The last thing any club wants is to spend millions of pounds on an asset they can't use.
Liverpool, though, find themselves in such a situation as they prepare for the new Premier League season.
And it's one they have already had to get used to.
Four years ago today, the Reds played their first game in front of their impressive new Main Stand.
At a cost of £110million, it wasn't cheap. However, the build was a cornerstone of the aims of Fenway Sports Group to modernise the club's infrastructure and make Anfield more profitable on matchdays and beyond.
There was also the not inconsiderable fact the volume inside the stadium would be ramped up with an extra 8,500 supporters backing Jurgen Klopp's side.
What followed has surpassed all expectations, and not just in terms of revenue.
Whereas the Main Stand had previously been a figure of fun for many Reds supporters given the older generation of season-ticket holders it predominantly sat, the new availability has brought helped the stand move second only to the Kop in terms of energy and colour.
That was evident from the first match, champions Leicester City smashed 4-1 in front of a crowd of 53,075 - Liverpool's largest home attendance in almost 40 years.
The Reds' home record since then has been nothing short of remarkable.
In 76 Premier League games at Anfield, they have lost only twice - against Swansea City in January 2017 and Crystal Palace three months later. Since then, Klopp's men have gone 59 home top-flight matches without defeat.
There have been some memorable domestic cup matches, not least the excitement of youngsters emerging during triumphs over Leeds United, Arsenal and Shrewsbury Town, along with two FA Cup defeats of neighbours Everton.
But the finest nights have been reserved for the Champions League, particularly the demolitions of Manchester City, Roma and Barcelona.
That said, the last time fans were allowed inside Anfield, they witnessed Liverpool's reign as European champions ended by defeat to Atletico Madrid on March 11.
Since then, supporters have been banished, with hopes of a partial return next month potentially put on hold, although confusion continues to reign regards the Government's advice to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.
What's certain is, save players and officials from both clubs and a smattering of selected media, the Main Stand will again be eerily quiet when Liverpool begin their attempt to retain the Premier League title at home to promoted Leeds on Saturday evening.
Expensive, yes, but the Anfield overhaul has long proven value for money. The sooner it can reopen, the better it will be - both on and off the pitch.
