By David Lynch
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group are expected to reaffirm their commitment to redeveloping the club’s Anfield home on Monday.
The Reds’ lengthy battle with Liverpool city council over the necessary demolition of nearby housing appears be nearing an amicable conclusion, though specific announcements regarding an increase in capacity are not expected to be confirmed until a later date.
The Anfield Road and Main Stand areas of the historic ground have been marked out for refurbishment, in order to bring the stadium’s capacity up to around 60,000 – in line with Liverpool’s rivals at the top end of the Premier League.
As explained by fan site The Anfield Wrap on Saturday, the Merseyside outfit hope to begin the restoration work in 2014.
The news brings to an end links with a vacant plot of land on nearby Stanley Park, where the Reds club had previously planned to build a new stadium for which plans have been written off at the cost of £35 million.
Principal owner John W Henry has repeatedly spoken of his desire to refurbish Anfield following FSG’s takeover – two years ago to the day – citing concern over the escalating cost of a new build for the relatively small reward of just 15,000 extra seats.
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