**Liverpool FC’s bid to permanently close Anfield Road is set to be rejected.**
The area around the stadium gateway between Alroy Road and Skerries Road had been shut for five years to facilitate work on the Anfield Road Stand’s expansion.
A new section of road was built between the stand and Stanley Park to replace the old surface and allow cars to pass through after its reopening in late 2024.
However only pedestrians and cyclists have been able to use it exclusively outside of the Premier League club’s matches and other major events such as concerts.
Liverpool City Council’s planning committee said on Tuesday (July 28) it was ‘minded to refuse’ the Reds’ request despite planning officers’ recommendations.
LFC’s planning representative Sam Ryan argued that Anfield Road represented the ‘only weak point’ for vehicles in the case of the terror threat level being raised.
But that case was disputed by Cllr Joe Hanson, who accused the club of ‘reneging’ on promises which were made to local residents during the planning process.
He said: “I really, really struggle with this definition of terrorism.
“Why would a terrorist arrive on a Wednesday on Anfield Road and decide to blow the building up?
“I really, really think Liverpool Football Club are being completely disingenuous to the residents around there.
“They made promises through the planning process, they reneged on that, and they’re trying to change it. Liverpool Football Club are acting in an absolutely disgraceful manner.”
A statement read out from Anfield ward representative Cllr Lena Simic claimed that the permanent closure was not the only ‘reasonable or proportionate solution’.
She said: “This is not about matchdays, this is not about concerts.
“This is about an ordinary Tuesday morning in February, a Wednesday afternoon in October or a Sunday in March where there is no event taking place. That distinction matters.
“Residents accepted years of disruption because they were assured the replacement road would reopen once construction was complete outside match and event days.”
The proposal will now be sent back to the commitee for a formal and final decision.