Liverpool have asked for their new Premier League season to start away from home.
Work on the Anfield Road Stand’s redevelopment is set to conclude during the summer with a view to the new structure being operational by mid-August.
But the Reds will still have to demolish the existing structure as well as hold test events for the 7,000-capacity expansion to meet its safety guidelines.
Anfield officials previously made a similar request to the Premier League for the new Main Stand’s construction, which was finalised in summer 2016.
Unlike that situation, however, Jurgen Klopp’s side anticipate playing only their first top-flight fixture on the road instead of the opening three.
“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,” said Liverpool’s vice-president of stadium operations Paul Cuttill.
“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.
“There is an element of pitch work, to make sure it has recovered from the roof being removed and the work which takes place on the pitch during the close season.”