There were long calls for Anfield to be re-developed in some way, shape or form, with fans calling for a bigger capacity, primarily based on the back of the team’s success under manager Jurgen Klopp. Those calls were acted on, with the Anfield Road Stand being re-developed to take the capacity to a high of 61,000. However, after contractors The Buckingham Group filed for administration, many asked what was happening.
A contractor filing for administration is never a good thing, but as the work started on the Anfield Road Stand in 2021 and was due to finish ahead of this current season, things are at the latter end of the process. The lower portion of the stand was open against Bournemouth, the club’s first home game of the 2023/24 campaign, but total capacity was limited to 50,000, 11,000 short of the “new” limit.
With contractors walking out on the job after hearing the news of administration being filed for, it’s led to many questioning what happens now. One suggestion has been that because Liverpool have got off to a good start this season and are expected to have a successful campaign, where they at least make the top four betting, according to Premier League betting odds, they could quickly draft in new contractors to get the job finished by the restart post-international break.
Work like this is often met with delays. As mentioned above, the initial schedule saw the Anfield Road Stand open and fully functional by the start of the 2023/24 season, but now October is being spoken about, especially in light of the news of the predicament The Buckingham Group find themselves in. Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan said, “We are still aiming for October, but what we’re working through now is to put a plan in place. I know this is incredibly disappointing and frustrating.”
So, everything remains up in the air, and news of the Anfield Road Stand being open and fully operational is expected to come when the club has finalised a plan. They’re unlikely to set a deadline after recent events, but October does still seem possible, which means fans will be able to take in games from the stand, with the derby against Everton set to take place on October 21. Between now and then, only one Premier League fixture is scheduled for Anfield, and that is the visit of West Ham on September 24.
What doesn’t remain up in the air is the form Liverpool are showing on the pitch this season. After a 1-1 draw against Chelsea in their opening game, they’ve gone on to beat Bournemouth and Newcastle. They were down to ten men against The Cherries but ran out 3-1 winners after being a goal behind. And, a goal down and a man down at St James’ Park against The Magpies didn’t prevent The Reds from bagging three points, with substitute Darwin Nunez at the double late on to secure victory against a team they’re expected to be battling it out with for a top-four finish.
