Liverpool are set to take a major step closer to a £150 million redevelopment of Anfield by submitting a planning application before the start of next season.
Managing director Ian Ayre has confirmed that plans are on course for the rebuilding program, which would see the Main Stand and Anfield Road End expanded, increasing the capacity to around 60,000.
That would potentially make the ground the second biggest in the top flight, behind the 76,000-capacity Old Trafford. Arsenal's Emirates Stadium is currently the next largest, as it can hold just over 60,000 fans.
The plans come soon after reports emerged that Manchester City are planning to increase the size of their Etihad Stadium to house as many as 54,000 fans.
Last October, Liverpool announced that they planned to stay at Anfield rather than pushing ahead with proposals for a new stadium in neighbouring Stanley Park, seeking to expand their current ground's 45,000 capacity.
But the expansion, going ahead in partnership with Liverpool City Council and social housing developer Your Housing, requires the purchase and demolition of homes that back on to the ground.
Ayre has indicated that negotiations to buy the last few of the 90 houses that need to be demolished are almost complete.
"We are in an interesting period in terms of our aspirations around the stadium," he told the Liverpool Echo. "Our goal is to extend Anfield. But we need certainty, and that comes with the acquisition of properties.
"Real progress has been made in acquiring them. Once they have all been acquired, we will go through the planning process.
"We would expect to be in a position to make that a certainty this summer. Once planning has been achieved, then we can start construction."
Ayre has indicated that the club needs to expand Anfield to increase revenue and allow them to compete financially with the Premier League's top teams.
"There are three core revenue streams - media, commercial and matchday," he added.
"Our media and commercial revenues are very impressive, but where we fall behind is our matchday revenues. Having a bigger stadium and playing in the Champions League are two mechanisms which would dramatically change our fortunes.
"We're determined to press on with the stadium solution. It's in the hands of other people, but hopefully we will get there and deliver what our fans want."
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