Anfield pitch just 91 metres long for Four Nations final

Safety concerns have been raised over the reduced in-goal areas which have Anfield at just 91m long for this Monday's Four Nation's final. Photo / Photosport

Kangaroos fullback Darius Boyd is hopeful the small in-goal areas on the Anfield pitch won't present too many safety concerns for players in the Four Nations final.

The iconic home stadium of Liverpool FC will be used for the first time for a major rugby league international when the Kangaroos take on New Zealand in the tournament decider on Monday morning (NZT).

With the stands so close to the playing surface, the pitch has been modified to just 91 metres - nine shorter than what's stipulated in the international rule book.

Extra padding has been placed behind the in-goals with the digital advertising hoardings that usually run around the perimeter of the pitch also being removed for this game.
Cameron Smith and Jesse Bromwich walk on to the pitch at Anfield ahead of the Four Nations final.

Luke Lewis and Brett Morris were injured in two separate incidents during the 2013 Rugby League World after crashing into fencing behind the in-goal areas.

Lewis dislocated his shoulder when sliding for an attempted try on a rain-soaked surface at St. Helens and Morris was badly winded in a similar situation after sliding down a slope that runs off behind the goal at Manchester United's Old Trafford.

Boyd admitted there were some concerns by the players but said Mal Meninga and his backroom team had assured the squad everything had been done to improve safety.
"Mal's been pretty good with preparing us," Boyd said.

Kangaroos skipper Cameron Smith and Kiwis captain Jesse Bromwich pose ahead of the Four Nations final at Anfield.

"He measured out the pitch at Coventry and it was a bit shorter and you could tell in London that the distance between the 30 and the 40 metre line was about seven metres.

"At Old Trafford three years ago it was a bit dangerous when you were chasing a kick.

"It's a bit worrying but at the end of the day it's pretty special to play at a ground like Anfield where there hasn't been much rugby league played before."