Liverpool will apply for a Safe Standing Licence for next season as the club get set to unveil a new-look Anfield in August.
The move will see the introduction of safe-standing areas across all rail seating sections on the Kop and in the lower Anfield Road stand from the start of the 2023/24 campaign, which will coincide with the venue playing host to crowds of up 61,000 following completion of a 7,000-seat expansion.
The Reds have had safe standing in place across the back of the Kop and parts of the Anfield Road end for the last two seasons and reviewed its effectiveness following the end of the season in late May.
Those findings have now led to Liverpool applying for a Safe Standing Licence from the Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA), who state that all stadiums with rail seating in place for more than two years must have a licence to continue doing so. The move was taken after discussions were held with the LFC Supporters' Board.
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The initial trial saw 7,800 rail seats installed on the Kop and the lower tier of the Anfield Road before a second phase added a further 2,500 rail seats to the Kop during last year's winter World Cup, which saw the Reds go without a home game between November 12 and December 30.
Liverpool could now become the seventh Premier League club to be granted the licence alongside Wolves, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, Manchester United, Brentford and Chelsea.
The next installation phase will take place this summer as the club continues to put the final touches on the £80m Anfield Road expansion project that began in late September of 2021.
A further 3,000 rail seats will be placed on the Kop, in the remainder of blocks 202-208 up to row 33 to take the total to 7,425 rail seats on the iconic stand. Kop.
Liverpool also plan to extend rail seating on the Kop next year to Block 102-108, up to row 13. Season ticket holders affected by the changes will be contacted directly.
The club's managing director, Andy Hughes, said: "Following an extensive review of our rail seating trial we’re delighted to confirm it has been successful and is now a permanent feature at Anfield Stadium.
“We also examined how effective rail seating is in terms of the health and safety of our fans, and we came to the conclusion that the management of rail seating areas would benefit from safe standing areas.
“So that’s why we have taken the decision to apply for a Safe Standing Licence, which will see the introduction of safe standing areas across all stadium sections with rail seating from next season.
“The health and safety of our supporters when attending matches at Anfield is, and always will be, paramount.”
Rumours circulated earlier this month that Liverpool were weeks behind on their plans to open a new-look Anfield in time for the first home game of the Premier League season against Bournemouth on August 19. However, the ECHO understands those concerns are misplaced and the club still plan on opening on time as scheduled.
