12 October 2023 , 10:25
801
0
Anfield's capacity will remain at 51,000 for the rest of 2023 as Liverpool admitted to more frustrations on the project to revamp the Anfield Road end.
The Reds had initially hoped to open the new upper tier of the stand at the beginning of the season, increasing the capacity to 61,000, but then after contractors Buckingham Group went into administration the project was pushed back, with a target to open for the Premier League Merseyside derby on October 21.
That deadline has now been missed again, with new contractors Rayner Rowen needing more time to analyse the project that they are undertaking.
Many fans with tickets for the Everton match and the remainder of Liverpool's home matches in 2023 are set to face disappointment, with the club resigned to not being able to open the new tier until next year.
"We want to try to be as transparent with the supporters about this project as possible," said Reds chief executive Billy Hogan. "Maybe to go back a bit, in July, at the time when we knew there was going to be an initial delay at the start of the season, the schedule we had worked to and the schedule we had been told was that ultimately the upper tier would be open in some capacity for the Everton game, which is ultimately why we went ahead with the ticket sales from the Everton match on.
Klopp's dream Liverpool line up as last-gasp January transfers rejected
The work on the Anfield Road end has been visible during matches this season (AFP via Getty Images)"That was ultimately based on the information that we were provided at the time. The reality is, we’re just really now beginning to get a clear understanding of what the reality of the delays are.
"And what’s become clear in the last few days is there’s just more work to be done in order to get a full project completion plan for the stand, which means unfortunately as I said that the upper tier is not ready to partially or fully open until the end of the calendar year."
After the Everton game Liverpool will play eight more home matches in 2023, including big Premier League clashes with Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle in December as well as two Europa League group games.
"As I said previously multiple times, I know how disappointing this news is, continued Hogan. "I want to ensure our supporters that everyone is working incredibly hard to bring the project to a successful completion.
"It is a huge and important project for Anfield, obviously we’re incredibly excited about having 61,000 at Anfield and so as soon as we have additional updates we will certainly share that with supporters. Not having the upper tier open for the remainder of the calendar year is clearly significant, which is why I wanted to share that news directly with all of our supporters today."