The club and main contractor Buckingham Group have confirmed the upper tier of the new stand will not be ready for supporters for the start of the season.

Buckingham has been working on the £60m contract since September 2021 which will add an extra 7,000 seats.

Work has seen see the lower tier retained and refurbished with a new upper tier built above it.

Liverpool FC said: “Buckingham Group, the main contractor of the new Anfield Road Stand, has confirmed that although the existing stand will be open and operational for the Reds’ first home game of the season, the new upper tier will remain closed for the time being.

“It is anticipated that the additional capacity will be incrementally phased in during the course of future home fixtures.

“Following the Bournemouth game, Buckingham plans to increase the capacity, using the upper tier as part of the phased opening process which it expects to be completed in October 2023.”

Andy Hughes, managing director, Liverpool FC, added: “This has been a hugely ambitious and complex construction project right from the start and I would like to thank everyone who has played a part.

“Unfortunately, the upper tier of the Anfield Road Stand is not quite ready for the Bournemouth game. The main contractor, Buckingham, will therefore work with Liverpool City Council’s licensing team to deliver a phased opening process.

“As with any complex major construction project of this scale, there are always so many variables and challenges along the way.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding while we work through the next few weeks with Buckingham to complete this programme and we can’t wait to have this great new Anfield Road Stand fully open for supporters.”