Liverpool City council have today rubber-stamped LFC's planning application for the stadium expansion.
The two stage plan will initially see the Main Stand capacity increased by 8,300 seats, including a significant corporate increase, with the option of adding 4,800 seats in a renovation of the Anfield Road stand.
Construction can begin next year - with the increased capacity of stage 1 set to be in place for August 2016 - giving a potential attendance of around 54,000.
The planning application mentioned that international fixtures and European finals could be held at the ground - however this is dependent upon the Anfield Road 'stage 2' being completed.
Local residents have been blighted by the football club's policy over the past 20 years - which saw LFC buying up houses in the area only to leave them empty and boarded up - affecting the lives of fellow residents.
Residents also raised concerns about a significant increase in match-day traffic - something the club had little response for. At present many fans are forced into taking taxi's to the stadium from the city centre due to a lack of decent public transport.
Around 300 homes will be demolised, 250 new homes built and a 100 bed hotel constructed which would likely serve commercial clients around match-days.
