Q&A'There's nowhere you'd rather be than Anfield' - comedian Russell Howard on his love for Liverpool

His love affair with the club began as a youngster and has blossomed into his adult life, with Howard saying that being at Anfield on a matchday and hearing You’ll Never Walk Alone is one of his great thrills.

In a recent Q&A in the Carabao Cup final matchday programme, he discussed his love and support of the Reds – which, by his own admission, has given him countless memories to recall.

Read on for his Liverpool story, favourite memories and more...

How did you become a Liverpool fan?

My dad was born in Widnes, so there was a connection there, although he wasn’t really into football. For that reason, me and my brother found ‘religion’ quite late. When I was nine years old, we had a little TV in the kitchen and I remember my dad saying, ‘That’s Liverpool, they’re good.’ I remember watching and being amazed by John Barnes and his balance. From then, I was hooked. I would wear the full kit from the age of around 10 to 15. I would just wear my Liverpool kit, play and watch football.

Who have been some of your heroes through the years?

As I mentioned, I loved John Barnes. I loved Peter Beardsley as well – the Beardsley shuffle is my only move. To my knowledge, it’s not used enough! When Robbie Fowler came along, I loved him so much that I managed to find somewhere that would sell the strips that he’d put on his nose. I remember reading in a magazine that it gave you 20 per cent more oxygen and I thought, ‘That’s exactly what I need to take my game to the next level.’

I loved Steve McManaman, too. Obviously, Steven Gerrard was just the most complete midfielder and the amount of times he took a team that was nowhere near the levels it’s at now and dragged them over the line, he was incredible and would be my all-time favourite. Luis Suarez is the best striker I’ve ever seen live. He was unplayable for a time. At the moment, Mo Salah is incredible and has been for so long. He’s so consistent and I hope he wins the Ballon d’Or this year.

What would you say is your favourite memory as a Liverpool supporter?

I was there when we beat Barcelona 4-0, and I’ve never been to a football game like it. It was one of those nights where the energy of the crowd and the performances the players put in were just incredible. After the game, myself, Kevin Bridges, his wife, my brother, Neil Ruddock and a friend of Neil’s were drinking in the Titanic Hotel – it was just a brilliant night. I have to say, though, I don’t think I’ve ever shouted more than when Alisson [Becker] scored that header against West Brom. I went absolutely crazy because we needed that to get into the top four, and it was such a good header. We used to live in a terraced house, so I had to be on my best behaviour watching football games because the neighbours could hear me. I absolutely lost it, and my wife came down asking what I was doing, and I was like a child pointing out that the goalkeeper had scored.

You’ve got your Five Brilliant Things podcast. If you could have one current player on the show, who would it be?

I would go with Virgil van Dijk. I really like him – he’s a wonderful footballer. I would just like to be in his presence because he seems like such a powerful man and has an aura about him, and having watched him for seven years now, I want to see if he’s as impressive up close as he is on the pitch. I bet he smells nice as well! I don’t think I’ve ever seen him sweat and his hair is never out of place. I would want to ask him if there are ever any moments where Virgil van Dijk is flustered – I can’t imagine there’s that many.

What is the most brilliant thing about being a Liverpool fan?

I’d say hearing You’ll Never Walk Alone at the ground. I live in London and it’s a mission to get up to Anfield, but when you’re there, there’s nowhere you'd rather be, and every time you hear it it’s just incredible.