Liverpool could be denied full £100m boost as club reveals setback ahead of new season

Liverpool could be denied the full extent of a potentially significant revenue boost due to a delay in the expansion of Anfield.

Work on the Anfield Road End was announced in 2022, with plans to expand its capacity by 7,000 seats.

Upon completion, the stadium's capacity would increase up to 61,000 seats.

As per Liverpool's official website, the plans involved fitting 5,200 new general admission seats, as well as a further 1,800 seats with sports bar lounge or hospitality facilities.

Improved concourses and a new hospitality lounge were included as part of the design proposal, and the work was due to be done in time to open at the beginning of the 2023/24 Premier League season.

Liverpool requested that their first Premier League fixture of the campaign to be played away from home. They will face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on August 13.

Anfield was then due to open to full capacity on August 19, when the Reds take on Bournemouth. But that won't be happening.

Liverpool stadium plans delayed

According to The Athletic's James Pearce, the work on the Anfield Road End has overrun.

Instead of the stand opening in August, therefore, it is reported that Liverpool are 'resigned' to a staged opening process which will see the stand fully opened in October.

The Liverpool Echo claimed that, upon the completion of the stadium expansion, Liverpool would be able to join Tottenham and Manchester United as the only Premier League clubs to record over £100 million in matchday revenue per season by the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

Given the delays in expansion, that figure could now be in doubt, with the Reds not able to open Anfield to full capacity to take on the Cherries - or for their subsequent fixtures.

However, they will take some solace in the fact that the Bournemouth game has not been delayed or moved at this stage, meaning Liverpool supporters will be able to watch Jurgen Klopp's side in their home stadium as the club prepares for a Premier League title push.