Just to throw my .02 in on this matter.
I'm a foreign supporter, been supporting since Hodgson was our manager. Never seen us lift a trophy except the League Cup under Kenny. That is to say, I consider myself distinctly NOT a glory hunter.
I've seen Liverpool matches prior as my dad's a big time manc, but I didn't pay attention, didn't follow sport whatsoever.
What made me fall in love with LFC: tradition, history, the city and it's culture, and admittedly Gerrard.
My first match was against Cardiff a couple years ago. My match day experience was as follows:
Walk around Stanley Park, visit the LFC museum, visit the Shankly Gates and the 96 memorial, visit the Paisley Gates, go into the Albert for a pint, sing a song and head into the stadium for the greatest 90 minutes of my life.
I know that the Albert isn't officially part of the club, but at the same time in many ways it is; and personally, it probably will be for the rest of my life because of my experience at Anfield. It's been in songs (as mentioned above) and it's been in countless photos that foreigners like me see and dream of visiting it. Perhaps it's merely fortunate because of its proximity to the ground, but that doesn't make it any less special, imo.
I would be very sad to see it go.
I think once the regeneration is in full swing, or complete, the owners of the Albert will be motivated to renovate it or sell it to some one who will. Alternatively, the club should buy it, renovate it and turn a small profit on it, just to show that they care. I know I would appreciate that very much, and I'm sure a lot of people would give a humble nod of approval as the right thing to do.
Also, I don't think it looks bad from the digital regeneration images. If they get permits for match day outside seating, put TV's outside, I actually think it could benefit from all the open space around it.