Use your head like Sadio and subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Work has officially started on the redevelopment of Liverpool FC’s Anfield stadium home.

Workmen were on site this morning as the first “spade in the ground” was due to go in on the major revamp, which will eventually see an extra 13,000 seats added to the ground’s capacity.

It marks the end of a lengthy process which has led to the demolition of entire streets behind the Main Stand, which will gain 8,000 extra seats, and forms part of a wider development of the Anfield area.

It will also include a new concourse outside the ground and a sensitive relocation of the Hillsborough Memorial and Shankly Gates, along with new lounges, corporate boxes, ticket offices and shops.

Life-long LFC fan Matt Reiner was there to see work get under way and said it was "brilliant" to see the new stadium getting started and that he was "looking forward to seeing it done".

Jon Holmes, of nearby Burnand Street, said he was excited to see the project start.

He told the ECHO: "The area needs a good new start. The club could have moved away from Anfield but they stayed in their home. They bring so much to the area."

Trucks were seen moving in early this morning, setting up the construction site and putting up fences.

Speaking last week ahead of the work starting, club chief executive Ian Ayre said the area would be “a building site” as the development, set to be completed by the start of the 2016/17 season, goes ahead.

Video: Anfield redevelopment gets underway

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

He said: “We have the ability to get this thing started and get it built.

“That will be fantastic - but it will also come with its own challenges.

“We will have a huge building site and a huge construction project going on as we play every game through the remainder of this season and the season beyond.”

The news will come as a boost to Reds fans ahead of the club’s crunch Champions League meeting with FC Basel at Anfield tomorrow.

The Reds need to win to progress, and Brendan Rodgers has spoken to generate a fervent Anfield atmosphere to revive memories of the club’s European glory days.

He said: “For us, we could not have wanted any more than to go to Anfield on Tuesday night needing to win the game to get qualified. It’s perfect.

“We would have wanted to have done better, but we still have the chance. The most important thing is to qualify.”

In pictures: Anfield through the ages

Read more stories of the Anfield stadium development here