New date set for completion of Anfield Road expansion – and it's a big one

Having been plagued by a series of delays, Liverpool's much-anticipated £80m redevelopment of the Anfield Road stand seems to be back on track, with a date now set for its reopening to spectators.

Originally slated for completion before the start of the current season, the redevelopment has been marred by challenges, notably with the main constructor, Buckingham Group Contractors, filing for administration in August.

In response, the club swiftly appointed Rayner Rowen to take over and resume the final works on the project, announcing a phased reopening plan.

Now, the Daily Mail is reporting that the ambitious overhaul is expected to conclude by the end of February or, at the latest, in early March.

This means that while there remains a slim possibility that the upper section of the stand might be ready for Liverpool's match against Luton on 24 February 2024, the showdown with Manchester City (on 9 March) appears to be a more realistic target for the grand unveiling.

Once completed, the iconic stadium will have an overall increased capacity of 61,000 – making it the fourth largest ground in the Premier League.

Big losses

Expressing his frustration at the delays, Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan commented, "This is a complex and frustrating situation. Our team, alongside consultants and Rayner Rowen, are working incredibly hard to ensure we're doing everything we can to progress the project as quickly as possible."

Financially, the delays are taking a toll on Liverpool, with an estimated loss of £750,000 per game. Jurgen Klopp's side are set to play at least 18 home games during the construction hold-up, potentially resulting in a staggering revenue loss of around £13.5 million.

As the finishing touches are applied to the Anfield Road stand, the iconic stadium is poised to reclaim its status as one of the most electrifying venues in football - just in time for what Reds fans hope will be a key match in the race for the Premier League title against Pep Guardiola's side.