Liverpool and Everton must share a new stadium if they are to be included within England's 2018 World Cup bid because "Anfield and Goodison Park do not fit Fifa's criteria. The leader of Liverpool City Council Warren Bradley, who says he has "seen the books of both clubs", told The Observer: "We've got to do something if we are serious about being a bidding city for the World Cup. I don't want to see everything migrate down the M62 to Manchester where there are two fabulous stadiums," he said, referring to Old Trafford and and Eastlands.

"There is a need for a 60,000 fit-for-purpose, 21st-century stadium in Liverpool. It would cost around £300m. Sure, we still have the tribalistic supporters in the city who would say, 'I won't sit in it after a Liverpudlian or Evertonian has.' But that's not the argument, is it? I don't see any reason why it can't work - it does so across the southern hemisphere, and in Germany, Italy and America."

The prospective stadium would be situated between the two clubs on Stanley Park, where Liverpool have said they would like to build their own new ground.

"What I've said is absolutely right and is now being amplified in the city in, business, at the clubs privately, and with the supporters. When you speak privately to different people at the clubs - at director level - they tell you what they think, but will never publicly go on record.

"There is a groundswell of support now that it is the only way forward for both football clubs."

Bradley believes that there is now no other choice. "We recognise the Fifa ¬criteria that both clubs must have 40,000-plus seats available to the paying public that doesn't include VIPs. I don't believe either club is in a position to satisfy that criteria, so therefore something needs to be done quickly."

Goodison Park is definitely too small, while Anfield's capacity of 45,000-plus may also fall short of requirements.