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The last thing any club wants is to spend millions of pounds on an asset they can’t use.
Liverpool, however, find themselves in such a situation as they prepare for the new Premier League season.
And it is one they have already had to get used to.
Four years ago today, the Reds played their first game in front of their impressive new main stand.
At a cost of £ 110 million, it wasn’t cheap. However, the construction was a cornerstone of Fenway Sports Group’s goals to modernize the club’s infrastructure and make Anfield more profitable on match days and beyond.
There was also the not inconsiderable fact that the volume inside the stadium would increase with 8,500 additional fans backing up alongside Jurgen Klopp.
What followed has exceeded all expectations, and not just in terms of revenue.
While the main grandstand had previously been a fun figure for many Reds fans due to the previous generation of subscribers sitting predominantly, the new availability has helped the grandstand move second to the Kop in terms of energy and color.
That was evident from the opening game, champion Leicester City crushed 4-1 in front of a crowd of 53,075, Liverpool’s highest attendance at home in nearly 40 years.
The Reds’ home record since then has been nothing short of remarkable.
In 76 Premier League games at Anfield, they have only lost twice: against Swansea City in January 2017 and Crystal Palace three months later. Since then, Klopp’s men have gone 59 home games in the top flight without losing.
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There have been some memorable national cup matches, notably the excitement of the youngsters emerging during the triumphs over Leeds United, Arsenal and Shrewsbury Town, along with two FA Cup defeats of their neighbor Everton.
But the best nights have been reserved for the Champions League, especially the knockdowns of Manchester City, Rome and Barcelona.
With that said, the last time fans were allowed into Anfield, they witnessed Liverpool’s reign as the European champions ended with a loss to Atlético de Madrid on March 11.
Supporters have since been banished, with the hope of a potentially suspended partial return next month, though confusion remains regarding the government’s advice to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
What is certain is that barring players and officials from both clubs and a handful of selected media, the Main Stand will once again be eerily quiet as Liverpool begin their bid to retain the Premier League title at home to promoted Leeds on Saturday night.
Expensive, yes, but Anfield’s review has long proven value for money. The sooner it can reopen, the better it will be, both on and off the field.
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