Features
Away days: Liverpool
Written by Rory Mitchinson
Continuing our guide to the stadia Newcastle will be visiting in the Premier League this term, we take a look at Anfield – home, of course, to boss Rafa Benítez’s former club…
Club: Liverpool
Stadium: Anfield
Capacity: 54,074
Distance from St. James’ Park: 173 miles
Previous Premier League visits: 22 (One win, four draws, 17 defeats)
Not since their first season as a top-flight club have United recorded a Premier League victory at Anfield, when Rob Lee and Andy Cole were on target for Kevin Keegan’s side. Since then, the Magpies have been beaten on 17 of their 21 visits, though they did edge a Fourth Round League Cup tie during the 1995/96 campaign – the same year as their infamous 4-3 defeat.
Despite dropping out of the Premier League the following month, Newcastle hit back to claim a point on their last visit to Anfield. Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana gave the Reds a healthy lead going into the break, but Papiss Cisse and Jack Colback struck to earn the Magpies a share of the spoils.
Since then, the redevelopment of Anfield’s Main Stand has been completed, increasing the ground’s capacity to more than 50,000. Not too long ago, the Reds had looked set to leave their home of more than 120 years, with planning permission granted for a new, 60,000-seater venue at Stanley Park. However, after a change of ownership, the club opted to stay put, with further expansion likely to take place at a later stage.