That tiny upper tier of the Anny really was shit.
I seem to remember the height being restricted due to right to light for nearby houses.
I'm not sure that's true (about it being shit). I've never been in there but I'm told it's one of the best kept secrets of Anfield (how good the view is)? I remember a story that it was submitted for planning as twice the height (or even triple-tiered) but that doesn't make sense now that I think about it because a third tier would have been super steep.
Anyway and for the same reasons (angles and sightlines of the extension - not to mention the truly awful views from underneath at the back), it's got to go.
The average person is certainly a lot wider than when I was on the standing Kop.
On the subject of safe standing and any future potential for 1:1.8 ratios, this would surely need a lot of work with the concourses, entrances, stairwells etc? And how would the structure cope supporting the weight of another 10000? At an average of 70kgs thats another 700 or so tons?
If you mean fatter that's true. I can remember having no problem in the Kemlyn Road as a grown lad (the one time I was in there) but now... hence the new guidelines for increased distance front to back. The kop is about 600mm. Guidelines are now saying 800/850mm. Generally speaking, people aren't that much taller - as the average age has got older, it's the sitting down distance from fat backside to bulbous knee that's the issue.
But you're absolutely right. More people, more weight, excess escape times = more/wider escapes.
I loved those days, I've been in the old Kop when there was a LOT more than the supposed 24,000 allowed in there. We were all skinny fuckers in those days though, I doubt you'd fit 20,000 modern people in the old kop these days 
Always remember how proud we were to be 'match fit'!
