ClubAnfield update following new safety searches

The club continues to ask match-going fans to arrive at Anfield turnstiles 10 minutes earlier than their normal matchday routine to help with this new safety and security entry process.

The process is constantly under review to make further improvements as the club understands the changes have impacted the matchday experience for some fans.

With supporter safety paramount, the club will continue to work in partnership with Merseyside Police and other agencies to safeguard all fans at Anfield.

Why have increased safety checks been introduced?

First and foremost, we care about supporters’ safety and we always want to follow best practice across all our matchday operations.

Before making this important change, the club considered current national guidance, recent intelligence trends and emerging risks across major sporting venues. It was not a decision that was taken lightly.

The advice is clear: search regimes must be robust enough to deter, detect and prevent a wide range of threats.

Following the Manchester Arena attack, and the passing of Martyn’s Law, all venues are required to have in place effective plans and policies to keep the public safe at events.

The legislation is expected to be enforced across the next 12 to 18 months and the change in search policy at Anfield ensures we will be fully compliant and ahead of the enforcement.

Ultimately, it is the club’s responsibility to ensure the matchday search operation meets the specific risks associated with the stadium footprint, crowds and matchday environment.

Why have there been issues with longer-than-normal queues?

Like any new process that the club introduces, there can be teething problems, and for operational changes it can often be due, in the main, to a mix of resources and supporter familiarisation as the new process beds in.

There were very similar challenges with the introduction of NFC digital tickets for the 2021-22 season and the return of football after the pandemic. The club was able to work with all concerned to overcome those teething issues and is confident the same can be achieved in this scenario too.

There have been lessons learnt from each matchday as crowd profiles and dynamics change dependent upon days of the week, the competition and kick-off times.

For example, at the Premier League home game against Leeds United, 99.45 per cent of supporters were in for kick-off, the highest number since digital ticketing was introduced.

But this was not replicated at the Burnley match, with 92 per cent of fans in for kick-off, which understandably caused some frustration.

What improvements are being made?

The club constantly evaluates and monitors each match alongside receiving feedback from various independent observers, and uses those learnings to update and develop processes as part of this change.

As a result of that feedback, changes have been made to queue management plans and for Wednesday night’s Champions League meeting with Qarabag (8pm GMT kick-off), supporters will notice a new system in place outside the Main Stand.

Following the arrival of both team coaches, access to the Main Stand podium will be restricted to those using the entrances on the podium, with designated stairways allocated for different turnstiles.

Fans making their way to T turnstiles will only be able to enter the podium steps at the Anfield Road end, next to S turnstiles. Supporters entering via V turnstiles will only be able to access the podium steps by Paisley Square, next to W turnstiles. And those fans entering through the Main Stand reception will only be able to access via the central podium steps, situated on 97 Avenue.

Stewards will be on hand to provide guidance and their presence is continually reviewed throughout matchdays, and particularly at known pinch points, to help make improvements.

The club also continues to trial new scanner technology in parts of the ground and will monitor its value in helping enhance the search experience for fans.

How can supporters help?

The club thanks all supporters who have made changes to their matchday routine in order to help everyone adapt to the new matchday safety and security entry process.

The aim of this change is simple; to keep everyone who attends Anfield as safe as possible.

If everyone tweaks their matchday routine and arrives at turnstiles 10 minutes earlier than they did before this change was introduced, then waiting times will be reduced and supporters will gain entry quicker.

The club understands many supporters have a regular pre-match routine, but this small adjustment will make a lot of difference towards getting fans into the ground for kick-off.

As a reminder, turnstiles at Anfield open two hours before kick-off for general admission and three hours for hospitality, allowing enough time for the necessary checks before entry.

Fans can also help the process by getting ready to be searched by removing any keys or mobile phones from their pockets before they reach the turnstiles, as this will help speed things up.

How can fans provide feedback?

The club appreciates everyone’s support and welcomes constructive feedback as this will genuinely help improve the overall operation.

It has met with members of Spirit of Shankly and discussed in detail the matchday changes and continues to work with them and Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association to review the process for further efficiencies, with the priority being to keep fans safe.

Supporters can contact the club direct via supporter services to provide feedback or make their views known to our official Supporters Board, with all details available on the club website.

Thank you for your continued support.