The Reds could be one step closer to redeveloping Anfield…
Liverpool’s owner John W Henry, chief of the Fenway Sports Group, has pledged to spend £150m on the redevelopment of Anfield, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The Reds want to expand both the Main Stand and the Anfield Road stand, which will increase the current capacity of 45,000 by 15,000 – turning Anfield into a mega 60,000 all-seater stadium.
For over ten years though, Liverpool have tried and failed to structure a redevelopment of the ground. Under the previous ownership of Tom Hicks and George Gillette, promises were made and never fulfilled due to a lack of financing, and banks refusing to lend more money to the club. The Liverpool City Council also put stumbling blocks in the way of the extension, and it appeared until now that Anfield would stagnate for the foreseeable future.
Henry has promised fans now that obstacles are being overcome, and Liverpool are working closely with housing groups and the council, where previously, they were fighting against each other.
“We are making good progress,” said Henry.
“There are a lot of different groups working very well together and that’s the key to a big project like this happening, when everybody is on the same page. When everybody is on the same page, we move forward.
“I think we were clear at one point that what made financial sense was going in this direction – and this is the direction that makes financial sense for the club for a long time.
“Obstacles are being overcome,” he added.
If Liverpool eventually redevelop their stadium, it would be the third biggest club ground in the country, behind Manchester United’s Old Trafford and Arsenal’s Emirates. It would significantly increase match day revenue, and likely help the club reinstate themselves as a European superpower.
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