Liverpool FC's Anfield Road closure plan to face final decision

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Liverpool FC were accused of a “betrayal of trust” with the community around their stadium after the brakes were put on their plans to permanently shut a road outside their ground to cars.Part of the highway on Anfield Road between Alroy Road and Skerries Road was initially closed in the summer of 2021 as work got underway to expand the stand on the same side of the Reds’ famous stadium. Councillors pushed back on the plans, with some accusing the club of betraying the community in its hope to keep the road closed for good.The proposals will go back before the committee at the Town Hall next week having been deemed acceptable.

Cllr Billy Marrat, who represents Anfield ward, took aim at the club’s approach to the road and the residents during last month’s meeting.He said: “This is a complete betrayal of trust by LFC to local residents and the community in general. My personal thought along with many residents is that LFC never intended to restore Anfield Road back to the way it was with traffic flowing both ways and they wanted a pedestrianised area around the ground for tourists, visitors and fans alike.”Consultations by way of surveys issued during the application indicated a lack of support from the community for the scheme, with 66% against the change in September 2024.

This rose to 74% in March 2025 when a second questionnaire was issued.A site visit will be conducted by members of the committee ahead of a final decision being made next Tuesday.Further information provided since the original committee meeting last month supported the case for the vehicle route remaining closed from a highway safety and ground safety perspective.Officers have deemed the plans to remain acceptable and are recommended to be approved.Merseyside Police told officials Liverpool Football Club works closely with the Counter Terrorism Security Advisor (CTSA) and Counter Terrorism Policing North West to reduce vulnerabilities from a terrorist attack against people and the stadium.Visual protective security mitigation measures include Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) bollards that are currently installed. The council’s building control officials said the closure should be maintained to reduce the risk of a potential road traffic collision and any deliberate targeting of the stadium, as outlined by the police.Additionally, changes to hardstanding around the ground would lead to limited access for fans accessing the stadium.