Tuesday 23 September 2014 19:02, UK
Liverpool have received a major boost in their plans to significantly expand Anfield's capacity after the city's council granted approval for redevelopment work.
The Reds hope to increase their famous ground's capacity from nearly 46,000 to more than 58,000, with the work set to take place in two distinct phases.
Phase one will see a third tier added to the main stand with the addition of nearly 8,000 more seats, while phase two - which has so far received only outline permission - will focus on increasing the size of the Anfield Road stand, where away supporters are housed.
Some local opposition to the plans was voiced, with concerns over traffic congestion, the height of the new main stand and the potential effect on local businesses all raised.
Sky Sports News HQ reporter James Cooper explained the club was adopting a low-key approach to the news, with two previous schemes having fallen through.
"It's certainly an important day for Liverpool Football Club," said Cooper.
"They see this as a major step forward rather than a day of celebration; it's a case of once bitten twice shy."
Work could start as early as January 2015, with phase one of the redevelopment hoped to be ready in time for the start of the 2015/16 season.
Once completed, the redevelopment would see Liverpool play in the third biggest ground in the Premier League with only Manchester United's Old Trafford (76,000) and Arsenal's Emirates Stadium (60,000) enjoying larger capacities.
