Liverpool get green light over major plans that will come to fruition in 2023

Independent news This is Anfield reports that Liverpool are being given the green light for expanding the Anfield Road end by 7,000 additional seats.

The Main Stand was expanded in 2017 and with the ground's current capacity at 53,394, an extra 7,000 seats will take overall capacity to close to 61,000 and while Anfield is already one of the most famous stadiums in the world, more voices singing You'll Never Walk Alone will be even more special.

This is Anfield reports: "The plan to extend the Anfield Road End by 7,000 additional seats, taking Anfield’s new capacity to circa 61,000, will go before the planning committee next week (15 June) and the council’s head of planning has recommended that the application be granted.

"The new application, which is a revision of the previously expired permission, was submitted earlier this year and there has been a delay in the council committee meeting due to the pandemic.

"The revised application includes permission to use the stadium for other team sporting events and to host up to six major events per annum, for up to five years. This is less than the 12 events initially requested."

Significantly, This is Anfield reports that the plans include "an entry section big enough to bring in large items for stages to convert the stadium for concerts and such". This will be in the corner between the Anfield Road End and The Kenny Dalglish Stand.

Liverpool are the most successful club in England and deserve to have their stadium grow and improve in line with their achievements on the pitch and while Manchester United's Old Trafford seats 76,000, they cannot match the atmosphere generated by the Anfield faithful.

As Pep Guardiola said in July, 2019: “The motto ‘This is Anfield’ is no marketing spin. There’s something about it that you will find in no other stadium in the world.

“They score a goal and over the next five minutes, you feel that you’ll receive another four. You feel small and the rival players seem to be all over you.”

After a disappointing season from Liverpool, it's exciting to think that not only will Anfield be expanding in 2023 but fans will be back in the ground next season as lockdown measures in the United Kingdom ease as the vaccine rollout continues.

With Ibrahima Konate's arrival, Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip's arrival, the Reds will be back at their best next term and hopefully, Anfield can witness some more great Premier League and Champions League memories.