The stadium designed by American architect HKS is expected to hold 60,000 fans but depending on improvements to the local transport infrastructure could be extended to 80,000 in the near future.

The central importance of the Kop has also been recognised with a hugely increased capacity to 18,000 seats in a single tier stand.

The stadium represents an investment of around £300m by the Club in North Liverpool.

A full planning application to build the stadium was submitted to Liverpool City Council in July.

Always regarded as favourite to win the contract, Laing O’ Rourke is expected to begin construction before the beginning of 2008, with the stadium scheduled to open in 2010.