“Liverpool aren’t fun to watch” – Journalist criticises club for ticket price increase | OneFootball

Liverpool Ticket Price Rise Sparks Concern Amid Mohamed Salah Exit Talk

On the latest Media Matters episode from Anfield Index, the conversation between Dave Davis and Lewis Steele shifted sharply towards a controversial issue, Liverpool’s decision to increase ticket prices.

Steele did not hold back when assessing the timing and wider impact. He referenced fan reaction and broader sentiment, stating that football is “starting to price fans out of it.” That remark cuts to the core of the issue, particularly for Liverpool supporters already dealing with uncertainty on and off the pitch.

The frustration is not isolated. Steele highlighted how matchgoing culture has changed, saying, “it feels different to how it did ten years ago… there’s more tourists,” before adding that clubs increasingly prefer fans who “spend three hundred quid in the club shop” over traditional supporters.

Timing criticised during turbulent period

The discussion made clear that the decision has landed badly because of context. Liverpool are navigating a period of uncertainty, including the confirmed departure of Mohamed Salah, yet ticket prices are still rising.

Steele was explicit about the optics, saying, “it’s timed badly putting those tickets up.” He expanded on that point by contrasting current performances with expectations, noting, “Liverpool aren’t fun to watch this season.”

That combination of higher costs and lower satisfaction has amplified fan dissatisfaction. As Steele put it, “why would they pay their money to go and watch that crap every week?” It is a blunt assessment, but one that reflects the mood among sections of the fanbase.

Value for money debate intensifies

The podcast also explored the financial justification behind the increase. Steele acknowledged the club’s likely reasoning but challenged its validity, referencing a widely discussed point: “if they had gone up in line with inflation from the nineties, then the average ticket price should be around eighteen quid or something.”

This perspective reframes the narrative. While clubs often cite rising operational costs, supporters increasingly question whether those increases are proportionate or fair.

Steele added that the matchday experience no longer aligns with the financial outlay for many fans. “These fans are grafting all week long and they spend the weekend going to watch Liverpool and they’re not being entertained,” he said, emphasising the emotional and financial investment supporters make.

Photo: IMAGO

Wider implications for Liverpool identity

Beyond the immediate backlash, the discussion touched on deeper concerns about identity and connection. Steele suggested modern football economics are reshaping who attends games and why.

He explained that clubs may prioritise short-term commercial gain, saying they would “rather someone come over for one game and spend three hundred quid… than someone who’s getting there at ten to three, maybe having one pint and going home.”

For a club like Liverpool, with a strong heritage of local support, this shift raises important questions. The sense of disconnect between supporters and decision-makers appears to be growing.

Pressure builds on club leadership

Davis reinforced the broader concern, describing the situation as “tone deaf and just out of touch completely,” particularly given the uncertainty around players, management and recruitment.

That uncertainty only magnifies the impact of the ticket price rise. With fans already questioning the club’s direction, decisions like this risk further eroding trust.

Ultimately, the Media Matters discussion paints a clear picture. Liverpool’s ticket price increase is not just about money. It reflects wider tensions between modern football business models and traditional fan expectations, tensions that are becoming harder to ignore.