Liverpool’s rich history has been given a new home at Anfield with the opening of the new Forever Reds Lounge. The new space, located within the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand, brings together the club’s past and present in a setting designed to celebrate the players, moments and memories that have helped shape Liverpool Football Club.

Created in partnership with Forever Reds, Liverpool’s official former players association, the lounge provides supporters with an immersive celebration of the club’s history, while also giving former Reds a chance to remain closely connected with the supporters and stadium they once called home.

With iconic imagery, Liverpool memorabilia and a strong focus on the characters who have contributed to the club’s story, it is a space that feels designed not simply to look back, but to remind supporters of the people and moments that made Anfield what it is today.

And with former players regularly visiting the lounge on matchdays, there is also the opportunity for supporters to hear first-hand stories from those who helped write Liverpool’s history.

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Dan spoke to Forever Reds chairman and Liverpool legend John Aldridge about the new-look, renamed lounge and who will benefit from the work done by the group…

The Forever Reds aims: “I think there have been many times over the last 10 or 12 years that I’ve been chairman for now, it might even be longer, to where we are, where we’ve come from, just raising money, being able to just raise money for people that need it in the Liverpool area.

“We originally started to raise money for our own players. But then you couldn’t give it to them because it would become taxable. So, now the club has taken it all over. We now raise money, first and foremost, for the ex-players who need it. And then whatever’s [left] over every year, we, we distribute it to the people that you’ve seen here today, you know.

“We’re in a great situation with the help of many fans and people out there, including businesses – the golf day, the Christmas dinner, and the [charity] match in March, from which we get a percentage, along with the LFC Foundation.

“So it’s a no-brainer, you know. Gerry Byrne, for instance, you know, when he passed away, it was horrible. He had nothing [when he died], and what he had done for Liverpool. That’s the prime example that really ate away at us. And now, better late than never, you know. We’ve been able to look after quite a few magnificent, brilliant players for Liverpool over the past. And we’ll continue to do so.”

Ex-players benefiting: “Oh, massively, massively, you know. It wouldn’t be fair for me to name the players, but they are iconic players. There are still players now who are not in a great way, who are iconic, massively iconic for Liverpool Football Club, and we’re there for them if need be.

“Terry McDermott is now really struggling. What a man, what a fella, and we’re there for him and his family as well, which is important. So it’s great that everyone has been able to pull together and the club have been magnificent, absolutely brilliant to help get us to this position.”

Club’s help: “The club have been massive because now there’s no tax implications for anyone who needs help, you know. Whether it’s a downstairs bedroom, changing the house around or whatever is needed for surgery or other requirements. Anything, we’re open to anything, you know.

“And without the club, we’d have still been [struggling to help as much as we want]. What we used to do was have a golf day, a dinner and a few other little bits and bobs and we’d raise money. And we’d give it to places like Alder Hey or kids’ charities more than anything.

“But now, it’s first and foremost, the players get it. And then afterwards, we look at the means in the Liverpool area, who needs it most. You know, children often come to the fore. I’ve just had a big chat with the Hillsborough people (Hillsborough Survivors’ Support Alliance).

“I didn’t realise that there are still people facing up to [the effects of the Hillsborough disaster] now. You know, they have hidden it away for all these years and are now coming out. So that’s, that’s very poignant.

“And many other people you’ve seen in the room, you know, like the Alzheimer’s Society. 70–75% of our ex-players who have passed away over the last 20–30 years have had Alzheimer’s or dementia. So, they’re all close to our heart, you know, as well as the kids’ charities we help.”

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Is it hard for players to admit they need help? “Yes, it’s hard [for some ex-players to reach out for help]. Without naming names, they are just old-fashioned, proud men, which you understand.

“Yeah. We have to force it on them. It’s mad, whereas some, some people will be, you know, on your feet type of thing, for want of a better word. But they are so proud. So proud.

“But we make it our business now to find out that, you know, if they’re not telling you, we find out. You know, by people around certain players and what situation they’re in.”

The space itself: “Where am I!? (laughs). The way they have done it all out, they have done a great job, It’s more of a football bar now the way they have designed it, and that suits us.”