That alone is central to the argument to redevelop Anfield instead of building a new site.
However, consider that the maximum capacity, realistically, of a redeveloped Anfield is around 58,000 – 60,000 seats. Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium opened 5 years ago and has a 60,000 capacity. Arsenal also have over 40,000 fans on season ticket waiting lists. And Liverpool’s fan base is larger.
So while under ideal circumstances Liverpool would redevelop Anfield, there would be no scope to do so again in the future. The red half of Merseyside is going through a club wide makeover, with fresh faces everywhere from playing staff, the manager, executive positions to owners. A new stadium, wherever it is, is a must for Liverpool whose current 45,000 capacity denies them extra gate receipts they could fill easily, with their stature and fan base.
But the new stadium would be symbolic as much as anything else. As much as Dalglish is a remnant of Liverpool’s past, he’s also a fresh approach in contrast to the last 10 years of the Red’s management. Liverpool’s owners have committed to developing the club, providing transfer funds this summer, a new stadium be it Anfield or otherwise, and ingrained themselves into the history of their new asset.
Tradition and history have to go hand in hand with realism, however. John Henry and NESV know that. They have previously both built a new stadium, for Baltimore Orioles and chosen to redevelop an iconic existing stadium, for the Boston Red Sox. So they will consider both options carefully, but there is a financial realism to this situation which really has only one outcome.
With the move from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal went from 38,000 to 60,000 capacity. Their revenues increased by a staggering £ 63million in their first full season at the new ground, up from £ 137m to £ 200m.
Liverpool must plan for the future. Anfield is the sentimental choice. I’ve been on European nights – the atmosphere in the games against Chelsea and Juventus in 2005 was magnificent. There’s an aura, a feeling around the stadium. You feel like you’re walking into a page from a sports history book. A page full of passion, electricity, comebacks, incredible success and, most importantly: thundering renditions of You’ll Never Walk Alone.
So I understand the case for staying at Anfield. But long term, if Liverpool want to step up to where United, Chelsea and Arsenal are, where they once were, they need to move forward and embrace positive change.
They are one of the most supported clubs in world football who charmed an entire generation of young fans. Investing millions for a 60,000 capacity which couldn’t be increased is simply nonsensical for Liverpool. The stadium decision should match the club’s ambition, financial and long term goals. On that basis, there is only one choice.
