Liverpool ask Uefa to move Europa League games away from Anfield due to stadium redevelopment

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free

Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter

Please enter a valid email address

Please enter a valid email address

SIGN UP

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

Liverpool will ask Uefa for permission to play European matches away from Anfield if they return to the Europa League in the qualifying rounds because their stadium redevelopment will not be completed in time.

Anfield’s capacity would be severely reduced if Liverpool are required to play in the third qualifying round on 28 July and 4 August as the main stand will be undergoing its biggest stage of redevelopment, with concrete being relaid in the existing stand which is currently connected to the new stand behind.

With the Reds facing an early start to their 2016/17 should they qualify for the Europa League through their finishing position in the Premier League table, the club will consider asking Uefa if they can play their home leg at a nearby stadium, according to The Guardian.

Currently Wigan Athletic’s DW Stadium and Bolton Wanderers’ Macron Stadium are being considered, as is Blackburn Rovers’ Ewood Park, although Liverpool officials have already ruled out playing at nearby rivals Everton.

Liverpool may not qualify for the Europa League next season, but they are drawing up contingency plans in case they do. With Jurgen Klopp’s side set to miss out on the top four in the league, a Champions League berth could yet be obtained if they win the Europa League this season, although they face a difficult quarter-final tie with Klopp’s former side Borussia Dortmund.

Should they fail to win the European competition, Liverpool will need to improve their current standing of ninth in the league, and hope that the FA Cup winners finish in the top five along with already-crowned Capital One Cup winners Manchester City. That would require West Ham to win the FA Cup, with fellow semi-finalists Crystal Palace, Watford and Everton not in a position to challenge for the top five.

Should the Hammers win the cup and finish in the top five with City, Liverpool will need to finish seventh in order to secure European football next season.

However, if they win the Europa League and the Champions League winners fail to qualify for next season’s competition via league position, then the Reds would need to enter the Champions League play-offs which could take place at Anfield given the two-leg affair will be played on 16/17 and 23/24 August.

On top of the request to Uefa, Liverpool have also asked the Premier league if they can schedule their first two matches of the domestic season away from home in order to allow the main work to be completed on the main stand.