Robben Rates Anfield As His

By Max Wise

Arjen Robben has revealed his dislike for Anfield as he describes the Liverpool home grounds as the worst venue he has ever played in his career.

Bayern Munich travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg on Tuesday, and ahead of the game, Robben recounted some of his experiences at one of Europe’s most vocal grounds.

Robben was part of the Chelsea side that lost to 1-0 to Liverpool on aggregate in the semi-final of the 2004/2005 Champions League after Luis Garcia’s ‘ghost goal’ sent the Reds to the final in Istanbul.

The former Dutch captain was again involved two seasons later as Chelsea lost again at Anfield on penalties in another semi-final that saw Liverpool progress to the final at Athens.

"I think, if you ask [about] the worst stadium for me, it's probably Liverpool," the 35-year-old Dutch winger told The Guardian. "You always have your favourite opponent and there always has to be a negative one."

Reflecting on the two semi-final defeats to Liverpool in Europe, Robben added: "At that time [Liverpool] were really capable of being this cup fighter team, also in the FA Cup or [League] Cup.

"In one or two games they could really live up to it and perform; just not the whole season, which was maybe too much. That was their biggest quality: they were there at the moment they needed to be there.

"Now I think it changed and they developed really well. The manager has done a great job. Last year they were in the Champions League final and at the moment they are top [of the Premier League]. It's a long, long time ago that they won the league and that's the one they're dreaming of."

Robben will leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season after a decade at the club.