Liverpool were today given the go-ahead to build their redesigned stadium in Stanley Park.

The city council's planning committee granted permission to move the few yards from Anfield to a new home with a potential capacity of 76,000 — making it as large as Manchester United's Old Trafford.

Liverpool's new ground will initially hold 60,000 fans but further applications to add seats may be made.

The turf will be sunk 26ft into the ground allowing room for more supporters to be accommodated around the pitch.

Liverpool won permission for a 60,000-seater stadium in March 2006 but the club's new American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett were unhappy with the design so planners returned to the drawing board.

The new stadium will hold 114 executive boxes — twice the number in the original design — and will regenerate neglected Stanley Park.