Liverpool is set for a record-breaking crowd this weekend for the visit of Burnley to Anfield. The Reds saw their lead at the top of the Premier League cut to just two points following Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal.
Jürgen Klopp now has a week to prepare for the visit of Burnley on Saturday and his players will be eager to bounce back from only a second loss of the season. If all goes to plan, Liverpool could break a record that has stood since 1949 for the biggest attendance at a league game at Anfield. The current record is 58,757, set during a 2-2 draw with Chelsea.
The club has been working with Liverpool City Council to increase the stadium’s capacity to 60,000. This follows the completion of the £80m ($100m) redevelopment of the Anfield Road End stand, which opened to 58,000 fans in December.
There’s still some work to be done in the upper tier and away end to reach a total capacity of 61,000. However, the opening of new hospitality areas will provide a significant boost to matchday income.
The recent increase in capacity to 58,000 brought the largest crowds in 60 years. But the upcoming Burnley match could set a new club record. Before the Anfield Road End was developed, Anfield could hold 54,000 fans. The Main Stand redevelopment in 2016 added around 8,500 seats. With an extra 7,000 from the Anfield Road End, that’s a total increase of 15,500 seats. This should help Liverpool make over £100m ($125m) each year from matchdays.
When Fenway Sports Group became Liverpool’s owners, they had to decide whether to stay at Anfield or build a new stadium elsewhere. They chose to stay and redevelop Anfield to increase its revenue potential.
In the 2010/11 season, when FSG took over, Liverpool made $51.3m (£40.9m/€47.8m) from matchdays. By May 2022, this had risen to $108.8m (£86.8m/€101.4m). That’s more than double the income, even though the capacity has only increased by about 18 per cent.
The Main Stand redevelopment in 2016 cost $143m (£114m/€133m) but added 8,500 seats. This, along with a better matchday experience and improved corporate facilities, has helped Liverpool significantly increase its revenues.
