Anfield has undergone a number of structural improvements recently to increase the capacity of the stadium, however the ongoing re-development was halted earlier in the year when their contractor the Buckingham Group went into administration.

The club moved quickly to appoint Rayner Rowen Construction and building work is now back underway, but speaking on the club's official website, Chief Executive Billy Hogan confirmed that the upper half of the stand would remain closed for the rest of the year.

"Over the course of the last few days it has become clear that in order to complete a thorough assessment of that project completion timeline, it’s going to take longer than really we first thought." Hogan said.

"The lower tier of the stand remaining open and the upper tier remaining closed until the end of the calendar year. Ultimately this is a decision that was made in order for us to give time for ourselves, for, as I mentioned, external consultants as well as for Rayner Rowen to continue with the assessment of the project and ultimately to finalise the project timeline."

The club had initially hoped that the upper tier would be open in time for the Merseyside derby, which takes place after the current international break, but Hogan confirmed that would no longer be the case and apologised to fans who had already purchased tickets.

"We are really disappointed to have to deliver this news and really sorry for all those supporters who are impacted."