Liverpool Delay Anfield Road Expansion Due to Coronavirus

With much of the world still stuck self-isolating due to coronavirus and no real certainty about when or how football will return, a few stories have largely been forgotten—including Liverpool’s proposed expansion of the Anfield Road end.

The hope had been for the club to gain final approval this summer and begin construction in December, laying foundation work for the new stand behind the existing one such that matchday attendance wouldn’t be impacted.

Now, however, the club have accepted that will not be possible. Due to the part where the whole world is self-isolating due to coronavirus and a lot of things are uncertain.

“On reviewing the delays that the COVID-19 pandemic has had and will continue to have for the foreseeable future,” read a club statement on the matter, “it is with regret that the club has paused its proposal to expand the Anfield Road stand.”

It’s hardly a surprise, all things considered—and for most fans, it’s likely the plans to expand Anfield hadn’t been given much thought in recent weeks.

“The earliest target date for completion is now summer 2023,” said COO Andy Hughes. “The complex build The complex build programme for Anfield Road is an 18-month process and needs two clear summer closed season windows.

“This is why we are pausing on the project for at least 12 months so the earliest we could complete the programme is summer 2023 rather than summer 2022 as originally planned.

“We will use this period to review and consider options. When the football calendar and the wider delays to the construction and supply chain industries begin to plateau, we will provide further updates.”