Stadium stat: £300m investment (enlarge image)

Radio City can unveil the stunning designs for Liverpool Football Club’s new stadium in Stanley Park.

 

Club officials released the plans today which coincide with the submission of the official planning application to Liverpool City Council.

 

The new bowl shaped model is set to open in 2010, with the initial capacity set to be 60,000. The design does allow for future expansion which could see the capacity eventually increased to the high seventies.

 

Architects have embraced parts of the existing Anfield by incorporating an 18,000 single tier Kop stand.

 

The stadium represents an investment of around £300 million by the Club in North Liverpool.

 

Chief Executive Rick Parry has paid tribute to the role new owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have played in the design process. Speaking to Radio City’s Phil Cooper, he says it’s a unique project to be involved with. Watch the interview below for FREE – click play to begin the video…

 

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Parry added: “We’re creating a stadium that not only the Club and supporters can be proud of, but something the whole city can be proud of. Liverpool as a city is on the move and deserves world class developments like this.

 

Kop end: 18,000 seats (enlarge image)

 “The asymmetric design sets it apart from other new stadia, as it is a clear move away from what is becoming the traditional bowl model. It recognises and makes reference to the fact that English football grounds were historically asymmetric. We make no apologies for that, we’ve gone out of our way to embrace that culture and it works exceptionally well for both the new ground and its location within Stanley Park. This new design will be unmistakably Liverpool and instantly recognisable as our stadium.

 

“We’ve also recognised the central importance of the Kop. It will have a significantly increased capacity of 18,000 seats in a single tier structure that will be the heartbeat of the new stadium. The rake of the stand will be steeper and the seats tighter together, with the acoustics of the roof designed to accentuate the atmosphere during games.”

 

Stadium stat: 2010 open date (enlarge image)

Steven Gerrard said: “To be honest I knew it was going to be great but after spending five minutes looking at the plans I was just completely blown away by it. We are Liverpool Football Club and we expect the best and this will be the best.

 

"I’ve played in some special stadiums but this is something special and it’s so important that we are not seen to be copying off another club.”

 

Jamie Carragher added: “Everyone is excited by the new plans. They are spectacular. We’ve got a great stadium at the minute in Anfield, but the designers have come up with something completely unique. I’ve never seen a football ground like it and that’s what makes it so special.”

 

Rafa Benitez added his voice of support to the new stadium design: “The facilities the new stadium will provide are going to ensure that the future of this club is a great one and this is what our fans deserve.”

 

Xabi Alonso concluded by saying: “Liverpool is famous for the atmosphere generated by its fans and from looking at the pictures I’m sure the new stadium will be just as atmospheric, if not more so. Anfield is really special, we all know that, but the new stadium will be a great one and I’m looking forward to playing there.”

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