This is how the new Anfield could look after Liverpool complete a £150million expansion of their famous stadium to a capacity approaching 60,000.
The plans would see the stadium's capacity rise from 45,000 to about 58,500, making it the third-largest venue in domestic football behind Old Trafford and the Emirates – until Manchester City complete their own expansion of the Etihad to 61,500.
The images are understood to be official designs for the long-awaited plans, although they are likely to be updated in some areas before the unveiling, which is expected to come ahead of Chelsea’s title-deciding visit to Anfield this Sunday.
Expansion: An artist's impression of how Liverpool's redeveloped Anfield stadium could look
Getting bigger: The new-look Anfield will accommodate 58,500 fans and provide Liverpool with greater matchday revenue
Forward planning: Liverpool owner John W Henry (right) is keen to improve the club's business model with a bigger stadium
Growing: Liverpool want to extend the main stand and refurbish the Anfield Road end of their current home
Liverpool are set to apply for planning permission to Liverpool City Council before the end of the season. Work on the new stadium will be in two stages, to be completed by 2018 if all goes to schedule.
An expanded Main Stand is the club’s priority but Liverpool will also seek planning permission to refurbish the Anfield Road end as a second phase of building work.
Sources close to the project say that the current seated section of the Main Stand will remain, with the old roof being removed and two new extra tiers added to make a three-tiered stand with a capacity of more than 20,000, making it the biggest stand in the ground.
All extension work will go on around the current stands to avoid reducing the stadium’s capacity and loss of match day revenues.
A number of houses backing on to Anfield would need to be demolished to allow stadium redevelopment. Liverpool City Council is known to have agreed deals for at least 67 of the 71 homes affected by the stadium plans, and is considering compulsory purchase orders for the remainder.
Not enough: Anfield currently holds 45,200 fans, limiting Liverpool's earning potential on matchdays
Liverpool appointed architects KSS to work on the stadium redevelopment plans - the same company that oversaw the design of executive areas at the City of Manchester Stadium in 2002, the Chelsea Village at Stamford Bridge and the company behind the designs of the proposed new stadium for Tottenham.
Liverpool first went public with plans for further expansion in 1999. Then-chairman David Moores was reluctant to risk the club’s future by taking out a £200m loan to pay for the redevelopment, though, instead deciding to find a buyer with the funds to do so.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2610222/Liverpools-plans-redeveloped-Anfield-leaked-Merseyside-club-prepare-expand-stadium-60-000-seats.html#ixzz2zciiCyjH
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