Liverpool chief issues Anfield stadium update ahead of Merseyside Derby v Everton
Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan has issued an update about the club’s stadium development ahead of the Merseyside Derby with Everton.
The Anfield Road Stand is currently being expanded, with the upper tier previously expected to be open for the meeting with the Toffees later this month.
But construction company Buckingham Group have gone into administration, with Hogan now revealing that the upper tier will not be open for the Everton clash.
“Maybe to go back a bit, in July, at the time when we knew there was going to be an initial delay at the start of the season, the schedule we had worked to and the schedule we had been told was that ultimately the upper tier would be open in some capacity for the Everton game, which is ultimately why we went ahead with the ticket sales from the Everton match on,” Hogan told the official Liverpool website.
“That was ultimately based on the information that we were provided at the time. The reality is, we’re just really now beginning to get a clear understanding of what the reality of the delays are.
“So, as more work has progressed and with the more information that we’ve had over the course of the last couple of weeks since Buckingham confirmed that they went into administration, essentially we now know that’s just not the case and we’re not going to be able to open in time for the Everton game or any home games for this calendar year.”
Huge blow
The latest update from Hogan is a blow to Liverpool supporters, with those having tickets for the upper tier now missing out on a chance to watch their heroes in action.
But it is also a blow to Everton and to the fixture in general, with the historic clash certain to miss out on a more vibrant atmosphere due to the closed stand.
There will, however, still be lots of noise and plenty of animosity between the supporters at Anfield when the two Merseyside clubs meet next Saturday (21 October).
It is a short trip across Stanley Park for the Toffees, who will be desperate to cause a major upset at the home of their most fierce rivals.
Given the current form of both clubs, however, that does seem unlikely, with Liverpool currently sitting fourth in the Premier League table as Everton struggle in 16th.
But as is customary in such derbies, form really could go out the window, with Sean Dyche really hoping that will be the case.
In other Everton news, a Toffees star has sent a one-word message to Eden Hazard after he announced his retirement from football.