The Anfield Road End seats have been built, however the full opening is still scheduled until early 2024.
Liverpool revealed the most recent milestone in the reconstruction of Anfield Road on Friday.
The Reds’ £80 million plan to expand their home stadium’s seating capacity to 61,000 seats has encountered serious problems in the last few months due to the demise of the construction company Buckingham Group, which was originally hired to carry out the project.
Work was forced to halt until the matter was resolved; ultimately, the company went into administration, with its stadium business failing to find a buyer in time. This meant that the Reds needed to hire a new construction company immediately, and they hired Preston-based Rayner Rowen to finish the job.
After evaluating the necessary work, Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan decided to close the upper tier until the end of the year at the latest, giving sufficient time for completion, inspection, and obtaining the necessary safety certificates. He then shared this decision with the fan base.
The upper tier’s last seat installation was the main topic of discussion in Liverpool’s Friday update. This is a clear indication of the team’s progress toward its objective of filling the stadium to capacity early in 2019. Work on the stand’s set out is still ongoing, and before a full opening can be approved, Liverpool City Council must be satisfied with a series of test events.
An important component of the Reds’ growth strategy is the redevelopment of Anfield Road End, which is being spearheaded by the team’s owners, Fenway Sports Group. Dynasty Equity, based in New York, recently signed a deal to acquire a minority stake in the team. The money raised will be used to pay off bank debt incurred by projects like the redevelopment of Anfield Road End, the construction of the AXA Training Center, and the acquisition of Melwood to house the women’s teams. Because it eliminates the interest that was due on the loans, it is a move that will strengthen the Reds’ balance sheet and increase cash flow.
