Premier League - 'Siamese stadium' in Liverpool?
Eurosport - Mon, 10 May 12:30:00 2010
Buzz Up!
Liverpool and Everton could share a revolutionary 'Siamese stadium' under new plans revealed by a business consortium.
The Merseyside rivals would effectively have separate grounds in Stanley Park connected by a central spine housing collective facilities, according to proposals released to the Liverpool Echo.
Mersey Stadia-Connex group, who are behind the idea, claim the design could save the clubs between £180m-£220m, while allowing them their own stadia.
The blueprint proposes a 60,000-seater ground for Liverpool and a 50,000 capacity for Everton, to be completed as soon as 2013. The 10-story spine includes a 300-bed hotel, hospitality facilities, 150 executive boxes and a huge underground car park.
A spokesman for the Mersey Stadia-Connex group said: "We need to reach the prospective new owners of Liverpool FC to inform them about this sensational investment opportunity.
"Most fans will understand the many advantages and financial implications. This scheme differs from all previous concepts during the last decade in that we believe it manages to achieve all the clubs' objectives."
However, an Everton spokesman sounded a sceptical note about the idea, telling the Liverpool Echo it was "unworkable, unaffordable and undeliverable".
Liverpool announced a £55 million annual loss last week and have identified a move to a larger stadium as a key requirement to improve the club's finances.
Their plans for a new ground in Stanley Park are on hold while co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks attempt to sell the club. Various proposals have put the stadium's capacity between 55,000 and 73,000. Anfield's current capacity is 45,362.
A club spokesman said: “We remain committed to building our new stadium in Stanley Park.”
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