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Wenger: Anfield is a stadium with soul, with pressure really on the opponent

  /  autty

Manchester City aren't the first team to feel the power of Anfield. They won't be the last.

And for Arsene Wenger, the stadium itself is a significant reason why Liverpool are now unbeaten in 46 home Premier League games and are the reigning European champions.

The former Arsenal boss spoke in glowing terms about the Reds' home ground ahead of Sunday's titanic top-flight tussle with City.

Anfield saw perhaps its greatest ever night in May when Liverpool fought from 3-0 down in the first leg to beat Barcelona 4-0 and reach the Champions League final.

And Wenger is a huge fan of the venue and believes it can have a real impact on opposing players.

"If Liverpool have changed games in Europe, for a big part it's down to Anfield," he said to beIN Sport.

"It's the hardest place in Europe. It's the only place now you can take a corner and shake hands with supporters!

"You can say 'hello my brother, how are you?' and continue to play football. That's a real football field, you know.

"Today we build sophisticated stadiums but that is a stadium with soul, with pressure really on the opponent."

Wenger has been consistent in his praise of Liverpool's home stadium.

"In Europe they do well. Why? Anfield," he said after the win against Barcelona. "(For a) home game, this is the most heated stadium in Europe in a return game. It is the only place you don't want to go.

"The atmosphere - everything - is special there."