Thousands of Liverpool fans famously walked out of Anfield in the 77th minute of a clash with Sunderland to protest against ticket prices and 10 years ago today, the club's owners FSG backed down
Neil Docking and Andy Kelly
14:45, 10 Feb 2026
John Henry and Tom Werner were forced into reversing their plans by angry Liverpool fans
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John Henry and Tom Werner were forced into reversing their plans by angry Liverpool fans(Image: MediaNews Group via Getty Images)
Thousands of Liverpool supporters once staged an unprecedented walkout at Anfield against rising ticket prices - forcing the club's owners Fenway Sports Group into reversing their plans and apologising.
The coordinated exodus of around 10,000 fans during a match against Sunderland on February 6, 2016, just months into the Jurgen Klopp era, began precisely on the 77th minute - a symbolic gesture chosen to express outrage over the American owners' controversial plans at the time to introduce £77 tickets for the following 2016/17 season.
The fans who voted with their feet a decade ago certainly showed their importance to the team, as without their support, the Reds surrendered a two goal lead and drew 2-2. Before making their exit, protesters belted out chants including "enough is enough" and "you greedy b*******", alongside a rousing rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone.
A Liverpool fan dressed as the Grim Reaper
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A Liverpool fan dressed as the Grim Reaper walks in front of the Kop in protest on the 77th minute(Image: Peter Powell)
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Roberto Firmino had headed the Reds in front, before Adam Lallana added a second. But without the 12th man in full voice, the Reds were pegged back by Adam Johnson and Jermain Defoe, reported the Liverpool Echo at the time. And the campaign fought by the Spion Kop and Spirit of Shankly fan groups - many of whom carried black flags and messages of defiance - sent a clear message to then Reds chief executive Ian Ayre and FSG's John Henry and co across the Atlantic in Boston.
Just four days later, on February 10, 2016, FSG issued an open letter to fans, making a U-turn and signalling a famous victory for the supporters who had got up out of their seats and made a difference. The letter, from club owners John Henry, Tom Werner and Mike Gordon, read as follows:
"It has been a tumultuous week. On behalf of everyone at Fenway Sports Group and Liverpool Football Club we would like to apologize for the distress caused by our ticket pricing plan for the 2016/17 season.
Liverpool fans on the Kop protest over ticket pricing by waving black flags
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Liverpool fans on the Kop protested over ticket pricing by waving black flags and unfurling anti-FSG banners(Image: Colin Lane )
"The three of us have been particularly troubled by the perception that we don’t care about our supporters, that we are greedy, and that we are attempting to extract personal profits at the club’s expense. Quite the opposite is true.
"From our first days as owners we have understood that serving as custodians of this incredible institution is a distinct privilege and as such, we have been driven solely by the desire to return LFC to the pinnacle of football.
"In the world of modern football, growing the club in a sustainable way is essential to realizing this objective. To that end, we have never taken a single penny out of the football club. Instead we have injected vast sums of our own money to improve the playing squad and modernize LFC’s infrastructure — exemplified by the £120 million advance from FSG to build the new Main Stand.
Liverpool Fans leave their seats in protest on the 77th minute to the highlight the new ticket prices at Anfield
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Liverpool fans streaming for the exits on the 77th minute in a ticket prices protest(Image: Peter Powell)
"This massive undertaking was made in order to provide more supporters access to Anfield and also to produce additional revenue to help us compete financially with clubs that have greater resources. When it opens in August this year the stand will accomplish those goals thereby fulfilling a promise we made upon acquiring LFC in 2010.
"We were strongly engaged in the process to develop the ticketing plan for 2016/2017. We met directly with representatives of LFC’s Supporters’ Committee and along with LFC management, wholeheartedly agreed with major concerns raised, notably: access for local and young supporters; engagement and access to Anfield for local children; access to Premier League matches for those in Liverpool most challenged by affordability.
"We believe the plan successfully addressed these concerns and are disappointed that these elements have been either lost or, worse, characterized as cynical attempts to mask profiteering in the plan as a whole. Rather, we prefer to look at them as the parts of the ticketing plan we got right. On the other hand, part of the ticketing plan we got wrong.
Fans hold up banners protesting against ticket prices at Anfield
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Fans hold up banners protesting against ticket prices at Anfield(Image: PA)
"In addition to the other elements of the plan we proposed price increases on a number of tickets. These pricing actions generated growth in General Admission ticketing revenue on a like for like basis exclusive of revenue from newly added GA seats.
"We believed by delivering a vastly improved seat offering in what will be the newest stand in English football, concentrating the price increases on those tickets typically purchased by fans least sensitive to affordability, and for LFC to begin repaying the £120million advance from FSG for the new Main Stand that these increases were supportable even in the context of growth in revenues from the new Premier League TV deal.
"However, the widespread opposition to this element of the plan has made it clear that we were mistaken. A great many of you have objected strongly to the £77 price level of our most expensive GA seats and expressed a clear expectation that the club should forego any increased revenue from raising prices on GA tickets in the current environment. Message received.
Liverpool v Sunderland
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The Kop end after fans walked out on 77 minutes in protest over ticket prices was a sorry sight(Image: PA)
"After an intense period of consultation with LFC management we have decided to make major revisions to our ticketing structure for 2016/17. Removal of game categorisation – regardless of the opposition fans will pay the same price for matchday tickets.
"The pricing of tickets will be readjusted to result in zero revenue growth from GA ticketing on a like for like basis. Though individual ticket prices may move marginally from this season, we are freezing our 2016/17 GA ticket revenue at the 2015/16 level exclusive of newly added seats in the new Main Stand.
"The price of our highest General Admission ticket will be frozen at the 2015/16 level - £59. The price of our highest Season Ticket will be frozen at the 2015/16 level - £869. The lowest price reducing a further £25 from the 2015/16 level to £685, as well as all other tiers being frozen or reduced. £9 GA seats will be offered for each and every Premier League match, an allocation of more than 10,000 tickets across the season."
Liverpool owners Tom Werner, Mike Gordon and John W Henry pose with the Premier League trophy at the end of last season
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Liverpool owners Tom Werner, Mike Gordon and John W Henry pose with the Premier League trophy at the end of last season
They added: "As a sign of our commitment to this improved ticketing structure, we are further announcing that this plan shall be in effect for both the 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons. For the next two seasons, LFC will not earn a single additional pound from increasing General Admission ticket prices.
"We believe we have demonstrated a willingness to listen carefully, reconsider our position, and act decisively. The unique and sacred relationship between Liverpool Football Club and its supporters has always been foremost in our minds. It represents the heartbeat of this extraordinary football club.
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"More than any other factor by far, that bond is what drives us to work tirelessly on behalf of the club and its future. We have great conviction in our world class manager and our young, talented squad and know that in time the on-pitch success we all crave will be realized. We look forward to sharing in that success with you."