Thursday 4 December 2014 21:10, UK
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard hopes there are "many more fantastic memories to come" at Anfield after the club confirmed the expansion of the stadium is set to begin.
A Main Stand redevelopment will see Anfield’s capacity rise by around 8,500 seats, meaning the stadium will be able to hold 54,000 spectators.
Gerrard has yet to decide whether to commit to an extension to his current Liverpool contract, which expires at the end of the season, but the 34-year-old is thankful Anfield will remain the club’s home.
Liverpool abandoned plans to leave the stadium for a larger new ground two years ago, and news that building work will start on Monday has highlighted a long-term commitment to the arena.
Gerrard, who has spent his entire career with Liverpool, said: "It's very exciting news that we have finally got around to extending Anfield. For me, it was all about staying at Anfield.
As much as I like new stadiums, I'm more traditional and I like the old stadiums like the Camp Nou and places like this, where all the history and all the memories happen.
“As much as I like new stadiums, I'm more traditional and I like the old stadiums like the Camp Nou and places like this, where all the history and all the memories happen.
"There have been so many unbelievable nights and memories here, it would have been a shame to leave it all and for this to have become houses or apartments.
"Now that they are going to extend the stadium, it's going to become even bigger, better and noisier. Hopefully there are many more fantastic memories to come."
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers believes increasing the number of supporters that can pass through the Anfield turnstiles is key to the club's long-term success.
"It's very important. When you look across the globe and football, some of the stadiums hold up to 80,000 or 90,000 people," he said.
"So it's very important commercially and very important for football that's aligned and it benefits the football club, because first and foremost there are more supporters getting in.
"It is vital to have another tier on top of the main stand here and that will be amazing. Obviously commercial revenue is very important in football and how that can be built up allows you to compete in the future."
