joey barton
Disgraced former Manchester City and Everton midfielder Joey Barton caused a huge stir when he named the four Premier League stadiums with the worst atmospheres.
In ordinary circumstances, former footballers are usually asked to name the best of something rather than the worst. However, such is Barton's outspoken nature - particularly recently, having come under fire for many of the comments he has made on his podcast about certain footballers and pundits - that the opportunity was there to get another juicy hot take from him.
As expected, the 43-year-old, one of the most controversial players in football history, delivered. All four of his picks are clubs within the traditional 'big six', with his most eye-opening criticism landing at Liverpool's doorstep.
Joey Barton Names Anfield Among 4 Worst Premier League Atmospheres
Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
In a live radio segment, Barton was asked to name the best and worst atmospheres in the Premier League back in 2018. He singled out Crystal Palace as a surprise pick for some of the best fans - just as Paul Scholes recently had, too.
However, he seemed more eager to rip into the bigger clubs, whose supporters don't match their favourite teams' success. On Liverpool, he said:
He goes on to say that Old Trafford is"‘full of tourists" despite also conceding that Manchester United’s away support is probably the best in the country. Watch the full segment below:
Premier League Best Atmospheres
Premier League Best Atmospheres
Barton also claimed that the Etihad Stadium lacks atmosphere and that Arsenal's Emirates Stadium “is like a library at times”, while doubling down on the popular opinion that West Ham fans - now dwelling in the Championship - have struggled since leaving Upton Park for the London Stadium.
Anfield The Subject Of Huge Praise by Football Legends
Anfield
Anfield
Rivals of Liverpool love to suggest that the club's atmosphere is merely a myth. But plenty of former managers and players without a bias have debunked that suggestion over the years.
While Jose Mourinho was full of praise for the travelling Reds during the 2019 Champions League final, being left wowed alongside Arsene Wenger, it wasn't the first time he had waxed lyrical, as he also once said: "If Stamford Bridge can give us even 25% of the emotion Anfield gives Liverpool, I think we can do it."
Cristiano Ronaldo named Anfield as the "most intimidating Premier League stadium" he had ever visited, Pep Guardiola once claimed "you'll find an atmosphere at Anfield that you'll find nowhere else in the world", proving it still holds a special place in the hearts of so many within the beautiful game, and not just the Reds.
Sir Alex Ferguson, Diego Maradona, and Xavi are among a litany of other football megastars that have laid praise on the Liverpool fans, proving that "This is Anfield" is not just a marketing spin, but it means so much more, as they often suck the ball into the back of the net.