Liverpool FC's U.S. owners "will end the club's 10-year stadium saga" by committing to develop Anfield as a refurbished 60,000-capacity venue, including 7,000 corporate seats, according to Harris & Miller of the London DAILY MAIL. The club has said publicly that "no final decision" has been made between refurbishment and a new stadium, but detailed plans "are in place" for a phased expansion of the Main Stand and then the Anfield Road stand. The work is expected to cost about £150M ($244M), a huge saving on the estimated £400M ($649M) that a new stadium in Stanley Park would cost. However, an estimated £50M ($81M) has been spent by the club on designs and planning for a new stadium. Naming rights "might have helped to subsidise a new venue," but no suitable deal has been found. The council believes that "official confirmation on the refurbishment is imminent" from Owner John Henry's Fenway Sports Group. A council spokesperson said: "It does seem to be the case that the club have decided to stay at Anfield and that Liverpool officials are preparing to confirm the decision" (DAILY MAIL, 9/23).
