Liverpool FC: Work starts on ‘significant’ improvements to Anfield pitch

A project to improve the pitch at Anfield Stadium is now underway.

Liverpool FC are enhancing the playing surface ahead of their first home game of the 2017/18 campaign on August 19, when they take on Crystal Palace.

The stadium’s ground staff are installing a new ‘Permavoid’ automatic irrigation system to improve pitch drainage, allowing the surface to be watered in less than three minutes prior to kick-off.

LFC’s home ground will be the first UK stadium with the system.

The pitch is also getting a new undersoil heating system to aid growth and prevent the grass from freezing over in the winter.

The undersoil heating will be delivered by more than 19 miles of pipes, with eight heat and moisture sensors helping staff monitor the conditions and maintain an optimal growing environment.

Additionally, over 40,000 km of grass fibres – composed of 97% organic grass and 3% artificial, are due to be stitched into the sand underneath the surface.

The club’s operations director, Andrew Parkinson, said of the project: “We have a number of significant projects ongoing across the stadium during the summer months.

“The pitch renovation is a major piece of work which the whole team are really excited about ahead of the new season.”

He continued: “This is another significant investment at Anfield making further important improvements like installing state-of-the-art drainage and irrigation systems that will ensure our players have the best playing surface for the seasons ahead.”