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Liverpool FC's expanded Anfield stadium will be “spectacular” when finished, the city’s Mayor Joe Anderson said.

Speaking ahead of the much anticipated release of the plans to increase the capacity from 45,000 to 60,000, the mayor said Reds fans would be “chuffed” with the outcome.

He insisted the revamp of the Red’s famous ground would breathe new life into the area, as well as the ground

The Labour leader said the club could submit a planning application for the rebuild by the end of May.

The club has already said it wants to carry out a three-year, £150m expansion of the Main and Anfield Road stands and is expected to reveal detailed plans imminently.

Mayor Anderson said: “The designs are going out very, very shortly and people will be extremely delighted and chuffed with the outcome.

“The whole scheme is not just about the redevelopment of LFC’s ground, which I think is going to be spectacular and as good as any ground in the country when it’s completed, as there will also be a hotel offering training in hospitality and refurbished shops and new units built.

“We’re also hoping to get local companies interested in relocating there.

“Through Stanley Park will be 96 Avenue, linking to the stadium and the new Circle of Life ring [Hillsborough memorial statue] we’re hoping potentially could go there.”

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It is understood the deal to buy homes in Lothair Road and Rockfield Road is almost complete.

“We’ve spent around £21m in the Anfield area, creating Anfield Village, properties in the Breck Road area, we’ve knocked some properties from two into one to create new homes, and a lot of that work is ongoing, rather than just burying our heads in the sand.

“We’ve also had the business of Gillette and Hicks [LFC’s previous owners].

“I made it absolutely clear we would give the new owners [Fenway Sports Group] a short period of time and then we would need to move on.

“In fairness to them they worked with us in partnership and with Your Housing [which owns a number of properties in the area] and they both deserve a lot of credit.”

The council has previously said it wants the whole project completed within four years.

“The consultation begins this week. The planning application will go in some time before the end of May. Hopefully once the planning application goes in, work will start quite quickly.

“It’s a long time overdue. We inherited this situation and we’ve solved the problems.”

The Mayor said he also hoped to support existing businesses in the area, including nearby pubs and shops, and did not anticipate many objections to the proposals due to the benefits they would bring.

He added: “I think the vast majority, I don’t see why anybody would be opposed to what we’re doing.

“The alternative would be to leave it in the decaying state it has been for the last 13 or 14 years.”

More Merseyside news today:

Teenage troublemaker 'Bogghead' sidesteps ASBO because of wording of order

Fresh-out-of-jail drug-addicted armed robber back behind bars after string of off-licences raids

Liverpool FC's Anfield stadium will be 'spectacular' when completed

Murder hunt after nanny's severed head found in bucket

Liverpool stabbing: Man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder

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