Anfield Road extension delayed by a year due to COVID-19

Liverpool's proposed redevelopment of the Anfield Road stand has been deferred by 12-months as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Premier League champions-elect hope to have construction completed by the summer of 2023.

Liverpool were aiming to submit its planning application this spring following a consultation process that began in November of 2019.

The plan is to increase the capacity of the stand by adding an extra 7,000 seats, bringing Anfield's total capacity to 61,000.

In expanding the stadium, the club are also hopeful of attracting other events to the Merseyside stadium, including gaelic games.

Liverpool say the pause on their plans is down to, "reviewing the delays that the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and will continue to have for the foreseeable future, coupled with the high levels of uncertainty in the construction industry".

Photo: Liverpool FC

Liverpool FC’s chief operating officer, Andy Hughes, added, "The complex build programme for Anfield Road is an 18-month process and needs two clear summer closed season windows in order for it to be successful.

"This is why we are pausing on the project for at least 12 months so the earliest we could complete the programme is summer 2023 rather than summer 2022 as originally planned."

Similar to the Main Stand's construction, the bulk of the work will need to take place during summer months so as to cause minimum disruption to the club's home fixture calendar.

"Given the planning application is no longer time-critical, it is our intention to submit our planning application at some stage during the next 12 months", Hughes added.

"We will use this period to review and consider options.

"When the football calendar and the wider delays to the construction and supply chain industries begin to plateau, we will provide further updates."

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