Liverpool FC have been searching for a new stadium for many, many years. David Moores’ principle reason for selling the club was because he could simply not afford to fund the move. Fast forward four years, and Liverpool are still no closer to moving out of Anfield.
Whilst Tom Werner has recently said that a groundshare with Everton is not an option, it is ludicrous that two clubs no more than a mile apart, both of whom are desperate to expand the capacity of their stadium, are not even considering the possibility of building a mutual home.
Stanley Park, the ideal situation for such a stadium, lies perfectly in the middle of Anfield and Goodison Park, two grounds which are desperately outdated when compared to the Emirates Stadium and Wembley.
Understandably, many fans of both teams would fervently reject the idea, not wishing to share their ‘home’ with a rival. The history of Anfield is revered worldwide and perhaps sharing a stadium with Everton, who themselves have an illustrious history, would jeopardise this.
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Nonetheless, teams across Europe have adopted a shared system to great effect. Inter Milan and AC Milan both occupy the San Siro, a sensational ground that annually hosts huge European nights. Likewise, Bayern Munich and 1860 Munich both play at the Allianz Arena in Germany.
If both Merseyside teams were to pump money into the project, companies would also see it as a better business plan to endorse the stadium with their name, due to the increased exposure they would gain by two teams playing in the stadium.
As divisive as it is, sharing a stadium with Everton is attainable and would solve a problem which has plagued both clubs for far too long.
This article was written by Kristian Johnson, and is courtesy of our partner website ourkop.com. Read the latest news and blogs about Liverpool FC at Our Kop. – ed
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I honestly don’t understand why this is still being written about as if it’s a genuine and real posibility, when the owners have already stated that, as the fans are 110% against the idea they aren’t even considering it.
*possibility.
Everton move into Anfield(short term) EFC rebuild Goodison. LFC move into the new Goodison (short term) whilst Anfield is being rebuilt. Both teams have redeveloped/rebuilt grounds. Timeline 5 yrs. This is the obvious idea that has never been aired. No team loses ticket income from games. Sure serious legal contracts would need to be signed to guarantee the agreement.
The problem was recently discussed at length. If a groundshare was going to work, both sides should contribute equally, but Everton have no money. So,should Liverpool FC build the stadium and rent it to Everton? Apparently this was discussed and Everton would only go into a groundshare if they had equal status to Liverpool as owners.
Selling naming rights would raise funds for a new stadium but with Liverpool’s worldwide following being much larger than Everton’s, a joint stadium would most likely reduce the amount any partner would be willing to pay.
So it looks, like Tom Werner says that the idea is dead in the water and we might as well forget it.
This has been muted for quite a while. I’m an avid LFC fan and if I take out all emotion and think of it as a business project it has some real limitations. Firstly LFC wil probably want a 65,000 stadium initially with potential for 80,000+. Everton with the best will will struggle to fill 65,000 and so will have a real issue with extending. LFC will want a hugh increase in corporate boxes and Everton will again struggle with this. This gives Everton a stadium which will still cost a huge amount but will not suit their purposes. Who would want to pay over the odds for a 2/3 full stadium?
So even with the best will in the world I’m not sure this works for Everton as LFC would become the defacto ‘main’ tenant of the stadium which dilutes their club’s stature.
But what about…
Who writes this crap!?? The Milan model doesn’t work. In fact both teams are now looking to move out of the San Siro and into there own respective grounds. Does the writer work for the council? or Everton, who are in a desperate situation than LFC and for them it is the only way forward. Liverpool should press ahead without the blue nose coat tail hangers. To share would dilute our prestige and perhaps allow Everton to claw back some finances for future team investment. That, is something no self respecting reds fan could possibly want.
EFC share Anfield whilst building a new Goodison the Lfc and EFC share the Goodison (50 000 seater or what they envisage they can fill). 10 000 ish more than the present Anfield. When sharing the new Goodison the new Anfield gets built (60 000+ seater). Both clubs share new history both clubs get new grounds and noone loses any match day revenue. Happy days. Done.
Build siamese stadia at Stanley Park, joined at the long edge to reduce site costs?
Don’t know if it saves much but each gets their own stadium and can build theirs when it suits them.
Sharing at San Siro does not work,they do not get on! It is not a successful arrangement!