Liverpool

Liverpool's Ian Ayre: 'Anfield expansion is important milestone'

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 04 December 2014

Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre says that the club have reached a "milestone" after confirming that their Anfield expansion plans will go ahead early next year.

Liverpool have confirmed that construction on the expansion of Anfield will get underway early next year after securing permission to increase capacity via the Main Stand.

The redevelopment, which will be completed during the 2016-17 season, will increase the ground to 54,000 seats, while a widened player tunnel, new team benches and media platform will also be introduced.

Chief executive Ian Ayre told the club's official website: "Today is an important milestone in the history of Liverpool Football Club. Since we embarked upon this journey we have always said that we need certainty - we now have that certainty and will progress with the expansion of the Main Stand.

"We received very positive support for this expansion during a public consultation exercise and today is also an important step for the wider regeneration of the Anfield area.

"There has been a tremendous amount of work done to get us where we are today but this is just the beginning. This is a major construction project which will take place during the football season and while we will make every effort to minimise any impact or disruption to normal operations, we ask for the continued support and understanding from our fans and the local community."

A two-storey podium will also be built to house the Hillsborough memorial.