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| Liverpool's Anfield stadium expansion: Construction to begin on Monday | Liverpool's Anfield stadium expansion: Construction to begin on Monday |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Liverpool say they will begin work on Monday to increase Anfield's capacity from about 45,500 to 59,000. | Liverpool say they will begin work on Monday to increase Anfield's capacity from about 45,500 to 59,000. |
| The five-time European champions' £100m project can go ahead after they completed the purchase of the final house which will need to be cleared in order to make way for the expansion. | The five-time European champions' £100m project can go ahead after they completed the purchase of the final house which will need to be cleared in order to make way for the expansion. |
| The first phase of the work will begin on the Main Stand, which will feature a new third tier, adding 8,300 seats. | The first phase of the work will begin on the Main Stand, which will feature a new third tier, adding 8,300 seats. |
| The Anfield Road Stand will then be expanded to add a further 4,800 seats. | The Anfield Road Stand will then be expanded to add a further 4,800 seats. |
| The work is expected to be completed in time for the 2016-17 season, and will significantly enhance the club's ability to earn matchday revenue. | |
| The project will also include additional conference and banqueting facilities, a new club shop and more car parking. | The project will also include additional conference and banqueting facilities, a new club shop and more car parking. |
| The expansion is part of a wider £260m regeneration of the Anfield area of the city. | The expansion is part of a wider £260m regeneration of the Anfield area of the city. |
| According to the planning application approved by Liverpool City Council, the redevelopment will allow the club to host international fixtures and European finals. | According to the planning application approved by Liverpool City Council, the redevelopment will allow the club to host international fixtures and European finals. |
| It said there are parts of the stadium that currently "fall below current Uefa and Premier League standards, which restrict the club's ability" to host major games. | It said there are parts of the stadium that currently "fall below current Uefa and Premier League standards, which restrict the club's ability" to host major games. |
| Uefa insist upon at least a 50,000-capacity stadium, corporate accommodation and a minimum standard for players and match officials' changing rooms. | Uefa insist upon at least a 50,000-capacity stadium, corporate accommodation and a minimum standard for players and match officials' changing rooms. |
| A memorial to the 96 Liverpool fans who died in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster will be moved to form part of the Hillsborough Memorial Garden. | A memorial to the 96 Liverpool fans who died in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster will be moved to form part of the Hillsborough Memorial Garden. |
| The history of Anfield | The history of Anfield |
| Source: Liverpool FC | Source: Liverpool FC |
| Professor Tom Cannon, a football finance expert from the University of Liverpool, said Liverpool's long wait for a larger stadium had been holding the club back. | |
| "They are one of the biggest sports franchises in the world, with a global reputation," he said. | |
| "The lack of a ground comparable with [Arsenal's] Emirates, comparable with [Manchester City's] Etihad, comparable with [Manchester United's] Old Trafford, has hurt the club deeply." | "The lack of a ground comparable with [Arsenal's] Emirates, comparable with [Manchester City's] Etihad, comparable with [Manchester United's] Old Trafford, has hurt the club deeply." |
| Alex Miller, of football industry magazine FC Business, said the expansion could generate an extra £25m per year for the club. | |
| "It's seriously big money and it will allow them to close the gap on the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal," he said. | |
| However, some Anfield residents have objected to the plans, fearing problems with light pollution, car parking and traffic congestion. | |
| And some businesses and hoteliers argued closing Anfield Road to redevelop the stadium could affect their custom and clog Walton Breck Road. | And some businesses and hoteliers argued closing Anfield Road to redevelop the stadium could affect their custom and clog Walton Breck Road. |
| John Page's barber's shop will be among the buildings knocked down to make way for the expansion. | |
| He said: "I want to see this go ahead and the area come up again because it's gone down, down, down in the last 20 years. But the shop will go. My business has gone." | |
| Mr Page said he was happy with the situation but would like more support from the club, and is still discussing how much compensation he will receive. | |
| The wider plans to regenerate the Anfield area also include proposals to build 250 new homes and a 100-bed hotel, and to demolish 296 homes. | The wider plans to regenerate the Anfield area also include proposals to build 250 new homes and a 100-bed hotel, and to demolish 296 homes. |
| Last year, a consultation with residents in the area showed more than 80% supported the plans, which were drawn up by a consortium made up of Liverpool City Council, housing providers and Liverpool FC. | Last year, a consultation with residents in the area showed more than 80% supported the plans, which were drawn up by a consortium made up of Liverpool City Council, housing providers and Liverpool FC. |