Liverpool to quit Anfield

Liverpool plan to leave Anfield and build a new ground on nearby Stanley Park, the club have announced.

A 55,000-capacity stadium is planned which will cost between £60-£70millon and will be ready for the start of the 2005-06 season.

Original plans for a 70,000-seater stadium were shelved because the cost would hit £120million.

Anfield was originally the home to Merseyside rivals Everton, who began playing there in 1882 but left after a row about rent in 1892.

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry told the club’s official website, liverpoolfc.tv: ‘‘What we don’t want to do, and what we won’t ever do, is lose the focus that the team comes first.

‘‘We always want to ensure revenue is available for the manager to strengthen his squad.

‘‘That is one reason why we haven’t pressed ahead with our original plan for a 70,000-seater stadia.

‘‘We don’t want to have a huge financial millstone hanging around our necks.’’

Parry added: ‘‘There is still a lot of work to do though and a number of obstacles to overcome yet.

‘‘It will take time but I hope all of the fans are excited by what they can see.

‘‘Now that we have settled on this as our preferred option, we have to take the plans into the local community. This is a very important part of the process.

‘‘We have worked closely with the local residents so far and that will continue.’’