The British government will cut the basic sales tax on Monday from 17.5 to 15 per cent to in an attempt to kick-start the economy.

While incorporating the Value Added Tax reduction, Liverpool said it is going further by taking 1 pound (S$2.30) off Anfield game tickets to match cuts made a day earlier by crosstown rival Everton.

'We recognise these are very difficult times for many people and wanted to help with a reduction for our supporters beyond the cut in VAT,' Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said.

Tickets in the popular Kop stand have dropped to 36 pounds (S$84) for matches against top opposition like Chelsea, while seats elsewhere in Anfield are now 38 pounds.

With upcoming matches against West Ham and Hull sold out, the change comes into effect when the Reds host Bolton on Dec 26.

The global credit squeeze has led co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr to stop building work on a new 60,000-seat stadium on land adjacent to Anfield. An area of the building site has been reclaimed as a car park for Anfield visitors.

'The current situation in the financial world has made it prudent to delay it for an immediate period of time until the money market eases up,' Mr Gillett said. -- AP