Empire of the Kop: What It Is, Who Runs It, and How to Follow

If you follow Liverpool FC online, you’ve almost certainly bumped into Empire of the Kop. It’s one of the most visible fan-run news accounts in the Reds’ digital ecosystem, but it also raises a lot of questions: Who actually runs it? Can you trust it? And how does it stack up against longer-established sites like This Is Anfield? Here’s a clear, fact-checked look at what Empire of the Kop is, how it works, and what you should know before relying on it for your Liverpool news.

Type: Independent Liverpool FC fan news service ·
Website: empireofthekop.com ·
Social Media: X (@empireofthekop), Facebook, YouTube ·
Mobile App: Android (Google Play)

Nine facts about Empire of the Kop, one pattern: the site is a fully independent, fan-driven media entity that operates across multiple platforms with an opinion-first voice, but it keeps most operational details private.

What is the “Empire of the Kop” about?

History of Empire of the Kop

• Founded in 2009 by Antoine Zammit as an extension of the Twitter account @empireofthekop (Empire of the Kop founder’s author page).
• Describes itself as “an independent, opinion-led, social-first news service created by a group of Liverpool FC fans, who also happen to be professional journalists” (Empire of the Kop Facebook page description).
• The site claims to be “the most followed Liverpool FC news community on Twitter” (Empire of the Kop Substack about page).

Types of content published

• Breaking news updates (transfer rumours, match reports, club announcements).
• Opinion columns and fan analysis.
• Weekly podcast and post-match press conferences on YouTube.
• Short-form social videos and graphics for X and Instagram.

Mission statement

On its Substack page, the site says it exists “for Liverpool fans, by Liverpool fans” (Empire of the Kop Substack). The tagline emphasises community over impartiality, which shapes both its tone (opinion-led) and its editorial priorities (fan-first rather than neutral journalism).

The implication: Empire of the Kop wears its fandom on its sleeve, making it a passionate source but not a detached one. For readers who value raw enthusiasm over balanced reporting, that is the draw.

Who runs Empire of the Kop?

Editorial team background

The site is run by “a group of Liverpool FC fans, who also happen to be professional journalists” (Empire of the Kop Facebook page description). A directory of Liverpool blogs lists Jordon Chamberlain as Editor in Chief and names writers Farrell Keeling, Peter Kenny Jones, and Max Rudd (Feedspot blog directory). However, individual journalist bios beyond those names are not publicly available.

Ownership structure

• No formal ownership documentation (articles of incorporation, regulatory filings) has been located.
• The site does not appear on the IPSO membership list, unlike competitor This Is Anfield.
• It is best described as a privately owned blog without disclosed investors or parent company.

Founders

Founder Antoine Zammit is the only named originator confirmed through the site’s own author archive (Empire of the Kop author archive). The site’s Facebook description implies a founding group of “fans and professional journalists,” but individual co-founders beyond Zammit have not been publicly identified.

How does Empire of the Kop compare to other Liverpool fan sites?

Difference between Empire of the Kop and This Is Anfield

Four differences, one pattern: This Is Anfield is the older, more institutionally established site; Empire of the Kop is younger, more social-native, and less transparent.

The pattern: Empire of the Kop’s social-first speed means it often breaks news before official sources, but its lack of regulatory oversight and minimal staff disclosures make it harder for readers to verify its editorial rigor.

Similarities with Rousing the Kop

Rousing the Kop is another fan-run Liverpool site, but Empire of the Kop has a stronger social media presence (claiming most followed on Twitter). Both share an opinion-driven tone.

Unique features of Empire of the Kop

• Social-first publishing model: Twitter engagement drives most traffic.
• Aggressive headline style designed for viral sharing.
• Own Substack newsletter that supplements its primary site (Empire of the Kop Substack).

The trade-off: Empire of the Kop delivers speed and passion; readers trade that against the transparency found in regulated outlets.

What platforms does Empire of the Kop operate on?

Website

The main site (empireofthekop.com) hosts articles, opinion pieces, and multimedia.

Social media (X, Facebook)

• X account @empireofthekop (empireofthekop on X)
• Facebook page with 1M+ likes

YouTube channel

The YouTube channel (@empireofthekop) publishes press conferences and a weekly podcast.

Android app

A dedicated Android app is available on the Google Play Store (Google Play). No iOS app exists.

The implication: Empire of the Kop’s platform reach is wide, but its mobile footprint is limited to Android users, missing a significant portion of potential iOS audiences.

Is Empire of the Kop a reliable source for Liverpool FC news?

Editorial standards

The site operates without a formal code of conduct. Unlike This Is Anfield, which is a regulated member of IPSO (IPSO), Empire of the Kop does not subscribe to an independent press regulator and does not publish a corrections policy. Its content is explicitly described as “opinion-led” (Facebook page description), meaning news articles often blend fact with commentary.

Journalist credentials

The team reportedly includes professional journalists (Facebook page description), but individual names (beyond Jordon Chamberlain and a few writers listed on Feedspot) are not consistently displayed on articles. Readers cannot verify the background of every author easily.

Awards and recognition

The site claims on its Substack about page to be “award-winning” (Empire of the Kop Substack), but no specific award, year, or awarding body is named. This makes the claim unverifiable by third parties.

Clarity check: what we know vs what we don’t

What the community says

“An independent, opinion-led, social-first news service created by a group of Liverpool FC fans, who also happen to be professional journalists.”

— Empire of the Kop Facebook page description

“This Is Anfield is an independent Liverpool Football Club website rather than an official club publication.”

— This Is Anfield about page

For Liverpool fans who want the fastest possible updates with a fan’s perspective, Empire of the Kop delivers. For those who prioritise editorial accountability, regulated journalism, and transparent operations, the choice is clear: stick with an IPSO-regulated outlet like This Is Anfield, or demand that Empire of the Kop publish its editorial standards and named awards. The trade-off is between speed and reliability—and it’s a trade-off every fan should make with open eyes.

Related reading: Empire of the Kop founder Antoine Zammit

Frequently asked questions