Work starts on Reds ground
-
Liverpool have begun work on their new 60,000-seater stadium after the club were granted full planning permission by Liverpool city council.
The new ground at Stanley Park, which could ultimately be capable of holding up to 73,000 supporters, will replace The Reds' current home at Anfield and is expected to be completed for the beginning of the 2011/12 season.
The club has also received outline planning permission for a mixed use development on the existing Anfield stadium site.
Co-chairman George Gillett told the club's official website: "This is a significant milestone for the club and I am delighted that the design received full planning consent and that we are now on site.
"We have been working very hard over the last six months to move the details of the design along but this is the first tangible evidence for fans that a New LFC Stadium will be built.
"The stadium design is unique and will be recognised across the world as the Liverpool FC Stadium. It incorporates a Kop stand that will hold 18,000 fans and we hope that the stadium will be as noisy and atmospheric on a matchday as Anfield."
Co-chairman Tom Hicks added: "We recognise the importance of a new LFC Stadium as part of the wider regeneration of the local area.
"We have watched the council transform Stanley Park over the last six months and the ongoing refurbishment of houses in the Anfield/ Breckfield area.
"I am pleased that now the club has received full planning permission it can join the regeneration process with the commencement of enabling works."