LIVERPOOL FC will strip Manchester United fans of one-third of their tickets for Anfield matchdays after persistent problems with away supporters standing during their clashes.

United’s total share of tickets will be slashed from 3,015 to 1,965, with spare seats being given to home supporters.

The decision to close one section of the Anfield Road stand was taken by Liverpool council's licensing committee after a recommendation form the city's Ground Safety Advisory Group supported by LFC.

The club said Manchester United fans constantly stand in the gangways running from the back of the stand to the touchline, raising potentially serious safety issues.

Standing has been banned at football matches since the Taylor Report into the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, which claimed the lives of 96 Reds fans.

Liverpool FC stadium manager Ged Poynton told the meeting the problem was particularly bad with United fans, but also showed photographs of Newcastle United fans at the ground.

They did not appear to be blocking the gangways in the same way as Manchester United fans.