A groundshare is the only logical option for the city at the moment, but it won’t happen because of the tribalism of the support. I found TopCat’s post rather amusing – I think s/he fundamentally fails to grasp how much financial trouble Liverpool are in, and that when Gillett and Hicks bought the club their entire strategy was predicated on getting the ground built fast – to generate a new revenue stream to offset the ongoing debt financing.

Speaking to a few more clued-up Liverpool supporters this week, there is a suggestion that any potential buyer for Liverpool would wait until they were on their last legs and RBS/Wachovia were effectively holding a (metaphorical) gun to Hicks/Gillett’s plural heads, thus getting the club for much less than it is currently valued at.

As for Everton, there is a genuine concern on their part in the idea that the club’s identity might be dwarfed by the much bigger Liverpool franchise (as its owners regard it).

In a city where only one club can play on a given weekend, where one ground stands empty every week, and where there are two top-flight clubs with no quality stadia between them (neither Goodison, nor Anfield for that matter, compare to the top English club grounds) it’s an an open and shut case for a groundshare.

But it’ll never happen.

I’m an Evertonian and I can full well see the merits of a groundshare. It happens all over the world.

Right now it’s a non starter because Everton are waiting to find out if the government will allow them to move to Kirkby, and LFC think they can still do it alone.

But if Everton get refused permission then I think it will right back on the agenda.

Many fans might not like the idea, but if Kirkby fails then what?

As for LFC the American owners are currently trying to raise the finance to retain ownership. Funding a new stadium is on the back burner.

If the city council and the NWDA could put together a package that involved both clubs putting in an equal amount that was affordable could they really refuse? It would of course need to be a fully redesigned stadium from the designs that LFC have drawn up.

Let’s face it football, now more than ever, is about cash. Everton is not flush and LFC is becoming more and more heavy with debt.

I think TopCat raises an interesting point about Reds not wanting to share with Everton. But like I said above it’s not like the arrangement would just be beneficial to Everton.

But for now let’s wait and see what happens with the Kirkby plan.

There is no way that a groundshare will happen.

Everton would be more open to it than Liverpool for sure…their financial clout is non-existant and they have been unable to find a ‘suitable’ site within the Liverpool boundary causing massive outrage amongst their fans. Many would prefer a share within Liverpool, compared to a stadium of their own in Knowsley. However, I think this is irrelevant; it takes two to tango!

While Liverpools finacial situation isn’t too rosy either, the current owners will feel they can turn it around yet. Whether that be through re-financing (which isn’t out of the question…especially given G&H’s eagerness to sell their other US sporting ‘franchises’), or through external investors coming in they will feel they can still build the ground by 2012.

The other option will be they sell up to new owners who will hopefully have the clout to start building straight away.

Either way, they won’t ever share a ground, and Bradley needs to give up his continual bloody ramblings!