View: Liverpool rolling the dice amid FSG stance on £100m Anfield expansion
Liverpool could potentially fall behind Merseyside rivals Everton after FSG CEO Billy Hogan confirmed there are no plans to continue expanding Anfield.
Everton will relocate to Bramley Moore Dock at the end of the season and, while the 52,888 capacity is over 8,000 seats less than Anfield, the modern stadium will ensure a significant growth in revenue for the blue half of Merseyside.
Hogan was interviewed by FC Business magazine in September [pg26] revealing there will be no further expansion plans for Anfield after the £100m development of the Anfield Road stand.
He said: “Really at this point, there are no plans to continue expanding Anfield.
“We will look at, as we continue to, life-cycle improvements and always looking at how we can improve the fan and supporter experience, whether that be inside or outside the ground.
“But there are no major plans for further expansion at this point.”
Liverpool risk falling behind in the Premier League
One look down south at Tottenham and all the evidence is there why Liverpool cannot afford to pass up the opportunity for further expansion.
Spurs have become financial moguls in the modern Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, hosting concerts, NFL, and boxing to increase the club’s revenue via non-football events.
Everton are on the cusp of becoming the hotspot for such events on Merseyside still, the Reds have worked tirelessly to promote Anfield as an attractive venue for the world’s biggest artists but once Bramley Moore Dock opens the doors, Anfield could become the second choice.
Hogan is no fool he is always pursuing methods to increase the revenue stream at Liverpool. However, a relocation away from Anfield is off the cards in the eyes of the supporters therefore, modern upgrades are needed to revolutionise the 140-year-old stadium.
With the Premier League set to come down on top-flight clubs with an iron fist following the ongoing battle with Manchester City, success on the pitch alone will not guarantee long-term financial success and those who are not moving forward are falling behind.
FSG are notoriously tight on the purse strings, paying £40m over the estimated cost for Anfield Road expansion may put off John Henry from wanting to dip into his pockets again to take the stadium to the next level.
“Life cycle improvements” is a vague term for what that will mean for Anfield, only time will tell but Liverpool supporters will be crossing their fingers that the ownership shares the vision of driving the club in the right direction off the pitch.
In other Liverpool news, Jamie Carragher has predicted the scoreline of the ‘big’ Reds clash against Chelsea.
For more Liverpool women news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.