Liverpool could play European home qualifier away from Anfield
Liverpool FC might have to play their home game in the 2016-17 Europa League qualifier away from Anfield. The Merseyside club is set to revamp their famous stadium in a building project which is reported to be worth 260 million pounds.
The project aims to increase the ground capacity by 13,000 seats which would make the main stand of Anfield one of the largest in Europe.
Reportedly, Liverpool has also asked the Football Association (FA) to schedule their first two league matches of next season to be away ones. According to a number of sources, this would provide the Reds with much needed additional time to complete the entire construction process.
Looking at the current league table, the Merseyside club is unlikely to qualify directly for the UEFA Europa League next season. They occupy the ninth position in the Premier League table with 44 points in their kitty, six points behind fifth-place West Ham United.
However, the Redmen have played a couple of matches less than most of the other English sides including the league leaders, Leicester City, and second-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
Jurgen Klopp's men are determined to avoid the qualifying round of the Europa League next season. However, if they fail to be successful in their endeavour, Liverpool will have to play both the qualifying fixtures on consecutive Thursdays of 28 July and 4 August this year.
According to a few sources, there is no way that Anfield will be ready by then. Therefore, a number of club officials are considering Bolton Wanderers' Macron Stadium, Wigan Athletic's DW Stadium or Blackburn Rovers' Ewood Park as a substitute ground to stage their home fixtures.
When completed, Anfield's seating capacity will be increased to 54,000.
A brief history of Anfield
Built in 1884, Anfield was originally the home ground of Everton Football Club, the city rivals of Liverpool. In 1892, Everton moved to Goodison Park and Liverpool was formed. This famous ground has served as the home turf of Liverpool ever since its inception in 1892.
The stadium currently boasts a seating capacity of almost 45,000 and has four stands, namely the Main Stand, Centenary Stand, the Spion Kop and the Anfield Road Stand. It also has a couple of gates named after the legendary Liverpool managers, Bill Shankly, and Bob Paisley.
The statue of Bill Shankly- who wanted to build the club into a “Bastion of Invincibility”- is situated right outside in front of the famous stadium.