The Premier League fixtures are due to come out on Thursday 15th September, but neither Liverpool nor Luton will be hosting the first game of their season due to construction works being undertaken at both stadiums.
Liverpool have spent £80m over the summer in order to renovate the Anfield Road stand on Merseyside, in a move that will take the capacity of the stadium to 61,000 people, the second largest ground in the country. However, to give themselves some time to finish it, they have requested that the first game of their season be away from home.
‘We are on track and on budget,’ vice-president of stadium operations Paul Cuttill said. ‘The progress has gone really well and we’re due to complete by the end of July, with a view to being ready for the first home game of the 2023-24 season.
‘It’s not been confirmed yet but we’ve asked for the first game to be away, which will mean the first home game is August 19 or 20.’
‘It just means we have the best possible chance to make sure the stadium is ready, that we have had test events which are licensed and good to go.’
Luton Town are in a similar position, with their home stadium Kennilworth Road needing some significant upgrades. Having been promoted via the Play-off final a fortnight ago, the ground needs to undergo around £10m worth of upgrades to make it broadcaster friendly, though no new seats will be added.
