Liverpool hope to submit a planning application for Anfield stadium redevelopment before the end of the season.
One of the key, final hurdles preventing the formal unveiling of plans - which would seek to expand the iconic arena to an estimated 55,000 capacity - could be removed in the next eight weeks.
Liverpool City Council today released a consultation document which, if agreed with politicians and residents by April, would facilitate the broader £260m regeneration of the Anfield area, of which the stadium is an essential component.
After so many setbacks in their stadium projects - primarily under previous Kop regimes - current owners Fenway Sports Group have studiously avoided making any promises or announcing specific deadlines for work to begin at Anfield.
The Merseyside club is still cautious about making any public declaration on time scales or the nature of their designs, but has welcomed the next significant stage of what has been a time-consuming and often frustrating process.