Liverpool Stadium Boost

Liverpool football club could yet move to a new stadium after a local councillor admitted that the club could be handed a further extension on their decision whether or not to take up a lease on Stanley Park.

The Merseyside club's new board of directors have been mulling over the proposition which had been made to the previous regime, though Liverpool's new owners, led by John Henry, were thought to favour redeveloping the current Anfield site. With a redeveloped Anfield proving more difficult than first anticipated Liverpool were keen to have a rethink on the Stanley Park proposal but are in a race against time with the local council imposing deadlines on the decision.

Speaking in the Daily Mirror this week, City council leader Joe Anderson has hinted that they may be prepared to offer an extension to the current deadline, though the future of the Anfield residents also has to be taken into consideration.

"We realize the issue over the lease is a difficult one for the football club, and we have already extended the deadline for a period of six months to allow time to explore all options," Anderson said.

"What we can’t do is give an open cheque and an open guarantee, because ultimately while we have a responsibility to the club and the fans, we also have a responsibility to the people in the Anfield area, who have been living in squalor for 10 years.

"But we recognize there are new owners who have to explore all decisions, and if they can demonstrate there is a real need for more time to make that decision, then we are prepared to extend the deadline further.

"From our point of view we have always had a good relationship with the club, and we’ll bend over backwards to do whatever we can to support the decision they make."