Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji made his Anfield debut last week, however had to face a 1-0 defeat. Mohamed Salah’s late goal proved to be the difference as an out-of-form Liverpool shocked red-hot City who were enjoying Erling Haaland’s exploits with the striker entering the fixture having scored a staggering 15 goals in 10 league games. However, the summer recruit was contained brilliantly by the Liverpool defense, with Joe Gomez being their standout performer.
But despite the loss, Akanji has now revealed that he didn’t quite feel the ‘Anfield atmosphere’ as he had heard of. Anfield has been named as the toughest away turf to play at by many of the visiting teams, with no one better than Spanish giants FC Barcelona to tell. The Catalans had took a 4-0 hammering at Anfield against the Reds, who overturned a 3-0 deficit from the previous leg in the Champions League semi-finals during the 2018-19 season.
Manuel Akanji labels Anfield atmosphere ‘quiet’
Liverpool have endured a very tough start to their season, having won just 4 of their 10 league games so far. While 3 of those have come at Anfield, the Reds have also failed to win the other 2 home games, drawing against both Crystal Palace and Brighton. However, it still remains their fortress as they have lost just six league games at home in past 5 years, a record not bettered by any club across the Europe’s top-five leagues.
The atmosphere at Anfield has been lauded as well for the club’s success apart from the scintillating football they have been playing. But Manuel Akanji seems to be an exception who wasn’t moved by Liverpool’s home turf. While City may have not won there since the 2020/21 season, the Swiss center-back didn’t feel the pressure as it was described by many while playing there. Akanji told Daily Mail:
“It’s funny that you ask [about the Anfield atmosphere]. Because before the game, when we walked into the stadium for our warm-up, it was so quiet. No booing or anything. I told Erling [Haaland] I thought it was weird. I expected it would be really crowded and the mood against us. But I felt nothing at all.
“We came back in before the game and I talked to Riyad Mahrez as well. He was sitting right next to me. I was like, ‘Is it always like this here? Everybody talks so highly of Anfield and I don’t really see it’. He just told me to wait until the game started and then when it did I was like a different atmosphere completely. Particularly in the second half when our goal was disallowed and they scored. It was really, really loud then.
“Not as loud as Dortmund. How many are there at Anfield? 50,000? There are 81,000 at Dortmund so maybe it’s not fair to compare. But it is a great feeling at Anfield. The people are really close to the pitch and it was a great atmosphere for them and I like to play in that. I just hate the fact we lost because we shouldn’t have lost it and also because of the way the goals went.”
Manuel Akanji was a surprise signing by City this summer, as he became their second acquisition from Borussia Dortmund after Erling Haaland. The two teammates from Dortmund have put on some defying displays at City, taking Pep Guardiola’s team to a whole new level. Akanji, with the help of his absolute versatility has been deployed as a right-back as well alongside his natural position of center-half. He will now be looking to help his side bounce back from the Liverpool defeat against Brighton in their next game.