Three landlords currently stand in the way of a £260 million (€307m) regeneration of the area, which would include the expansion of the historic stadium to 60,000 seats

The mayor of Liverpool claims the people of Anfield have been “let down too often in the past”, as stadium development plans drag on, but remains hopeful that the project will soon be completed.

Three landlords currently stand in the way of a £260 million (€307m) regeneration of the area, which would include the expansion of Anfield to 60,000 seats, and failure to reach an agreement could delay plans for a further two years.

With four of the six houses owned by the landlords described as “derelict”, and the remaining two not occupied by the owners, mayor Joe Anderson is hopeful a deal can be reached without the need for compulsory purchase orders (CPOs).

“We have had overwhelming support from local residents and businesses for our plans and there is unarguable public interest in driving these proposals forward.

“The people of Anfield have been let down too often in the past. We will not let them down again.

“We remain confident that we will be able to acquire properties without having to resort to CPOs but want to get agreement for them should they be required.

“The legal justification for CPOs, should they be needed, is unequivocal.”

In addition to redevelopment of the stadium, there are plans to create new housing, shopping facilities, a hotel and a public square, as well as a pedestrian-friendly boulevard named 96th Avenue in memory of the fans who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster.

The Reds announced last year that they had opted to remain at their current home rather than build a new stadium in Stanley Park.