By Tom Degun
October 15 – Liverpool have revealed plans to extend the capacity of Anfield to 60,000 rather than build a new ground on Stanley Park.
The redevelopment is set to be in the region of £150 million ($241 million/€186 million), with Liverpool also committing to building a hotel as part of the project.
If the process remains on schedule, work would begin in 2014 as part of a set of new proposals from the city council for the area.
The redeveloped Anfield will be the centrepiece of the council’s £175 million ($281 million/€217 million) regeneration project in the area which will see a series of compulsory purchase order consultations on houses that would need to be demolished for the redevelopment.
Residents raised concerns earlier this year about the plans to expand Anfield, which currently seats 45,276, and it remains unclear how many houses would be affected by any compulsory purchase orders.
But while the club have explored options for a new stadium, particularly on Stanley Park, Liverpool owner John Henry wants to remain at Anfield.
“Today represents a huge step forward for the Anfield area,” said Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre.
“Everyone at the football club knows the importance of today.
“We welcome the opportunity to be part of this partnership – we want to thank Joe Anderson (Mayor of Liverpool) and the council for the time and the support they’ve given us to help make the right decision.
“LFC celebrated its 120th year in 2012 at Anfield and there is no doubt Anfield is the spiritual home of the club – our preference was always to remain at Anfield.
“This is a major step forward for the football club but more importantly the residents.
“This is step one as there is land to acquire, plans to be approved etc, but this is a significant moment.
“I know a proposition of staying at Anfield has been looked at before, but fundamentally the difference is that for the first time ever all of the relevant parties are coming together for a common initiative, and that common initiative is not for the needs of the football club but actually the needs of the community.”
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