Liverpool Football Club (LFC) has revealed plans to increase the capacity of Anfield to over 61,000, with the increase in capacity of the stadium's Anfield Road Stand by over 7,000.

The plans would make Anfield the third largest stadium in the English Premier League, behind Manchester United's Old Trafford and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

In addition to extra seating, new sports bars and lounge hospitality areas would be included in the development.

As part of the plans, the opportunity will be explored for permanent permission to hold concerts and other major events at Anfield, including other sporting events such as Gaelic games and American football outside of the matchday calendar.

A first-stage public consultation exercise on the proposed expansion, the approach for which was revealed in August, has been opened.

"For any expansion to the Anfield Road Stand to go ahead we need certainty on three key areas," said Andy Hughes, LFC’s chief operating officer.

"Firstly, that we are able to reach agreement with local residents, businesses and community groups that they will allow the expansion plan to take place, which will mean closing a short section of Anfield Road between 96 Avenue and Skerries Road.

"Secondly, that we have the right sustainable financial and economic model in place to deliver a long-term sustainable Anfield. And lastly, that we are able to successfully navigate the complex planning landscape. We need to be satisfied on all three points for work to proceed.

"We are working towards creating an expanded Anfield Road Stand which will see around 7,000 additional seats.

"The majority of these seats will be for general admission use and we expect some seats will be allocated for a sports bar/lounge-type hospitality in order to ensure the economic viability of the expansion.

"Further profiling is needed and we expect to provide more detail at the second-stage consultation early next year.

"These first-stage consultation sessions we are holding are crucial as they will be used to inform the design proposals we are developing, which in turn will help us to make a decision on whether to proceed with the expansion as a whole."

The first-stage public consultation on the proposed expansion is inviting feedback until midnight on Friday 13 December. A second stage of public consultation will follow in early 2020 when more detailed plans will be available.

Liverpool FC reveals plans for Anfield stadium expansion