Reds lift lid on Anfield revamp

LONDON – Liverpool will play in front of their biggest home crowd in 39 years when Anfield’s main stand is reopened for the Premier League visit of champions Leicester City tomorrow.

Although ground capacity has yet to be confirmed by the local council, a full house of about 54 000 is expected to see Jurgen Klopp’s side play their first home game of the season.

The new three-tier stand will contain an extra 8 500 seats and be a significant step in the club’s attempts to narrow the gap in match-day revenues on their competitors.

The latest figures from 2014-15 put Manchester United on £108.1million (R2.02-billion at current rates), followed by Arsenal on £100.2-million (R1.8-billion), Chelsea on £71-million (R1.3-billion) and Liverpool on £50.9-million (R953.4-million).

Liverpool expect their increased capacity to boost revenue by £20million (R374.6-million) with the possibility of more to come if the club go ahead with the redevelopment of the Anfield Road End for which they have planning permission.

That would further boost capacity by 6 000 to about 60 000, putting them on a par with London clubs West Ham United, who have just moved into the 2012 Olympic Games stadium, and Arsenal but still way below Manchester United (76 000).

Liverpool defender Joel Matip said he was relishing hearing the club’s famous anthem of You’ll

Never Walk Alone at the stadium, which has been the club’s home since its formation in 1892.

“I’ve been waiting the whole preseason to make my first steps at the stadium,” he said.

“I think Liverpool is famous for its stadium, for its atmosphere. To hear You’ll Never Walk Alone for the first time at the stadium will be a special moment.” Fixtures (4pm unless stated) Man United v Man City, 1.30pm; West Ham v Watford; Stoke v Tottenham; Middlesbrough v Crystal Palace; Burnley v Hull; Bournemouth v West Brom; Arsenal v Southampton; Liverpool v Leicester, 6.30pm

Sunday: Swansea v Chelsea, 5pm.