Liverpool have won planning permission from the city council to start redeveloping Anfield.
The council planners have voted in favour of the club beginning phase one of the redevelopment plan, which will see the Main Stand extended.
The club are looking to add an extra 8,500 seats, taking the Main Stand capacity to nearly 21,000, and the overall stadium capacity to 54,000.
Proposals for phase two of the plan would see the Anfield Road stand increase capacity by around 4,800 seats.
Construction work on the main stand is due to begin next year, and should be completed for the opening of the 2016-17 season.
Matches will continue to be played at Anfield whilst the redevelopment goes ahead.
Joe Anderson, mayor of Liverpool, said: “This is a very important milestone in our ambitions to transform the Anfield area, bringing new jobs, investment and housing.
“The overall regeneration will see £260m invested in Anfield. Liverpool Football Club’s proposals for the stadium are a key part of this. The club is a major employer in the area and its stadium is a major draw for tourists and visitors.”
Ian Ayre, Liverpool chief executive, said: “We’ve received very positive support for our proposals during a public consultation exercise earlier this year and whilst we are delighted about the progress made today, there are still some steps that we need to navigate through in order to give us the certainty that we need to proceed with our expansion plans.”
