Liverpool and a trip to Anfield...

I've always wanted to go watch Liverpool play and coming to Glasgow seemed to be a good opportunity as it isn't that far away. However, I've been putting it off due to not being able to get tickets, the train tickets being too expensive and having no one to go with...but this time I didn't want to wait anymore, especially after I visited the Nou Camp in Barcelona. I decided to go by myself cuz I could only get 1 ticket as that was the limit and it being my first time, I didn't want to drag someone else around if I got lost (which I did). As is required for a good trip, a plan was needed and I thought I had everything worked out..Here's how it went...

Step 1: Took the 7.35am train from Glasgow Central to Preston before switching trains to go to Liverpool Lime Street, getting in at about 11+am.
[What actually happened: Managed to get up on time and caught the train to Preston but missed my connecting train. Had to jump onto the train bound for Manchester Picadilly and then change to the train to Liverpool Lime Street.]

Step 2: Walk to Anfield from Liverpool Lime Street station which was abt 2miles (abt 3.2km!).
[What actually happened: I exited from the right exit but got my directions slightly mixed up so I had to head back to the station and ended up walking one whole round around it. I took a cab in the end cuz I was in a rush...]

Step 3: Take a tour round Anfield then head over to Goodison Park (Everton's homeground) to fulfill a request.
[What actually happened: that was what actually happened =) I was a bit worried I wouldn't know where the other stadium was cuz there were buildings all around Anfield blocking my view but I found it in the end.]

Step 4: Enjoy the game at Anfield.
[What actually happened: I didn't just enjoy it....I loved it!!]

Step 5: Find my way back to the train station and make sure I don't miss my train. The next one was a really sucky one with a long waiting time.
[What actually happened: Took a slightly earlier train so I had time to kill at Preston while waiting for the train back to Glasgow and that's me back safe and soundly...no problem at all.]

I'll let the pictures talk from here on out...

The official match ticket

Early saturday morning...my outfit for the day.
Starbucks breakfast...wanted to get Costa but there wasn't any mint hot chocolate.

The Reebok stadium..homeground of Liverpool's opponents for the day, Bolton.

The only reason I passed by this was becuz I missed my train...zzz.

Now that we're in Liverpool, this was me heading in the wrong direction.

Liverpool John Moore University...applied there but didn't get in.

Which I'm glad I didn't..it's funny how some things just work out.

Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral...not the famous Liverpool Cathedral unfortunately.

Goodison Park, Everton's homeground.

Everton's gift shop...

Dixie Dean, an Everton legend. (or so I'm told)

Everton FC...now that's enough of that..

On to the better half of merseyside.

The Shankly gates.

Memorial for the 96 who passed away at Hillsborough.

Front entrance to Anfield.

The Kop!!

Bill Shankly!

The entrance to the stadium and to my seat!

Was a tight squeeze...

Upon entering the stadium.

Brilliant weather for the game.

My seat!!

Haha, me with my new Liverpool scarf..

Jussi Jaaskelainen and Ali Al Habsi

(yes, I had to google their names)

Jussi warming up.

Really impressive stuff...his hands must hurt after hearing some of the saves.

The Bolton team warming up.

The Liverpool team warming up.

But they were waaaayyy ooovvverrrr there...sian.

Proof and evidence of a little narcissim.

The Kop beginning to fill up.

That's the centenary stand.

Reina in the far distance warming up.

Jussi again...

The substitutes warming up with a little game.

Maxi, Agger, Gulacsi, Pacheco, Darby, Lucas and Babel.

Before they start televising live..

Packed house.

The teams line up..

Customary handshake before the start of the game.

Reina in goal for the 1st half at our end.

The defence: Insua, Skrtel, Kyriakos and Carragher.

Action at the other end.

Masch and Carra.

Defending a throw-in.

End of the first half. Score 1-0 to Liverpool.

As the 2nd half gets underway...

...the action gets more heated.

Gerrard and Reira stand over the corner...

...which Gerrard swings in.

Attacking the corner from the opposite side.

A jersey I bought for Wei Jie (army buddy)

Dunno why he got one of the most difficult names to pronounce in football.

Assorted other stuff due to requests.

My scarf...u already saw it before but I wanted to show it again...haha.

Right, so that was my trip down to see Liverpool play...Haha...was mighty pleased to see them win 2-0 on the day. Would love to travel down again in the future but that would depend on a number of things. Uni's started up again so it's back to sch...loving it in my opinion...time's going to pass by much quicker this way...assignments and reports to look forward to..yawn! This time around...