Liverpool has announced designs for a £60m expansion of the Anfield Road stand that will raise Anfield's capacity over 61,000. The plans, part of an open to all consultation launched on Friday, are for a new 16,000-seat stand that will expand the arena's capacity by 7,000. It is the second project by owners Fenway Sports Group since their take over of the club in 2010. The first saw the Main Stand rebuilt in 2015, with a further 8,500 seats added to bring the stadium’s overall capacity to 54,072.
At first, it was decided that 4800 seats will be added to the Anfield Road stand. However, it was decided that the application will be allowed to expire in 2019 as FSG has far more ambitious plans. Plans were chalked up but they faced problems because the Anfield Road was being blocked for getting the extra space which the residents had a problem with. Ultimately it was decided against and it’s hopeful the work will start in the Main Stand by the ending of this year.
The Anfield was constructed in 1884 but was used by Everton at the start where they used the stadium until 1892 before moving out due to rent problems and Liverpool took their chance. Anfield underwent several changes in the late 19th and early 20th century, among which in 1895 the construction of a new main stand and a decade later the construction of the famous Spion Kop were the main lookouts. The ground remained more or less the same for the next two decades until the Kop got expanded in 1928. Once completed, it could hold about 30,000 fans. Further betterment was done between 1963 and 1973 between which was a new main stand was made after demolishing the old one.
Over time, it was decided that the stadium was to be converted into an all-seater and in the 90s the construction for a second-tier, as well as the all-seater, started. In midst of all this, the Bill Shankly Gates were also made after his death. Since then not much has changed at Anfield. Liverpool had decided that they would move away to a new stadium at Stanley Park but eventually, that plan was not carried out as new owners, FSG deemed Anfield to be the best for the club.
Since then the club has seen a lot of turmoil and eventually a ray of hope when they won the UCL last year. It looks like the first PL in 30 years might be coming to Anfield, Merseyside at all.
What are your thoughts on the Anfield expansions?
Watch more here about Liverpool's Anfield Road Expansion Plans
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