Liverpool have taken the decision to expand the amount of rail seats on the Kop by 2500.
Rail seating was first introduced at Anfield before the start of last season with 7800 installed on the Kop and across the lower tier of the Anfield Road end.
Liverpool have now opted to continue the trial further with work continuing this week on establishing more rail seating in the iconic stand. The additional seats will be placed across blocks 206-306 to take the total up to 4,300.
The work will take over a month to be completed with the club feeling the break in play for the World Cup was the ideal time to undertake it. Season ticket holders whose seats will be impacted by the change will be contacted in due course, Liverpool say.
Managing director Andy Hughes said: “Following a review of the initial rail seating trial last season, we will now expand the trial and introduce rail seating in additional areas of the Kop to further address crowd safety and persistent standing in line with SGSA guidance.
“The health and safety of our supporters when attending matches at Anfield is paramount. As we have said before, it is essential that we listen to the experts and deliver their recommendations to address this important safety issue.”
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Rail seating was initially installed after a review from the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) highlighted the need to address the issue of persistent standing on both the Kop and in the Anfield Road during games.
Liverpool were one of five Premier League clubs to run the trial following a recommendation from the SGSA last summer and the club sent a personal letter to all the Hillsborough families, giving them all the relevant information about the trial before its formal announcement in June 2021.
The seating installed at Anfield includes normal stadium seats with an integrated safety rail behind them to avoid a crowd collapse and the seats do not impact visibility. The design is to enable supporters to stand safely only at key moments of a game, say the club.
The ECHO was at Anfield earlier this week to oversee the ongoing work and Liverpool say it will take five weeks in total to complete with Jurgen Klopp's men not back in action at home until Leicester City visit on December 30.
Liverpool consulted with the recently-established LFC Supporters Board and found positive feedback on the initial phase of the rail seating trial that began with the pre-season friendlies against Osasuna and Athletic Club in August 2021.
The move marks further alterations to the ever-changing face of Liverpool's famous ground as work on the £80m expansion of Anfield Road also continues on site. Contractors Buckingham Group remain on course to complete the project in time for the start of next season when Anfield will play host to 61,000 fans.
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