Kieran Maguire drops 'spectacular' Liverpool verdict after source's £80m Anfield reveal
Liverpool will accept the lost revenue from delaying the Anfield expansion to make sure the stand is 'spectacular' when opened up.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the consequences of delaying Anfield's expansion.
The Reds initially hoped that their expansion to Anfield Road would be completed for the side's opening Premier League home match against Bournemouth on 19 August.
However, Liverpool announced last week that the expansion has been delayed and a new completion date of October has been set.
Football Insider revealed that Liverpool will lose a minimum of £1.5million in matchday revenue from the stand being closed for a handful of home matches.
The expansion cost £80million and is set to add 7,000 seats, increasing the overall stadium capacity to 61,000.
Maguire emphasised that fan safety has to be prioritised over speed when it comes to stadium expansion.
"The important thing for Liverpool as far as the Anfield expansion is concerned is that they get it done right rather than quickly," Maguire told Football Insider's Sean Fisher.
"The additional 7,000 seats realistically work out at about £50 per head at a premium price.
"It’s not a huge amount, but if it is half a dozen matches then it is likely going to cost them £1.5-£2million.
"It is not a critical loss.
"The important thing for Liverpool is that fans feel safe.
"They will gradually be expanding the capacity and holding test events to ensure it is a spectacular event when opened fully for the first time."