LIVERPOOL must consign its fierce rivalry with Manchester to football matches if it wants to secure prosperity, the city’s deputy leader has urged.

Launching a new study into the region’s future, Cllr Flo Clucas said cities just 30 miles apart in countries such as the USA, Brazil and China would recognise they must “co-operate, not compete”.

She said any other approach was “doomed to failure” in the new “global village”, where modern technology and mass communication had changed the world beyond recognition.

She also argued for a wider “Irish Sea region” common economic area to develop green industries, adding: “The opportunity for new enterprise is significant.”

Cllr Clucas said: “Although we consider Liverpool and Manchester to be distinct cities, in many countries they would be seen as immediate neighbours.

“The historic rivalry between these two great cities should be consigned to history – or at least confined to the sports terraces.

“In reality, we will prosper if we confront our challenges together and co-operate to maximise our opportunities.

“Rotterdam, Marseille, Barcelona and Lyon are our competitor cities.”