LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 31, 2024: An aerial view of Anfield, the home stadium of Liverpool Football Club, showing the newly redeveloped Anfield Road stand. The redevelopment of the stand saw an additional 7,000 more seats added taking Anfield's overall capacity to more than 61,000. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 31, 2024: An aerial view of Anfield, the home stadium of Liverpool Football Club, showing the newly redeveloped Anfield Road stand. The redevelopment of the stand saw an additional 7,000 more seats added taking Anfield's overall capacity to more than 61,000. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool are likely to have a request to keep Anfield Road permanently closed rejected by Liverpool City Council.
When Liverpool rebuilt the new Anfield Road Stand, it included the addition of about 6,000 new seats, allowing more fans to attend games.
However, the disruption to the local community remains and problems still persist two years after the new stand was effectively completed.
To allow for the expansion, Liverpool had to close Anfield Road from Alroy Road to Skerries Road, to let builders reroute the street around the new perimeter of the stand.
Initially, the planning agreement said the road would reopen upon the work being finished, but two years on, cars are still not permitted on that section of Anfield Road.
Liverpool have since applied to keep the road permanently closed to motor vehicles, but Liverpool City Council’s planning committee are reportedly “minded to refuse” this application.
Arguments for and against the closure of Anfield Road
The club own the road and gave various arguments to keep it shut, including potential ‘trip hazards’ posed by a road with pavements rather than the current ‘plaza style’ route.
Also key to the club’s argument was lowering the risk of a potential terror attack by blocking the use of cars.
That particular reason doesn’t quite hold up, though, given that the road would be closed on matchdays anyway.
Ian Byrne, MP for Liverpool West Derby, said (h/t Liverpool Echo): “Everyone in here will know I’m a massive Liverpool fan.
“I work with the club extensively on so many issues, I sit on the supporters’ board, I do many, many things with Liverpool Football Club, but when they’re wrong you’ve got to call them out and they’re wrong here.”
Councillor Ellie Byrne added: “The permanent closure has forced more traffic onto surrounding and residential streets, making life more difficult for the people who live there.”
A final decision will be made when the proposal soon goes to committee for the third time.
Liverpool want to extend concert window
Liverpool are already in hot water with some residents after they lodged a bid to change the rules permitting when summer shows at Anfield are allowed to be held.
Currently, the stadium is allowed to host no more than six major events during the off-season and there must be none held in July.
Liverpool have, this summer, placed a planning application to allow more flexibility.
Reporter David Humphreys explained: “The club asked the local authority to change the respite arrangement to allow more flexibility to secure more events.
“This would allow shows to take place in July but would maintain a dedicated 31-day block when no events would be held.
“It would likely affect when home matches would be played at the start of the Premier League season.”
This came as LFC officials claimed Anfield lost out on a “global act” due to their agreement with the local authority.
Delay to work on Walton Breck Road
Earlier in 2026, a £4 million scheme was approved to create a greener and safer experience for residents and match-goers on Walton Breck Road.
The major changes should see wider footpaths and the introduction of free-standing concrete planters that are designed to also allow for a temporary rest area for visitors near the stadium.
There were also plans to create a mini-roundabout at the junction of Walton Breck Road, Oakfield Road and Wylva Street, not far from the popular Homebaked.
However, work has yet to start on these changes that were supposed to be completed by Christmas.
iraolagrav
Football – FA Premier League – Everton FC v Bournemouth AFC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, February 10, 2026: Bournemouth's Rayan Vitor Simplício Rocha celebrates after scoring his side's first and equalising goal during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Bournemouth AFC at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
away-training-kit