Liverpool to begin construction work on new stadium in April

Work on Liverpool's new stadium in Stanley Park could begin as early as April 2010, the leader of Liverpool City Council has told BBC Radio Liverpool.

Warren Bradley said Liverpool have told the council they are "very close now to securing the finances".

He added it would be "in April that hopefully, fingers crossed, we'll see some activity on Stanley Park".

Construction on the new site in Stanley Park, which is next to the Reds' current Anfield Stadium and has a planned 60,000 capacity, was frozen in August 2008 after preliminary work because of the global financial conditions.

But in September Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks insisted it would go ahead once the financial situation improved, and Liverpool City Council leader Bradley says the club is now confident of securing the required cash in the first three months of 2010.

"What they've said is they'll secure the finances in the first quarter, so that's between January and March," he told BBC Radio Liverpool.

"We've been pressing Liverpool Football Club to ensure that they deliver the stadium and if they're not going to deliver it, to come clean with the council so we can look at other options," said Bradley.

"Liverpool Football Club have come back to us and said they're very close now to securing the finances and they want to move on as quickly as possible, not only for the World Cup bid but also for Liverpool Football Club, who see a new stadium as being the heart of the business plan."

Poignant

31 Dec 09, 03:00

Everton and Liverpool City Council back in talks over new stadium

Everton have confirmed they will enter into new talks with Liverpool City Council on January 11th over a new stadium.

The £400million development of a 50,000-seater stadium, in partnership with Tesco in Kirkby, collapsed last month after government intervention.

Now Everton will want to see what new venues for a stadium inside the city boundaries will be suggested by the council.

It is considered that redeveloping the current Goodison Park site is far too expensive.

Everton's Head of PR Ian Ross said: "Throughout the Destination Kirkby process, Liverpool City Council always made it clear that if the project was to fail they would step forward and seek to help us.

"As a consequence, a working group is to be formed and meetings held to actively explore all the options and possibilities which are open to Everton.

"Despite the disappointment of seeing our proposed move to Kirkby collapse, we, as a club, remain convinced that a move to a new home is not only the right way forwards but the only way forwards.

"Of course, it does remain to be seen if the City Council can provide us with the level of help and assistance which we will require if we are to locate to any new stadium within the Liverpool boundaries but we will enter these preliminary talks with a measure of optimism."

zocoss

31 Dec 09, 11:58

Pool already owe $240m... Now with this new stadium, top that up by at least another $300 million?

They can earn a reported $100m on Torres, Gerrard and Masch if they fail to qualify for the CL... City are waiting to give them money... It could be tempting to the 2 Americans especially with Gerrard coming to the end of his top level career.

Poignant

31 Dec 09, 12:01

actually 240m is nothing to what those two retards owner have in total.

they're just plain stingy luh, or rather got no love for the club at all.

they need to learn from mr Roman on how to become a good owner.

Poignant

31 Dec 09, 12:02

oh ya, another thing is it's really disgusting to share the stadium with everton.

i dont want to see a 'milan' in england.

sg_forum

31 Dec 09, 12:22

the owners are businessman afterall, they loves money more than the club.