Anfield Stadium has continued to be transformed over the summer and will be all set for the new 2017-18 season. More than 70 construction projects have taken place in and around the ground in the close season and work on the accessibility improvements announced by the club in January are nearing completion, making Anfield more accessible for supporters. Here is what fans can expect as we enter a new season... More than 250 wheelchair positions are available for disabled supporters, with improved viewing positions for visiting disabled supporters. The redevelopment work has seen an increase in the number of wheelchair bays from 195 to more than 250 positions, and added more than 150 extra amenity and easy access seats around Anfield. Substantial improvements for away disabled supporters, who for the first time will be seated in the away section. Structural improvements also include the creation of new lift shafts, removing structural walls, recasting ramps to more accessible gradients and converting lounge space into raised disabled seating areas. A new pitch to improve the overall playing surface. Improvements to the pitch include a new automatic irrigation system installed to help improve drainage from the pitch, and also a new undersoil heating system which will help aid growth and also prevent the ground from freezing during the winter months. A new flagship retail store. The store is another milestone in the regeneration of Anfield and forms part of Liverpool City Council’s plan to rebuild Walton Breck Road. With 19,500 square feet of total space, the new store will be more than twice the size of the current Anfield store and will offer fans a premium shopping experience with exclusive product ranges, plus a specially-designed first-floor café. Improved Fan Zones around the stadium. Improvements include the relocation of the Anfield Road Family Park, providing a much larger space for food and retail concessions and also activities for younger fans on matchdays. New mini Fan Zones on the corner of Walton Breck Road and Skerries Road, and the corner of Walton Breck Road and Venmore Street, will provide new food and beverage offerings and a great place for supporters to meet before the game and soak up the atmosphere of Anfield. Work on the club’s Anfield Forever project is also nearing completion, with the stones now sold out due to phenomenal demand. The area forms part of 96 Avenue and is a celebration of the club and its players, managers and global supporters, formed of specially-engraved granite stones. The stones comprise of fan messages and dedications. Each stone tells a different story and together create a memory walk that is welcoming to fans and visitors. Reflecting on the extensive work that has been conducted at the stadium, Liverpool FC’s operations director, Andrew Parkinson, said: “It has been a hugely successful summer in terms of delivering, and also the complexity of, these projects. These projects further demonstrate the commitment from our ownership to invest in Anfield. “The stadium accessibility improvements have been a big part of the upgrade works and we are pleased that we will now comply with the Accessible Stadia Guide for the number of wheelchair spaces and amenity seating around the stadium. “As a football club we are always striving to improve fans’ experience at Anfield on a matchday, and by making improvements to the Fan Zones around the stadium we hope that fans will be able to further enjoy the unique atmosphere when they visit the stadium. “As we continue to develop Anfield, our matchday team continues to grow and we now have over 2,200 people working on matchday, with 85 per cent of them from the Merseyside area. “We hope that our fans will benefit from the upgrade works and we look forward to welcoming them to Anfield for our first home game of the season against Crystal Palace on Saturday August 19.” Anfield stadium
It also looks like the new area for disabled supporters are at the back of the first tier of seating at either end of the King's stand.
Photos: Take a sneak peek inside LFC's new superstore As Liverpool FC's new superstore at Anfield nears completion, the club has today released exclusive imagery ahead of the official opening on Monday August 14. The finishing touches are now being put on the brand new store which, at 19,500 sq ft, is four times the size of Anfield's old store. Other key features include: 46 till points - a 130 per cent increase on the current store. Contactless and mobile payments will also be available to decrease queuing times on matchdays. 20 shirt printing machines, which will help reduce waiting times by around 45 minutes on matchdays. A specially-designed first-floor cafe that will open on non-matchdays and be converted into extra payment stations on matchdays. A VIP area where customers will receive a personal shopping experience when buying high-end products such as signed frames, jewellery etc. A fan activation space in the centre of the store which includes a stadium-like seating area using seats from the original Main Stand. Exclusive LFC products that will be launched throughout the year and only available in the new superstore. Branded New Balance and 47 Brand shop-in-shops featuring exclusive products. The colour scheme and materials used inside the store take inspiration from the architecture of Anfield and will incorporate design references from the original and current Kop as well as the expanded Main Stand. Take a sneak peek behind the scenes at the new store with our photo gallery below... LFC's new flagship store is set for an unmissable grand opening on Monday August 14. Starting from 6pm BST, a special two-hour event hosted by Capital FM duo Graeme Smith and Dylan Evans will mark the long-awaited launch of our newest retail location. Fans who wish to attend can park free of charge at Stanley Park. For more details, click here.
