The high-profile expansion of the Anfield Road end would take the capacity of Anfield from 54,000 to above the 60,000 mark, making it the third-largest ground in the Premier League, alongside the reinvigorated Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Discussion around the new building work isn’t in competition with other clubs, however – it’s about the push from fans to get more people into Anfield, in order to watch the Reds on a weekly basis.
Plenty of supporters are waving the flag for the increased seating plan to allow more children into the ground, alongside affordable pricing.
The old Boys’ Pen allowed the younger generation of Liverpool fans to watch their beloved team for just under 18p and opened three hours early before kick-off.
The Boys’ Pen began in the 1920s, when it was situated in the Kemlyn Road stand and ran alongside the pitch up towards the Anfield Road end.
After the aftermath of World War II, it was moved towards its more well-known position at the back of the Kop.
Young lads would congregate, sing songs, berate the opposition, stand on crates to see the pitch and then go home. All for less than 20p!
The memories that youngsters made in the Boy’s Pen would last longer than a match itself, but with the ever-changing face of modern day football, these individuals are now at the bottom of the list.
Nevertheless, the Boys’ Pen wasn’t the safest place in the world for a young football fan and that’s what Liverpool can learn from when looking at what to do with the increased capacity of the Anfield Road end.
A section solely for young people, in order for the atmosphere at Anfield to be improved on a regular basis, makes sense, bringing a new generation of supporters inside the Reds’ world-famous ground.
As it stands, it’s becoming far too apparent that they are going to believe football is only a television programme, through no fault of their own.
It’s the fault of the people at the top who are sticking with what they are doing and not changing for the good of the fans.
Let’s hope that changes and Anfield can become an even more intimidating stadium to visit.
