Mutiny at Anfield: Languishing Liverpool lose supporters, then points

Richard Jolly writes of the walkout at Anfield on Saturday, followed promptly by a collapse on the pitch as Liverpool surrendered to a 2-2 draw with Sunderland.

Liverpool fans hold a banner as they protest against ticket prices at Anfield on Saturday during the team's Premier League match against Sunderland. Lindsey Parnaby / AFP / February 6, 2016

Liverpool 2 Sunderland 2

LIVERPOOL // Languishing in his hospital bed, recovering after successful surgery to remove his appendix, Jurgen Klopp missed Sunderland's comeback. So did many Liverpool supporters. Perhaps 6,000, probably 8,000.

They had seen their side take a two-goal lead and then taken their leave. Not in attempts to beat the traffic. This was principle, not pragmatism. It was protest, rather than the praise often heard here.

There are times when choruses engulf Anfield. Great players are serenaded, their beloved team is celebrated. This was different. There were rumblings in the rafters. A chant began. “Enough is enough.”

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It was a campaign where they backed up their words with action. There were 13 minutes remaining when, united in protest at rising ticket prices, they headed for the exits. Organised by two influential fans’ groups, Spirit of Shankly and Spion Kop 1906, they produced the first mass walkout ever documented at a ground first used in 1884. Some, as they departed, directed offensive signs at the directors’ box.

For the first time, a season ticket at Anfield could cost more than £1,000 (Dh5,320) next year. The most expensive seats will go for £77. There was a sea of black flags. One banner directed at owners Fenway Sports Group read: “FSG: Fleecing Supporters Guaranteed”. Another proclaimed: “Football without fans is nothing.”

The mutiny brooked no complaint from the coaching staff.

“We have one of the best groups of supporters in the world so if they want to make a statement, they have the right to,” said first-team coach Pep Lijnders. He complained more about the result. “Normally the scoreboard doesn’t lie,” Lijnders added. “I think today it did.”

For long periods, 0-0 seemed the more probable outcome. For large swathes, there was too little entertainment, especially at the start, where the medical bulletins occupied more of the attention.

Injuries have been a constant at Anfield this season. Dejan Lovren and Joe Allen departed before the break, but the players are not the only ones sidelined.

Klopp was rushed to hospital and underwent an operation to remove his appendix. It prompted quips that he has had problems with his side for four months.

Zeljko Buvac, the German’s long-term assistant, was in charge on the touchline, though Klopp may return for Tuesday’s FA Cup tie at West Ham.

A Klopp favourite, Adam Lallana, brought brightness. Alberto Moreno attacked with verve from left-back. He had two opportunities, both fashioned by Lallana, and drew a fine stop from Vito Mannone with the first.

But highlights were few and far between until Roberto Firmino delivered Liverpool’s first goal in 359 minutes. The two-footed Brazilian had twice unleashed fierce efforts from distance. Both narrowly missed the target. He hit it from altogether closer range. James Milner whipped in a superb cross. Firmino headed in his fifth goal in six games.

Mannone made a double save to thwart Lallana and Jordon Ibe but he only delayed the second goal by a matter of minutes. Firmino picked Billy Jones’ pocket, put his foot down with a surge of speed and then centred to leave Lallana with a tap in.

That should have been that, but Liverpool have a careless streak and Sunderland have spirit. Sam Allardyce is reshaping his side and fielded four January signings, but introducing a more familiar face had a greater short-term impact. Substitute Adam Johnson halved the deficit with a free kick that squirmed under a culpable Simon Mignolet.

Then Wahbi Khazri, one of the new additions, teed up Jermain Defoe, whose 89th-minute equaliser was taken clinically.

“He could be our saviour,” said manager Sam Allardyce, given added hope of avoiding relegation when Anfield was emptying.

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