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In a city where football legends dominate the headlines, Chris Shepherd’s new graphic novel, Anfield Road, tells a different story. This powerful and heartfelt work explores adolescence, family, and identity in 1980s Liverpool — far from the glamour of the pitch but right in the soul of the city.
A Publisher Once Said It Would Never Sell
When Shepherd first pitched Anfield Road, his publisher told him it would never sell. A comic about a teenage boy in Liverpool who doesn’t even like football sounded too unusual, too ordinary — and that’s exactly what makes it extraordinary.
Drawn in black and white with touches of colour, the novel captures the grit and tenderness of city life. Every page feels tactile and lived-in — from the cracked pavements of Everton’s backstreets to the peeling facades of Lime Street Station and the Royal, frozen in time before its decline.
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Inspiration from Real Liverpool — and Real People
Shepherd grew up locally, “in the King Harry,” as he affectionately refers to the King Harry pub that served as both backdrop and heartbeat of his youth. The novel channels that same local spirit, weaving in Willy Russell-style dialogue, Steptoe & Son–like humour, and flashes of absurdity reminiscent of Liverpool’s own music-video era.
It’s rare to see Liverpool presented in this way — not through football or pop culture, but through everyday lives, humour, sadness, and survival. Shepherd finds inspiration in the city’s contradictions: working-class resilience, grim comedy, and surreal charm. Anfield Road sits somewhere between Boys from the Blackstuff and a fever dream — grounded yet poetic, tragic yet funny.
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A Story of Conor, Maureen, and the Meaning of Home
At its core, Anfield Road follows Conor, a teenager growing up in the shadow of the Kop. His parents are absent, and his guardian — his grandmother Mary — is loving but overprotective. She wants what’s best for him, even if it’s not what’s right for him.
Conor doesn’t fit the mould. He’s not into football, but he’s deeply affected by the Hillsborough disaster, which shakes his community and becomes a haunting backdrop to his coming-of-age.
We follow him through small but vivid moments: a first date in town, a pint in a pub, a busker on the corner, and conversations that echo the city’s dry humour. The book’s realism is what gives it power. There are no aliens, no superheroes, no over-glamorised characters — just people, places, and memories rendered with care and authenticity.
Working on the novel during Lock Down
Shepherd began working on the novel during the initial lock down of COVID, sometimes just a page a week. Like many of us he looks to have been re-living his experiences of loosing loved ones. The process was slow and reflective, like the rhythm of a city song. He often used music to guide his pacing — the soundtrack giving him a sense of how each scene should feel.
The story’s ending wasn’t planned in advance. It evolved naturally, shaped by years of drawing and reflection. Shepherd faced plenty of rejection along the way but remained focused on the story he wanted to tell — a story rooted in truth rather than trends.
Authentic, Relatable Characters
Shepherd’s characters feel like people you might actually meet. Conor is someone you instinctively want to reach out to; his girlfriend, someone you’d want to be friends with. She’s attractive, but drawn realistically — not exaggerated or idealised. Like the streets and shopfronts around her, she’s part of a world that feels alive, textured, and recognisable.
The buildings are just as evocative: the old frontage of Lime Street Station, the Royal before its decline, and the fictional Fat Dave’s Tyres — a playful nod to the city’s ever-changing landscape.
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Rediscovering His Roots Through Art
After leaving Liverpool to attend art college in London, Shepherd began to rediscover his roots through Anfield Road. Although it isn’t a memoir, the novel is steeped in his experience of growing up in Liverpool during the 1980s — the humour, the struggle, and the pride.
Today’s creative world is dominated by algorithms and trends, but Shepherd is driven by something different: a belief in originality and honesty. He wanted to make something personal and grounded, a story that reflects real people rather than polished caricatures.
Chris Shepherd Live: Liverpool Literary Festival and Beyond
Shepherd discussed Anfield Road at the Liverpool Literary Festival in conversation with Dr. David Hering. Their talk revealed a creator deeply connected to his hometown yet unafraid to confront its uncomfortable truths.
Following the festival, Shepherd continues his UK book tour, which concludes at Kraken Comics in Wallasey at the end of November. Fans are encouraged to book early — the events are already drawing strong interest from readers and comic fans alike.
Why “Anfield Road” Matters
In a publishing world saturated with superheroes and formulaic plots, Anfield Road stands out as something rare: a human story told with humour, honesty, and heart.
It’s a love letter to Liverpool — to the grit of its streets, the warmth of its people, and the memories that refuse to fade. For readers who crave authenticity, this is a graphic novel that proves ordinary lives can make for the most extraordinary stories.
Anfield Road is available to purchase directly from Chris Shepherd.
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