Anfield Set to Welcome Largest Attendance Since 1977 for Manchester United Clash

Anfield Stadium is preparing for its biggest crowd in over four decades as Manchester United comes to town on Sunday. The stadium will host its largest attendance since 1977, pending a successful test event on Monday evening.

Test Event and Phased Opening

A test event is scheduled for Monday evening, where 7,500 supporters will attend a Q&A session with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. This event will test the facilities in both the upper and lower tiers of the stand, allowing the club to obtain a safety certificate for the new upper tier. If the test event goes smoothly, an additional 7,000 supporters will be seated in the new Anfield Road Stand upper tier for the Manchester United match, bringing the total attendance to around 57,000.

Throughout this season, Anfield has been operating with reduced attendances of around 50,000 due to the closure of the upper tier and certain sections of the lower tier. However, with the phased opening of the upper tier, the stadium aims to reach its full capacity of nearly 61,000 by the end of January.

Facilities and Improvements

All 7,000 tickets for the new upper tier will be in the general admission area, as the hospitality areas and a small section of seating in the lower tier are not yet completed. While concessions will be open for the upcoming matches against Manchester United, West Ham, and Arsenal, not all facilities will be fully operational as construction continues following the previous contractor’s administration.

The completion of the Anfield Road Stand project has faced challenges and setbacks. However, Liverpool FC has worked diligently with the new contractor, Rayner Rowan Construction, to ensure that fans can attend three significant games in eight days leading up to Christmas.

Future Improvements

Although the lower tier has not undergone significant changes, Liverpool FC plans to enhance the experience for supporters in the extended space. The club will revisit the area to explore additional enhancements and amenities.

Financial Impact and Positive Outlook

The setback in the completion of the upper tier has potentially cost the club a significant amount of revenue. With an estimated loss of £750,000 per match and 11 games played so far this season, the total cost could exceed £8 million. However, despite these challenges, the completion of the Anfield Road Stand project signifies a positive future for Liverpool FC. The stadium’s capacity will reach 61,000, fulfilling the promise made by owners FSG when they acquired the club.

Anfield Road Stand Facts

• The capacity for upcoming home games will be around 57,000
• The final capacity of the stadium will be 61,000
• The Anfield Road Stand will accommodate approximately 16,000 supporters
• The estimated cost of the project is £80 million