After planning permission was granted in September, the Reds are now officially ready to start construction on improvements as they expand the ground to close to 54,000 seats

Liverpool have confirmed that work is set to begin on their expansion of Anfield’s Main Stand.

Since initial plans were announced by Fenway Sports Group in 2012 to revamp the Reds’ current ground rather than to build a new stadium, work has continued behind the scenes to realise the idea, with planning permission granted in September.

Last year’s Premier League runners-up say that, as previously expected, construction work will begin in early 2015 with a view to completion before the start of the 2016-17 season as they expand the stadium’s capacity to around 54,000.

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner said in a statement: “Since Fenway Sports Group took ownership of the club, we were committed to explore in depth all options for the future of Anfield Stadium. We listened to fans, the community, partners, the Supporters’ Committee and key stakeholders involved in the club.

“It was just over two years ago that we said our preference was to stay at Anfield and here we are today, announcing that the expansion is going ahead. We have made more progress in the past two years than in the last decade.

“Having experience of expanding Fenway Park and being through a similar and very successful project for the Red Sox, everyone at FSG is extremely proud and excited to be part of expanding Anfield Stadium.”

The stadium expansion is part of a wider redevelopment of the Anfield area and will see improved matchday hospitality in the new three-tier version of the stand, which will also house the Hillsborough memorial.

Liverpool revealed in April designs for how the finished ground is intended to look.