Work on new Liverpool stadium to start in April, Council Leader claims

By Duncan Mackay

January 2 – Construction on a new multi-million pound 60,000-capacity stadium to replace Anfield is expected to begin in April, the Leader of Liverpool City Council has claimed.

Councillor Warren Bradley claimed that Liverpool are confident of finding the money for the stadium project, which was put on hold in August 2008 due to the financial climate, in the first quarter of 2010.

The ground will be built on a new site in Stanley Park, next to the Premier League side’s current home, which was opened in 1884.

Bradley said: ”What they’ve said is they’ll secure the finances in the first quarter, so that’s between January and March.”

The cost of the stadium, which will form part of England’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018, is estimated at between £350 million and £400 million.

Bradley said: ”Liverpool Football Club have come back to us and said they’re very close now to securing the finances and they want to move on as quickly as possible, not only for the World Cup bid but also for Liverpool Football Club, who see a new stadium as being the heart of the business plan.

“Liverpool FC’s [chief executive] Christian Purslow has told us that the club in the first quarter of next year should be able to move forward with the stadium.

“We have told them it’s time to move on now, it’s gone on too long.

“I honestly believe Christian Purslow has been open and honest with us.

“Hopefully in the first quarter of next year we will see some movement.

“Without doubt it’s not before time.”

Bradley also revealed that fresh talks over Everton’s plans for a new ground are due to take place on January 11.

He said: “We have got a meeting with Everton Football Club where we will put all our cards on the table.

“I will be there as will be Council chief executive Colin Hilton and executive director of regeneration John Kelly.

“We want to make sure that we can facilitate things for Everton FC.

“They want to discuss Bellefield and the stadium.

“We fully understand they need some commercial support for a stadium.”

The Council and Everton have clashed over the club’s desire to build homes on its former training ground Bellefield.

In January 2009 the club lost an appeal against the Council’s decision to reject plans to build 74 homes on the site in West Derby.

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