LIVERPOOL is to hold its very own “World Cup” to boost its bid to be a host city if England is chosen to stage the real tournament in 2018.

The World In One City Community Cup will use the same format as its more famous cousin, with players forming 32 “national” teams based on their cultural backgrounds.

The mini world cup is backed by both Liverpool and Everton football clubs and will be held on the weekend of May 22, a week after England submits its 2018 bid to FIFA.

The community cup will take the form of a free-to-enter seven-a-side tournament for over-16s, with each team including at least four players with origins in the country they are representing.

Their links can go back to the birthplace of their grandparents, much like Liverpool-born goalscoring legend John Aldridge, who played for the Republic of Ireland in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups.

He was joined by ex-Everton FC star Graeme Sharp – who played for Scotland at the 1986 World Cup and has made Liverpool his home – to launch the international festival of football.

Aldridge, who won 69 caps, said: “Knowing Liverpool’s passion for football, I’m sure this tournament will be a great success. No city is more football oriented than Liverpool – it kept us going when the city didn’t have much to shout about otherwise.”