Liverpool Begins Stadium Work

Liverpool has begun preliminary work on their new £350m stadium, despite the ongoing boardroom wrangles between the two American co-owners of the Premier League club.

Liverpool has been allowed to proceed with the construction process under license until September while talks over the 999-year lease deal continue.

Co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have been in opposition to each other over the potential interest of Dubai consortium DIC regarding a takeover. However they displayed a sign of thawing tensions by making their first joint statement this year on the Liverpool website saying that their relationship was back on track.

Liverpool had been granted approval for a 60,000-capacity stadium, adjacent to their current Anfield home, in May but the new ground could accommodate up to 73,000 if further planning permission is granted.

The stadium, being built by Laing O’Rourke, is scheduled to open in August 2011 and will feature an 18,500-seat single tier stand for the Kop.