Fans are encouraged to plan how they will travel to and from Anfield this season as Liverpool get ready to kick off their 2017-18 Premier League and Champions League campaigns at home. Liverpool FC, Merseytravel and local transport operators are continuing to work together to help make matchday travel more convenient for supporters heading to the stadium. The club is encouraging fans to use public transport to travel on a matchday, which is the easiest and most efficient way to reach the game. There will be no additional parking available in the local area. Here is an outline of the quickest and most convenient ways to travel to Anfield this season. Bus Fans can catch the 917 express bus service, which will run direct from Liverpool city centre to Anfield every 10 minutes. The LFC Fan Support team will also be on hand to assist supporters using buses departing straight after the game. There is a discounted ticket price of £4 on the 917 express bus service, with fans receiving a discount on soft drinks at LFC kiosks within the stadium on presentation of their return ticket. From Liverpool city centre, fans can also take the 26 or 27 from Liverpool ONE bus station or 17 from Queen Square bus station directly to the ground. The 68/168, which operates between Bootle and Aigburth, and the 14 and 19 (from Queen Square) stop a short walk away from the ground. The 501 football service is also available and operates direct to Lime Street Station (Skelhorne Street) from Walton Lane for up to two hours after the final whistle. Adult fares are £2, children £1. Please note this service only operates post-match. Rail Lime Street Railway Station is two miles from Anfield. Fans can take a taxi from Lime Street (fares usually cost between £7- £9) or buses go from nearby Queen Square bus station. On matchdays, fans can also use the Merseyrail network to link with the Soccerbus service from Sandhills station, which operates direct to the stadium. Taxi Taxi pick-up points are available outside of the stadium and on major routes, making it easier to get home after the final whistle. Taxi One operates a taxibus service from St Johns Lane, Liverpool city centre direct to Anfield. A frequent service operates from three hours prior to kick-off. Taxi One return service operates from the corner of Anfield Road/Sleepers Hill opposite the Isla Gladstone conservatory back to the city centre. Walk Walking routes are signposted from Liverpool Lime Street and nearby Sandhills and Kirkdale stations to assist fans who travel to the game using local rail services. Cycle The free LFC Cycle Hub will return to Stanley Park for the 2017-18 season. The hub allows fans who cycle to the game to park their bike safely and securely with an attendant. Arrive early Fans are also encouraged to avoid the crowds and get to Anfield early to enjoy the Fan Zones, which are located in Paisley Square and Anfield Road. They are open four hours before kick-off and are ideal for supporters to meet before the game and soak up Anfield’s unique atmosphere. For more advice on travelling to Anfield, please visit www.liverpoolfc.com/gettingtoanfield, or check out our transport map below (click to enlarge).
Lionel, Out of interest, did you film that with your droid, or were you on the back of a motorbike or something ? Must say, the area is really seeing significant change, looks wonderful how it's being modernised, facilities being improved etc. Clearly lots still to be done, but it was never going to happen overnight, particularly if we intend playing at Anfield while redeveloping it. Hopefully the new store will have fast check out, as I know this has been an issue of frustration for many during peak times. Good to see recent mention of the enlarged score board and hopefully also time clock (we'll just have to make sure the scores look good now )
Yes, huge improvements in the area, and to be fair to the owners and the management at Liverpool FC at the time, the decision to take their time and make the right decision on progressing the stadium in conjunction with the council is benefiting the whole area and will do so for years to come. I'll report back on the new store after tomorrow as am interested in buying a particular polo shirt (without the betting sponsor) on it. As far as I know there have been no changes to the existing scoreboard. Here is a pic of the new one being put in place a few weeks back. I'll not be able top tell you how it looks tomorrow.
Look forward to your update .. I was sure I'd seen mention of a new scoreboard somewhere in the last few days, but off the top of my head I can't recall where and now I'm wondering if perhaps I ended up getting my wires crossed ?
I was in the kop today looking at the scoreboard as there wasn't a lot to look at on the pitch for long periods, and yes it does look pretty crappy...
Re new superstore... As a regular lurker on LFC store site Shop is a beauty but myself and mate had 1 purchase each in mind and both out of stock
Shop far to busy for my liking so, when I could not find what I was looking for, I just left it. Bought a book though. New scoreboard, not my picture.