60 days ... and we'll start building work on the pounds 215m New Anfield; LFC buyers back Reds' new stadium.

Byline: By NICK COLIGAN, MARY MURTAGH&IANHERNON

WORK should start on Liverpool FC's new stadium within the next 60 days, say the club's new owners.

George Gillett and Tom Hicks announced their support for the long-awaited ground move from Anfield into Stanley Park at yesterday's press conference.

The Americans' backing for the pounds 215m project will come as a relief for residents, as the transformation of the Anfield area hinges on the stadium's construction.

Work must start in the spring because public money has been allocated to the regeneration element of the plan, and it has to be spent by the end of 2008.

Hundreds homes are due to be built around the 60,000-seater ground, replacing derelict, boarded-up housing.

The remainder of Stanley Park would be restored to its Victorian splendour, while the shop-lined Anfield Plaza would replace the club's current home.

Mr Gillett claimed New Anfield would be "the greatest facility in this sport", while Mr Hicks said the pair would bring in their own property experts to see if the proposal could be improved in any way.

The Americans also categorically denied their interest about a shared home with neighbours Everton FC had gone beyond Mr Gillett's first meeting with chief executive Rick Parry.

Mr Gillett said: "If we are to preserve the grants - and we are extraordinarily appreciative of the community grants - the shovel needs to be in the ground in the next 60 days or so.

"We intend to follow that. I think we will see the beginning of a big 'swimming pool' being dug out in Stanley Park relatively soon.

"We are very supportive of the Stanley Park plan and the building of a facility that we hope will be the greatest in this sport.

"One of the reasons for that is we operate some of the most successful buildings in the world, independent of our sports teams.

"We work hard on design, development and making sure the quality of the fans' experience is unparalleled. That is what this is really about."

With technical hitches briefly stalling the finalisation of the takeover yesterday morning, Mr Gillett and Mr Hicks wasted no time in receiving a briefing about New Anfield.

Mr Hicks said: "We took advant- age of the delay this morning and met with the project manager on the stadium, who has been working with Rick.

"He gave us a lot of insight to the unique planning circumstances.

"We have our own people to take a fresh look to see if, within the confines of what has been planned, to look at new ideas that would be good for the fans.

"We have been talking about some of these ideas, so this will come together very guickly."

New Anfield was given the go-ahead by Liverpool council three years ago, but spiralling costs placed a question mark over its viability.

The project successfully won a pounds 9m European grant last year to fund the regeneration of the area around the new ground.

But it must be spent by the end of 2008, or the money will be returned to Brussels.

CLUB shareholders can look forward to a cash windfall thanks to yesterday's sale.

But the taxman will want his money too, city accountancy firm Duncan Sheard Glass has warned.

DSG chairman and Liverpool shareholder Michael Pattison said: "Shareholders stand to make a windfall when the takeover of the club by

George Gillett and Tom Hicks is completed, with a payout of pounds 5,000 per share.

"However, it's not just the shareholders of Liverpool Football Club that will benefit from the American deal - but also the taxman.

"The windfall will mean that whatever shareholders receive will, subject to tax reliefs, be liable to capital gains tax.

"Smaller shareholders may not be affected if their capital gains are less than pounds 8,800 a year. Those with larger shareholdings that have been held for some time may find the position is more serious."

[e-mail]

CAPTION(S):

GREAT PLANS: Above, new Reds owners George Gillett (left) and Tom Hicks (right) on the pitch at Anfield, shaking hands with chief executive Rick Parry. Right, Gillett (left) and Hicks (right) with Parry, speaking to the press after completing the purchase of Liverpool FC;