Credit: via planning documents

Anfield expansion revived

Following a delay caused by the pandemic, Liverpool FC is readying plans to expand the capacity of its stadium’s Anfield Road stand by 7,000 people, taking the ground’s full capacity to 61,000. 

The move comes at a time when fans have been unable to attend football matches since March, but Liverpool’s managing director Andy Hughes says the absence of supporters has reaffirmed the club’s desire to expand. 

He said: “The last nine months without fans in our stadium has driven home our commitment to making Anfield accessible to more fans than ever before. 

“While a high level of uncertainty remains around Covid-19, we would like to be in a position to move ahead with the proposed redevelopment as soon as the time is right, which is why we’ve decided to move forward with submitting the planning application.” 

The expansion would make Anfield the third largest stadium in the Premier League, behind Manchester United’s Old Trafford and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which can hold 74,000 and 62,000 fans respectively. 

Under the proposals, the club will also ask Liverpool City Council for permanent permission to hold concerts and major events at the stadium. 

Liverpool FC had originally anticipated that the project would complete in time for the 2022/23 season, subject to planning consent, and had expected to submit an application for the scheme in spring of 2020. 

However, in April a statement from the club said that, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the projected completion date had been pushed back to the summer of 2023 at the earliest, a year later than planned.

Liverpool FC has now provided an update on the proposals, saying a planning application will be submitted “shortly” and that it expects a decision to be made next spring. 

Hughes said: “We have been clear from the start that the expansion would be based on three things: financial viability and sustainability; the successful navigation of the complex planning landscape, and the cooperation of local residents and the community. 

“We feel we now have a proposal that has been informed by our neighbours, will support the wider economy and provide an opportunity for more of our fans to come to Anfield to support our great team.” 

Work to increase Anfield’s capacity to 54,000 by adding 8,500 seats to the main stand completed in 2016.  

Two years earlier, the club secured outline consent to add 4,500 seats to the Anfield Road end, but the club let the permission lapse in order to bring forward plans for the larger expansion.  

Architect KSS, landscape architect Planit-IE, and planning consultancy Turley advised on the 2014 application. 

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Like Old Trafford Anfield is becoming a mishmash of dull architectural styles. City already has a well designed excellent stadium and the Everton proposed new stadium is stunningly good. As a Stockport County supporter I do not have an axe to grind just making an observation about uninspiring architecture.

By Anonymous

Totally agree. Would be nice to see more uplift on the exterior , large TV screen etc. They need to look at NFL. The score board inside the ground next to the main stand is embarrassing

By steven

As a Liverpool supporter, Everton have done a great job in providing a exciting design.
I hope the surrounding areas to Anfield can be of an exciting input, this will certainly help our design as the design needs to be sympathetic to the surroundings. Major fast food and coffee outlets and hotels would also be welcome.

By steve

The corporate hospitality offer is key. That will be new, whether in a new build stadium or a new stand.

By Anonymous

Anfield doesn’t stand alone. It sits within its neighbourhood and needs to evolve with it and respect it. Architecture needs to do this just as much as it needs to innovate.

By Roscoe

Anonymous, you possibly haven’t seen the older Anfield. If you think this is poor, its 1000% better than the older stadium – importantly too, they have opened the areas around the ground, and both movement and landscaping are much improved. Internally the new stand is stunning, so will this be.

By Klopped

There`s nothing wrong with this. It fits in with the times. Why do some people just not want to see Liverpool progress?

By MmcDrama Queen

I do remember the old stadium and I know this is a massive improvement. I am also aware of the great improvements in the local area – my comment was about uninspiring architecture.

By Anonymous

I would much rather have a ground steeped in history with a fantastic atmosphere than a generic soulless bowl like some other clubs have built. Anfield will be an intimidating fortress, I can’t wait.

By L16

It fits the times. Why do some people just not want to see Liverpool change and progress?

By MmcDrama Queen

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