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<\/p>\nLiverpool have announced plans to partially open the upper tier of their new Anfield Road stand when the face Manchester United next month.<\/p>\n
The \u00a380million upgrade, which will increase Anfield's capacity by 7,000 to 61,000, has been beset by problems ever since the main contractor, Buckingham Group, went belly up. But it now looks as if half of the tier will be open to fans for the United game on December 17, pending safety approval.<\/p>\n
The rest of the stand will not be fully operational until some time in 2024, though it's understood the upper tier could remain open for games against West Ham, Arsenal and Newcastle later in the month, should everything go as planned on December 17.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Inside Liverpool's failed new stadium projects \u2013 from 'miniature Wembley' to 'Parry Bowl'<\/b><\/p>\n
READ MORE: Top 10 football stadiums in history according to AI \u2013 with three English grounds included<\/b><\/p>\n
The opening is subject to an internal emergency conditions test managed in conjunction with Liverpool City Council, along with a public test event, which is set to take place the week before the United match. Around 3,000 people will be asked to test the upper tier before it can be officially opened and a safety certificate granted.<\/p>\n
Once the entire stand is opened, Anfield will become the fourth-biggest ground in the Premier League, overtaking the Manchester City's 55,000-capacity Etihad Stadium and Arsenal's 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium.<\/p>\n
When do you think work on the Anfield Road stand will finish? Let us know in the comments section below.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
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If a partial opening of the Anfield Road stand is greenlit ahead of the United game it will no doubt provide an already feisty fixture with an extra bit of spice. Erik ten Hag's team are floundering in sixth place and will hope to have stopped some of the rot of their dismal season before their trip to Liverpool rolls around.<\/p>\n
Jurgen Klopp's side will meanwhile be looking to continue keeping pace with the likes of Man City and Arsenal at the top of the table. Next month's fixture is also the first meeting between the two sides since Liverpool's 7-0 mauling of United back in March.<\/p>\n