Steven Gerrard, Liverpool’s captain who played at the 2006 World Cup and is integral to England’s 2010 qualifying campaign, said: ‘’Having played in a World Cup I saw at first hand exactly what it meant to the cities involved and I’d love to see that happen in my home town. Liverpool is a massive footballing city and a World Cup in England without Liverpool is unthinkable.”
Everton manager David Moyes added: “I have absolutely no hesitation in throwing my weight behind Liverpool’s bid to be a host city for the World Cup.
“Football really matters to people here; it’s something which is much more than a pastime – it is a genuine passion. It would be unthinkable for England to stage a World Cup without this city being a key player.
“I would urge everyone in the city – be they Blue or Red – to get right behind this bid. We can’t afford to miss out on what could be a magnificent event.”
Councillor Warren Bradley, leader of Liverpool City Council, said: “You can’t envisage the World Cup coming to this country and Liverpool as a city not being one of the hosts. Liverpool is one of the great footballing hubs of world sport.
“Our clubs, their players and fans, have shaped and enriched the game for more than a century and involvement in the game at the grassroots is second to none. “This is also a competition against other UK cities and we need both Evertonians and Liverpudlians, and football fans in general, to show their support for the city on the website.
“Having ambassadors of the calibre of Gary, John and Phil is a huge boost for the city’s bid. Not just in raising the profile but demonstrating that all three major football clubs on Merseyside are fully behind the bid and working hard to impress the World Cup bid committee and the FA.”
As well as two new stadia, Liverpool’s case for inclusion in England’s submission to FIFA focuses on the city’s support and involvement in football at every level and its excellent track record in hosting major international events such as European Capital of Culture 2008, the Grand National and the Davis Cup this September.
Outside the professional game Liverpool has one of the UK’s largest network of amateur leagues with 1,500 junior teams (23,000 registered players) and 700 adult teams (11,500 players).
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: “Everybody knows the passion people in Liverpool have for football. Their knowledge and appreciation of the game is known throughout the world and matches being staged in Liverpool would be a huge boost for a World Cup played in England.”
And Everton chairman Bill Kenwright said: “If you go anywhere in the world and say you are from the great city of Liverpool, you are met with a standard response – they say ‘football and The Beatles’.
“Liverpool is synonymous with football – it is utterly inconceivable that England could stage a World Cup without the city being a major venue. Everyone on Merseyside – whether they are football supporters or not – should get right behind this bid. 2018 could turn out to be the biggest party in the world – and we want an invite.’’
