Liverpool announce Anfield redevelopment plans

Anfield may soon increase its capacity to more than 58,000.

Liverpool FC have announced plans to redevelop Anfield and boost the stadium’s capacity up to 58,500.

The club have been intending to boost the ground’s capacity for a while now and they confirmed that plans had been submitted to Liverpool City Council on Wednesday.

Liverpool enjoyed a good season in the Premier League, pushing hard for the title before eventually finishing second in the table. That meant that the club returned to the Champions League for the first time since 2009.

Manager Brendan Rodgers is already working on improving Liverpool on the pitch and now the board have responded with plans to improve the ground and surrounding areas.

“If consent is granted, the proposals would see the capacity of a new Main Stand rise by 8,500, taking it to nearly 21,000,” read a statement on the club’s official website.

“The outline proposals for the Anfield Road stand provide for an increase in its capacity of around 4,800 seats, taking the total stadium capacity to 58,800.

“The Main Stand would open onto a wide public space which has been designed to link the stadium and park while creating an area which is relevant and usable to the local community, particularly on non-matchdays.

“As part of its proposed stadium expansion plans, the club has also appointed Tom Doyle, an experienced project director who worked on the London 2012 Olympic programme, to manage the redevelopment should consent be granted.

“Construction work on the proposed Main Stand could begin early next year and it could be complete in time for the 2016-17 season.”

Liverpool’s managing director Ian Ayre was full of praise for how the community had got behind the club in their plans to redevelop the stadium.

The Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson also gave his support to the scheme and spoke of how it would be of great benefit to the entire area.

“When we set out on the journey to explore the feasibility of expanding the stadium, we said the process would be determined by certainty,” said Ayre

“Certainty that we have the support from local residents and businesses for our proposed plans, that we can acquire the land required and that we can navigate the planning landscape.

“Over the past 18 months we have worked closely with the community, local residents, Liverpool City Council and Your Housing Group and we are delighted to be able to bring forward a planning application at this stage.”

Anderson said “The proposed redevelopment of the stadium is a hugely important part of our vision for Anfield.

“The overall regeneration of the area will see £260m invested and will deliver hundreds of jobs.”