Liverpool set for record Premier League crowd at Anfield against Man Utd

Anfield will welcome a crowd of over 57,000 fans for Sunday's game against Manchester United – the ground's biggest crowd in 50 years.

Liverpool are set to open the upper tier of the redeveloped Anfield Road Stand this weekend, following the successful test event on Monday, which also featured a Q&A with Jurgen Klopp.

The club announced on its official website that all the necessary health and safety licences from Liverpool City Council have been granted with Anfield now set for a bumper crowd against United.

As noted in the club statement, the expected 57,000 fans will be the largest attendance at Anfield since April 1973 when Bill Shankly’s side played out a 0-0 draw with Leicester City in front of 56,202.

Liverpool's current record attendance at home stands at 61,905, set during an FA Cup clash back in 1952. However, Sunday's match is set take the record in the Premier League.

The Anfield Road redevelopment project suffered delays earlier this year when contractors the Buckingham Group went into administration, with plans subsequently pushed back and Liverpool forced to play home games this season in front of a reduced capacity crowd.

This weekend marks the next stage in the phased re-opening, with the new stand expected to be fully operational at a capacity of 61,000 in January.

Paul Cuttill, vice-president of stadium operations, is quoted as saying: “This is fantastic news and testament to the sheer hard work and commitment that all involved in this complex project have put in.

“We were forced to revise on construction schedules after Buckingham went into administration in September and thought we wouldn’t be able to open the upper tier until January.

“So to find ourselves ahead of that schedule is great, a real credit to all involved. The priority has always been to get fans into the upper tier safely and as soon as possible. We must thank all those fans who attended our test event on Monday evening to make this possible.

“Now we can’t wait to welcome those 57,000 fans to Anfield and see the new upper tier of the Anfield Road Stand come alive on matchday.”

Liverpool's statement notes that tickets for this weekend's hotly anticipated clash will first go first to season ticket holders and club members who have had tickets for previous games cancelled due to delays in the stand's redevelopment.