Fans' group Spirit of Shankly have condemned Liverpool's season ticket price rises for next season. On Friday the club announced a six-tier system, which will see prices increase by up to nine per cent in some areas of the ground.

"In the midst of austerity, with redundancies and cutbacks a daily reality for many supporters, these inflation-busting price rises are an insult to long-standing supporters who have already suffered a massive 716 per cent price rise since 1989," said a statement from the group, who recently launched a campaign to reduce away ticket prices nationally.

"Supporters in the Main Stand and Paddock endure facilities that survived the Shankly era redevelopment, with so-called "concourses" dating back to 1907, while the cramped seating in the Lower Centenary has been notorious since that structure was built as the Kemlyn Road stand in 1963.

"It is our guess that not one of Liverpool's multiple "owners" has ever watched a match from any of these seats and that none of them have ever availed themselves of the so-called "facilities" in the Paddock or Main Stand.

"If we are wrong, then more shame on them for believing £815 to £850 is fair price to pay for 'the product' on offer.

"While the announcement regarding Kop season tickets is a relief to many, it is our belief that ticket prices are already too high, pricing out many of those that kept the club on its feet during its darkest days."

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre, explaining the changes, told liverpoolfc.com: "Over the past two years the club has given careful consideration to ticket prices and pricing structures in consultation with the Supporters Committee.

"Following last year's price freeze this year we have reviewed our overall stadium pricing structure and, similar to many other Premier League clubs, from next season we will also be introducing a multiple-tier pricing structure which will more accurately reflect seat location and view."