By David Lynch, Merseyside Correspondent

15th Jun, 2023 | 11:51am

Sources: Liverpool on course for game-changing Anfield development

An expanded Anfield will be ready to host Liverpool’s first home game of the new season against Bournemouth, sources have told Football Insider.

Works to add a further 7,000 seats to overall capacity at the Anfield Road end of the Reds’ famous stadium are currently entering their final stages.

But, with extra time needed to get the enhanced stand ready, Liverpool were forced to ask the Premier League to begin the 2023-24 campaign on the road.

That request was subsequently granted, with Jurgen Klopp‘s side set to kick off the season with a tricky trip to face Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea.

However, Football Insider understands there will be no further delays to their Anfield return, which is currently scheduled for a clash with Bournemouth on August 19.

This is in contrast to the start of the 2016-17 season, which saw Liverpool play their first three league fixtures away from home as a result of expansion works on the Main Stand.

That was partly granted by the Premier League but also owed much to Burnley allowing the reversal of their games against the Reds, the two teams meeting at Turf Moor rather than Anfield on matchday two.

There will be no need for a repeat of that turnaround this time, though, with senior Liverpool figures insisting a stadium that will at that point boast a capacity of 61,000 will be ready to host Gary O’Neil’s men.

Klopp’s side thrashed Bournemouth 9-0 the last time the two teams met at Anfield in what proved to be Scott Parker’s last game in charge.

However, they were beaten 1-0 in the reverse fixture, a win that played a large part in the Cherries comfortably escaping relegation under O’Neil.

In other news, Liverpool ready to strike midfielder deal – Klopp has made up his mind.