Liverpool could be forced to delay plans for the Anfield expansion due to the recent viral outbreak. The Reds are planning to extend the stadium’s capacity to 61,000 but given the impact, the health crisis is having on the construction industry and planning applications it appears unlikely they will be able to meet the original target date for completion (via the Times).
The Anfield Road stand was due to be redeveloped at the cost £60m and the idea was to have it completed in time for the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
Here is what some of the supporters had to say about the possible delays.
I think stadium expansions are the least of our worries at the moment lads.
— Housebound Michael (@choochoopoopoo) March 26, 2020
The bad news keeps coming
— JURGENS MIGHTY REDS (@spam1987) March 26, 2020
Bring us some good news for once!
— S.O.C (@stevie80con) March 26, 2020
Will the current health crisis lead to the expansion being cancelled?
Yes
No
— Andrei Bloju (@TheGymSpirit) March 26, 2020
Why? Contract should already be in place. There will be no shortage of contractors wanting work.
— Ste Russell (@SteRuss60) March 26, 2020
I think it more likely that a fear of a serious and worldwide recession is more of a determining factor for those who hold tight grip of the purse strings. There is still yet an exceedingly long way to go!
— Peter Johnson (@dyslexiauntied) March 26, 2020
What do we think?
Anfield’s current capacity stands at 54,074 but with English football suspended until at the earliest, 30th April, plans for the redevelopment of the stand can wait. It’s clear from the responses above that to many, this felt like another wave of bad news but as pointed out by one of the supporters, there are far more pressing concerns at the moment.