Liverpool has been in a transitional state in more ways than one this year — and the Premier League club just announced some disappointing news for its fans.
The team is spending a reported $97 million to expand its Anfield Road Stand and increase the capacity for home matches from 53,000 to 61,000. But the project — which was supposed to be completed before the start of this season — remains unfinished and without a clear end in sight.
Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan said that the upper tier of the Anfield Road Stand will stay closed until at least the end of 2023. Hogan wouldn’t put a firm timeline on when construction would be completed or when the stand could even partially open.
Because of the delays, Liverpool will have to refund or reallocate the tickets fans purchased for next week’s Merseyside derby match against local rival Everton. The club had been anticipating being at full capacity for that game.
Currently sitting fourth in EPL standings, Liverpool will end up playing at least 10 Premier League matches at reduced capacity, plus several Europa League and Carabao Cup games.
The Anfield construction issues came shortly after Liverpool sold a minority club stake to New York-based private equity firm Dynasty Equity that could be worth $200 million. The funds were said to be used in part to make improvements to Anfield.
