Liverpool have confirmed the upper tier of the newly redeveloped Anfield Road stand will be open for the clash with Manchester United, taking the capacity of the stadium to over 57,000.
Work on the stand began back in 2021 and was initially pencilled in to be finished in time for the start of the 2023/24 Premier League. However, delays - including one due to construction company appointed to carry out the work filing for administration - have led to the Anfield Road stand only partially being opened for most of the current campaign.
After a successful test event for the stand on Monday evening, Liverpool have now confirmed a huge majority of the Anfield Road side of the stadium will be opened for the upcoming derby clash with Manchester United on Sunday.
"The next stage of the planned phased opening of the new Anfield Road Stand will see the expanded upper tier open for supporters for the first time," a statement on the club's official website read.
"The opening has been made possible after the club was granted all the necessary health and safety licences from Liverpool City Council following a successful test event on Monday night."
The increased capacity to over 57,000 gives the club the opportunity to record their highest home attendance since 1973 when 56,202 watched a 0-0 draw with Leicester City.
Speaking about the news, vice-president of stadium operations Paul Cuttill, said: "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."
There is still some work needed before the Anfield Road stand is fully operational however, with the capacity set to rise to over 60,000 once the final phase of the redevelopment is completed.
