Liverpool: Liverpool, Everton to share ground?

Liverpool and Everton will hold talks with sports minister Richard Caborn on Wednesday over the possibility of sharing a new stadium against a backdrop of fierce opposition by fans to such a move.

Everton supporters have rejected any suggestion of renting a stadium from their neighbours and bitter rivals, while Liverpool club officials insist they are committed to single ownership of a new ground.

Liverpool already have planning permission for a new 60,000-capacity stadium in nearby Stanley Park but are around 30million short of meeting the 110million cost and are due to announce debts of 21million at their AGM on Thursday.

They have applied for a grant from the North West Development Agency but in doing so have had to agree to talks on the possibility the ground could be shared.

It is understood Liverpool would be happy to allow Everton to share the ground under a rental arrangement, but that is regarded as unacceptable by Blues fans.