Matip champing at bit to experience Anfield atmosphere

Liverpool have been made to wait for their home comforts this season and new signing Joel Matip is champing at the bit to experience the famed Anfield atmosphere.

But with the main stand having been redeveloped the Reds do not have much longer to wait to take their home bow this season, and Matip is back from injury just in time.

The Cameroon international defender made his debut against Tottenham Hotspur in Liverpool’s last Premier League outing – a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane – and is hoping to be in Jurgen Klopp’s starting 11 to face champions Leicester on Saturday.

“I’ve been waiting the whole pre-season to make my first steps at the stadium,” he said.

“I think Liverpool is famous for its stadium, for its atmosphere. It will be a great atmosphere and I’ll be happy when I can play there.

“To hear ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ for the first time at the stadium will be a special moment and I will enjoy it.”

Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

With no European football on offer at Anfield this season he will have to wait a little longer to experience the big match atmosphere of a Champions or Europa League encounter under the lights, but the 25-year-old is already familiar with one Anfield tradition.

Klopp’s former side, Borussia Dortmund, have also adopted You’ll Never Walk Alone as one of their anthems and Matip encountered it while playing against them for Schalke 04.

“You can compare them a little bit to Liverpool but it’s not the same,” he added.

“Dortmund, sometimes they sing, but they’re not really famous for this, Liverpool is famous for this song and the atmosphere at the stadium. It will be something else.

“It’s a nice song and with the atmosphere, it will be good to hear.”