The new Anfield Road stand, which contractor Buckingham is building for Liverpool Football Club, is two months behind schedule.
The £80m project was due for completion in time for the Red’s first home game of the new Premier League campaign at Anfield, against Bournemouth on Saturday 19 August.
Construction work started in September 2021, which involves adding an extra 7,000-seat tier above the existing Anfield Road stand, to increase the stadium’s capacity to 61,000.
However, Buckingham said that although the existing stand will be open and operational for the Bournemouth game, the new upper tier will remain closed. The contractor plans to open the upper tier in a phased process which it expects to be completed in October 2023.
Andy Hughes, managing director at Liverpool FC, said: “This has been a hugely ambitious and complex construction project from the start and I would like to thank everyone who has played a part.
“Unfortunately, the upper tier of the Anfield Road Stand is not quite ready for the Bournemouth game. The main contractor, Buckingham, will therefore work with Liverpool City Council’s licensing team to deliver a phased opening process.”
“As with any complex major construction project of this scale, there are always so many variables and challenges along the way. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding while we work through the next few weeks with Buckingham to complete this programme.”
