Thursday 4 December 2014 19:23, UK
Liverpool will begin work on Monday to increase the size of Anfield to hold 59,000 spectators, an increase of 13,000 on the ground’s current capacity.
The first phase of the work will begin on the Main Stand, which will feature a new third tier that holds additional 8,300 seats. The Anfield Road Stand will then be expanded to add a further 4,800 seats.
The expansion is expected to be completed by the start of the 2016/17 season and work has already started to clear houses and buildings which surround the ground.
The stadium expansion is part of a wider regeneration in the Anfield area of the city which will cost £260m and the project will also include additional conference and banqueting facilities, a new club shop and more car parking.
According to Liverpool City Council, who approved the planning application, the expansion will allow the ground to host international fixtures and European finals, for which UEFA require at least a 50,000 capacity stadium.
Chief executive Ian Ayre was eager to reassure Liverpool fans the expansion will not hinder the club’s ability to invest in its playing squad and outlined how the project will make Liverpool more competitive over the longer term.
"The funding has been put in place by the owners, we haven't gone outside, and it will come in as a loan and that is great news because it minimises the cost and allows us to move very quickly," Ayre said.
"It is an effective way rather than going to a bank and paying escalating interest prices.
"It shouldn't affect squad development as we built this economic model on the basis it was important to find a solution where we could maintain our level of investment throughout the build.
The funding has been put in place by the owners, we haven't gone outside, and it will come in as a loan and that is great news because it minimises the cost and allows us to move very quickly.
"It can only improve once the construction is finished and the money is paid (off) then it is additional revenue so it is additional revenues to invest in the team.
"It shouldn't have any negative effect on investment in the football team.
"That is why we do this. We obviously want more of our fans to come through the door each week but we want to compete at the highest level with our biggest competitors.
"They have a bigger capacity and therefore bigger revenue so can invest bigger amounts so this is one of the final pieces in the jigsaw for us."
There have been protests at Anfield over ticket prices in recent weeks but Ayre insisted the new development would allow for a greater spread of prices.
"We have said all along we recognise there needs to be some affordable pricing and tickets in the stadium - that is the case today and maybe there can be more of that," he added.
"It is about finding the right balance as transfer fees and wages are going up."
Ayre also confirmed the Hillsborough Memorial would be placed into storage and a temporary feature installed at the stadium until construction is completed.
