Revenue surge leaves FSG at a crossroads over work on Anfield

ITS size dominates every other structure in the area, meaning less protection from sharp winds.

And so, some sitting in the top tier of the main stand complain that Anfield has become colder — even if they can see a vapour trail left behind by Mohamed Salah.

Yet results revealed by Liverpool yesterday show the stand earned the club an extra £12m in its first season, with overall matchday revenue rising to £74m.

Though Liverpool still trail Manchester United and Arsenal by roughly a quarter, the gap in theory would narrow if the option to raise the Anfield Road stand’s capacity by 6,000 was taken up.

It is a significant factor that the impressive figures are largely down to the popularity of hospitality suites at home fixtures.

What Fenway Sports Group choose to do next has the potential to divide opinion.

Debate around the Anfield Road stand comes at a time where supporters have raised concerns about availability of tickets for junior fans, those who in better circumstances would attend together and make an almighty din but aren’t able to, having been priced out due to rising costs.

Liverpool can estimate ‘projected yields per seat,’ which means they have an idea of how much someone is likely to spend inside the ground.

This leads to an impression they might prefer to have a tourist in the Kop than a local who will take their custom to nearby shops and pubs.

Fenway will be anxious investing again on another new development which is unlikely to have the space for as many boxes.

They should recognise the potential of rail seating, though say they wouldn’t install them without approval of families affected by the Hillsborough disaster.

Fenway will soon arrive at a crossroad of choices that have moral, sporting and financial considerations.

It is a chance to prove doubters wrong when it is argued they know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.