Liverpool FC confident of new stadium before 2018 World Cup
LIVERPOOL are confident they will secure funds for a new stadium soon and be part of England’s World Cup bid, according to 2018 chief executive Andy Anson.
LIVERPOOL are confident they will secure funds for a new stadium soon and be part of England’s World Cup bid, according to 2018 chief executive Andy Anson.
A new stadium for the club, along with Everton’s rejected proposals for Kirkby, were included in the city’s proposals to stage games if the 2018 bid succeeds.
A new stadium for the club, along with Everton’s rejected proposals for Kirkby, were included in the city’s proposals to stage games if the 2018 bid succeeds.
Plans for Rafael Benitez’s team to move to Stanley Park have been hit by a number of delays, although Liverpool chief executive Christian Purslow was positive about funding when he met Anson last week.
Plans for Rafael Benitez’s team to move to Stanley Park have been hit by a number of delays, although Liverpool chief executive Christian Purslow was positive about funding when he met Anson last week.
Anson said: "Liverpool have a very convincing bid. It’s 2009 now and 2018 we’re talking about.
Anson said: "Liverpool have a very convincing bid. It’s 2009 now and 2018 we’re talking about.
"They are very optimistic that the funding for their new stadium is around the corner.
"They are very optimistic that the funding for their new stadium is around the corner.
"The fallback option is Anfield. They would clearly have to make improvements in the next nine years but it is there as an iconic stadium as part of their bid book. We’ll be evaluating their bid in that light."
"The fallback option is Anfield. They would clearly have to make improvements in the next nine years but it is there as an iconic stadium as part of their bid book. We’ll be evaluating their bid in that light."
Anson suggested that a viable solution would be needed in nine months, adding: "It’s when the inspectors come over by the end of August that we must have a solution that everyone buys into and that is 100% credible."
Anson suggested that a viable solution would be needed in nine months, adding: "It’s when the inspectors come over by the end of August that we must have a solution that everyone buys into and that is 100% credible."
The bid for Liverpool to be a 2018 host included Everton’s plans for Kirkby, which was rejected by the Government the night before the 15 cities made their submissions at Wembley.
The bid for Liverpool to be a 2018 host included Everton’s plans for Kirkby, which was rejected by the Government the night before the 15 cities made their submissions at Wembley.
Anson added: "I doubt they had time to rip out the pages."
Anson added: "I doubt they had time to rip out the pages."
Everton chief executive Robert Elstone was at Wembley for Liverpool’s submission to the selection panel of Lord Mawhinney, Anson and 2018 chief operating officer Simon Johnson.
Everton chief executive Robert Elstone was at Wembley for Liverpool’s submission to the selection panel of Lord Mawhinney, Anson and 2018 chief operating officer Simon Johnson.
Elstone afterwards admitted the club would consider a ground- sharing arrangement with Liverpool.
Elstone afterwards admitted the club would consider a ground- sharing arrangement with Liverpool.
He said: "It’s certainly one of the options that we will need to cover. A shared stadium is perhaps an option if it’s affordable."
He said: "It’s certainly one of the options that we will need to cover. A shared stadium is perhaps an option if it’s affordable."
Mawhinney, Anson and Johnson are due to announce between 12 and 18 stadiums on December 16, when Liverpool will find out whether any of the proposed stadia are accepted.
Mawhinney, Anson and Johnson are due to announce between 12 and 18 stadiums on December 16, when Liverpool will find out whether any of the proposed stadia are accepted.
The 2018 team itself has previously received negative publicity for in-fighting, being warned by FIFA vice-president Jack Warner for not being aggressive enough – and this week the shock resignation of Sir Dave Richards from the bid board. Anson insists now is the time to move on.
The 2018 team itself has previously received negative publicity for in-fighting, being warned by FIFA vice-president Jack Warner for not being aggressive enough – and this week the shock resignation of Sir Dave Richards from the bid board. Anson insists now is the time to move on.
He said: "It’s clearly not been helpful but we have to draw a line in the sand and build on today because there has been a groundswell of positive energy.
He said: "It’s clearly not been helpful but we have to draw a line in the sand and build on today because there has been a groundswell of positive energy.
"We owe it to them to get on the front foot and get behind the bid because I haven’t met one person who doesn’t want the World Cup here in 2018.
"We owe it to them to get on the front foot and get behind the bid because I haven’t met one person who doesn’t want the World Cup here in 2018.
Share
