawing five times harmed the Reds and those lost 10 would have pushed them into third place. 

Anfield is a magical place where footballing miracles can happen. Everyone in football knows this, especially opposing teams. Liverpool didn’t start last season in great form, but Manchester City came away from Anfield in October on the end of a 1-0 loss thanks to a special Mohamed Salah moment. 

While chasing the title, Arsenal surged into a 2-0 lead and three points looked inevitable and then Granit Xhaka did a Granit Xhaka. A little kick out at Trent Alexander-Arnold led to a coming together - the Anfield crowd reacted. 

The Gunners paid the price as Firmino levelled proceedings late on to derail Arsenal’s title charge. Don’t get the Anfield crowd going, big mistake. 

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Last season's most memorable game came on Merseyside when bitter rivals Manchester United came to visit. They soon left with their tails between their legs thanks to a 7-0 humiliation. 

The United win was even shocking for Anfield’s standards, but it’s just another memorable, miraculous moment to add to the long list. 

This season, will be no different. More memories will be made as Liverpool enter a new phase under Klopp in front of their adoring fans. 

Virgil van Dijk is now captain with Alexander-Arnold as his deputy. They are ready to entertain and thrill their expectant crowd. 

Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai cannot wait. They have been dreaming of pulling on the famous red shirt with the home crowd cheering them on. Saturday will see their dreams come true. 

There will be reduced capacity inside Anfield thanks to the delay of the opening of the Anfield Road stand. The lower tier of the new look stand will be open, but the upper tier will have to wait. 

Those inside will need to make extra noise as they cheer their team on. 61,000 loving Reds will soon be inside giving Liverpool an even bigger boost. 

Bournemouth will not be easy, no game in the Premier League is. That’s what makes it the best league in the world. The Cherries will fight for their lives, they want to remain the top flight. 

Liverpool have hopes and dreams for this season and home form needs to be almost perfect to achieve them.