FSG, the owners of Liverpool, comments on more Anfield development

Durkan, Joanna Under its current owners, Fenway Sports Group, Anfield has seen a remarkable change. However, because demand for tickets continually outpaces supply, is there any hope of further growth?

Anfield could only hold 45,362 spectators when FSG took over the team in2010. Although there were discussions about moving elsewhere, they ultimately decided to stay at Anfield.

The Anfield Road Stand saw an amazing transformation that increased capacity to 61,000 seats, although the Main Stand was the first to undergo significant renovations, adding 9,000 seats in 2016.

Although it has completely changed Liverpool’s spiritual home from the one FSG inherited, is there still room for growth at the stadium going forward? Pay attention within instead of outside.

Pay attention within instead of outside.

To put it mildly, expanding Anfield further presents challenges.There is nowhere to construct because the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand and the Kop run parallel to residences, a major road, and stores, respectively.

If they were to consider major alterations, which is improbable, it would have a tremendous effect on the neighbourhood that currently surrounds the stadium.

Instead, as an FSG chief previously stated, attention is likely to move to other areas of the current stadium.

“We’ll see what ancillary development might be possible,” FSG CEO Sam Kennedy stated in 2022 at a conference.

Even though Fenway is a residential area, it is also zoned for retail, hospitality, entertainment, and other uses. We must acknowledge and show respect for Anfield’s status as a residential area.

“In the future, you’ll probably see us focusing more inside than outside.”

One such example is the Kop Bar in the Kop, which took the place of the former club store. Another example is the proposed “underground fan zone” in the brand-new Anfield Road Stand.

Improved concourses, additional hospitality lounges, and newly constructed public bike and foot routes are all included in this kind of localised development.

Development can see a decrease in capacity.

The Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand, the oldest in the stadium with the least amount of legroom and supporter amenities, would probably be the next stand to be developed.

A report from 2023 stated that “FSG will look to improve the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand, which has a current capacity of 12,000,” although it is not currently in the works.

“If they do, and no decision has been made yet, then capacity would actually decrease when the bottom tier’s spaces are reconfigured to provide supporters more room.”

The article was written by Alex Miller, a reporter for the Mail on Sunday who has extensive knowledge of stadium-related issues from FSG’s time in office.

While supporters wouldn’t find more seats as a result, the stand would be updated with more contemporary amenities and roomier interior concourses, making it over thirty years old.

Though it would be wonderful to imagine a makeover akin to that of the Main Stand or Anfield Road End, it is simply unfeasible given the completely occupied residences situated right behind the stand on Skerries Road.

Council strategy 

As we’ve already mentioned, there isn’t much room in the local area around the ground, so FSG can’t pursue a large development on the land that is currently there.

They have previously tried it with the renowned home of the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park.

Nonetheless, Liverpool Council is moving forward with more neighbourhood revitalization, including plans for a £4 million project to modernise the stadium’s major thoroughfare.

With “a visually more appealing and healthier public street scene” as a top objective, the goal is to “create a greener and safer experience for residents and visitors.”

The council intends to explore a “new development that is rooted and focused on community inclusion” for the Anfield Square, which is the area across from the club shop on Walton Breck Road (see top picture). Updates are anticipated this summer.

The Anfield Square will not become a hotel. There is still plenty of room for internal and external growth at Anfield, even though major changes like those to the Main Stand and Anfield Road End are unlikely.