What is Operation Anfield Exercise? Liverpool vs Leeds announcement explained

Fans watching Liverpool's game against Leeds will have heard the stadium announcements for Operation Anfield Exercise during the game, what exactly does that mean?

An announcement for Operation Anfield Exercise was made during Liverpool's game against Leeds(Image: Getty Images)

Any Liverpool fan who has been to a game at Anfield or watched on television will have no doubt heard the tannoy system announcing the commencement of Operation Anfield Exercise at some point over the years.

It got another airing during the early stages of the Reds' game against Leeds on New Year's Day, with an announcement made a few minutes after kick-off, before a further instruction was given to commence the operation, and a third and final one to announce it had been completed.

It's not the first time we've heard it, and fans both at Anfield and watching on TV will be familiar with it at this point. But what exactly does this announcement mean?

Simply put, Operation Anfield Exercise is a drill for the stewards, preparing them to respond to an emergency at a moment's notice. The announcement serves as a directive for the stewards to assume their correct positions.

Concurrently, turnstiles are checked to ensure they function properly so that fans can exit the stadium quickly and safely if necessary. This announcement is made at most home games each season as part of routine drills.

George Sephton, who worked as Anfield's iconic stadium announcer for over 50 years before retiring during the summer, gave more insight into the announcement during an interview with This Is Anfield back in 2021.

The announcement is often heard at Liverpool games(Image: Jose Breton/NurPhoto)

“Operation Anfield is what would happen if there was a catastrophe going on and we needed to empty the stadium," Sephton explained.

“If there was a terrorist bomb threat, a major fire or an explosion in the kitchens, whatever – if we had to operate Operation Anfield, everybody would be out of the stadium in two or three minutes.

“Operation Anfield Exercise means that we practice without actually moving anybody out of the stadium.

“When we do that, the stewards who are responsible for opening out gates would get to their gates, stand by, say they’re ready and everybody else involved in the possible evacuation of the stadium would be in the same place.

“After a couple of minutes, everybody’s in their place, so if they had to do it they would press go and all the gates would open.

“But obviously an exercise just means they’re practicing without actually letting it end up with people being turfed out of the stadium.

“It’s all for your safety, it’s done with the cooperation of the police but it’s run by our stewards, who incidentally like the team, are the best in the business.”

An original version of this article was first published on October 2, 2024.