Liverpool Anfield expansion plans approved

Liverpool City Council has approved Liverpool FC’s request to expand their stadium by almost 14,000 seats. The increase in capacity will be observed at the Main Stand by 8,300 seats and the Anfield Road Stand by 4,800. The Main Stand as it will be expanded from one to three tiers. The construction for this expansion will begin in 2016-17.

This would increase Anfield’s capacity from about 45,500 to about 59,000. This expansion will cost Liverpool’s owner a cool £100m.

Liverpool’s City Council is very elated with this new development. Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said:

"This is a very important milestone in our ambitions to transform the Anfield area, bringing new jobs, investment and housing.

"Liverpool FC's proposals for the stadium are a key part of this."

The main reason for this expansion is cited to be Anfield’s inability to host international and UEFA’s matches as the stadium in its current capacity falls way short of UEFA’s requirement of minimum 50,000 capacity stadium, corporate accommodation and a minimum standard for players and match officials' changing rooms.

The stadium will witness inclusion of additional conference and banqueting facilities, a new club shop and more car parking. All of this is the part of the plan to redevelop entire Anfield area. The plan is expected to cost approximately £260m to the exchequer.