Anfield’s largest attendance in 50 years expected for Liverpool vs. Man Utd game

Liverpool has announced that the upper deck of the recently renovated Anfield Road stand will open for the match against Manchester United, increasing the stadium’s capacity to more than 57,000 seats.

The stand’s construction was originally scheduled to be completed in time for the 2023–2024 Premier League season, however, that was back in 2021. The Anfield Road stand has only been partially opened for most of the current season, though, due to delays, one of which was caused by the construction company hired to complete the work filing for administration.

The vast bulk of the Anfield Road side of the stadium will be open for Sunday’s derby match between Liverpool and Manchester United, the team has announced, following a successful test event for the stand on Monday evening.

With a capacity of nearly 57,000, the club can now host its largest home crowd since a 0-0 tie with Leicester City in 1973 which 56,202 spectators attended.

The Anfield Road stand will eventually hold over 60,000 people when the last stage of the reconstruction is finished, although some work remains before it is completely functional.

“The next stage of the planned phased opening of the new Anfield Road Stand will see the expanded upper tier open for supporters for the first time,” a statement on the club’s official website read. 

“The opening has been made possible after the club was granted all the necessary health and safety licences from Liverpool City Council following a successful test event on Monday night.”