Liverpool and Everton discuss groundsharing

Liverpool and Everton have been involved in initial talks over the possibility of sharing a ground.

The city council and the Northwest Development Agency have urged the two Merseyside giants to give consideration to the issue as public money could be made available for such a project.

Liverpool are poised to submit a planning application at the beginning of October for a stadium in Stanley Park, while Everton's long-running bid to move from Goodison has so far proved unsuccessful,

A statement from Bryan Gray, chairman of the NWDA, said: "The Agency are supportive of Liverpool Football Club's plans to build a new stadium and are keen to ensure that the development brings the greatest possible benefit for the city and the wider north west.

"We are also aware of Everton's ambition for a new home. Hence, discussions are taking place between NWDA, Liverpool City Council and the two football clubs.

"No early outcome is expected and the decision will not affect Liverpool Football Club's intended application for planning permission."

Anfield chief executive Rick Parry said on the club's official website, www.liverpoolfc.tv: "NWDA support for our stadium project is key to its success, which is why we were happy to meet them.

"It gave us the opportunity to explain just how far advanced our plans are and reiterate our commitment to Stanley Park, the amount of work undertaken and considerable investment that has already gone into the project over the last three years.

"The stadium will be a central pillar of the regeneration of north Liverpool, which is why the club do not want to consider any other sites proposed within the city. The NWDA's support for those plans is very welcome indeed."

He added: "We understand why the NWDA wish to raise the issue of groundsharing, but we also understand the fundamental importance of this issue to our fans and their emotional concerns about a shared ground.

"In the meantime, it's business as usual and we will continue to press ahead with our own stadium proposals in the Park."