Andy Cole has hailed the atmosphere at Anfield as ‘special’ in the build-up to the crunch meeting between Liverpool and his former club Manchester United on Sunday.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the former Old Trafford striker described the atmosphere as ‘the best you can play in front of’ and ‘special’, saying: “I loved playing at Anfield, I absolutely loved playing there, it’s just the atmosphere and you know how big a game it was. Just a special, special game.”
Cole had an enviable record on Merseyside for the Reds’ bitter foes, scoring four times in six trips with the Red Devils, as well as netting seven times across his spells with Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle.
Whilst every Liverpool and Manchester United fixture is of significance, Sunday afternoon’s encounter is of particular importance as the teams go into the meeting as the top two in the Premier League.
Not since the hay day of the Reds’ bitter rivals have the two been so close, with Jurgen Klopp’s side surpassing their greatest enemies comfortably for the last two seasons.
Unfortunately, there will be no atmosphere to speak of inside the famous stadium on Sunday as Liverpool look to extend their unbeaten home run and return to the top of the Premier League.
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There are no two ways about it – when required, Anfield can be an absolute cauldron of noise, which must intimidate those not willing to embrace it.
Clearly, Cole was able to enjoy the moment and flourish, whilst others – see Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals – just crumble.
