Liverpool's "effort to bridge the gap" to Europe's elite sees the club taking its "most significant step in years" to do so off the pitch this week, according to Chris Bascombe of the London TELEGRAPH. A 17-year "toil to resolve Liverpool’s stadium issue" -- the last six under the ownership of Fenway Sports Group -- will end with the official opening of the £115M ($153M) Main Stand at an Anfield ceremony on Friday. Liverpool Principle Owner John Henry will be in attendance alongside FSG President Mike Gordon, Liverpool Chair Tom Werner, Manager Jürgen Klopp and "a host of legendary former players." Liverpool’s capacity is extended to 54,000 for Saturday’s visit of champions Leicester City -- "an increase of 8,500." The old Main Stand, which seated 12,000 spectators, "now boasts over 20,000 -- but the most significant numbers are expected to relate to matchday revenue." Liverpool has been trailing on around £59M ($79M), a figure the club hopes "will significantly increase" by £20M ($27M)-£30M ($40M) as a consequence of the upgrade. There is no escaping that the corporate supporter is, "unashamedly, the key component when a vastly different looking Anfield opens its gates this weekend." There will be 14 new exec boxes, "allied to immeasurable improvements to banqueting and conferencing facilities." Less than half of the new seats "are part of general admission." Somewhat surprisingly, the "much sought sponsorship deal attached to the new structure has not materialised" (TELEGRAPH, 9/6).
