Source: Liverpool_Echo
David Prentice: No World Cup in 2018 brings issue of Everton’s stadium problem into sharp focus
THE World Cup won't be coming to Merseyside in 2018.[LNB]Which at least spares Everton the embarrassment of explaining how a football club which staged a semi-final last time the tournament came to this country, wouldn't even be hosting a group game in eight years time.[LNB]Liverpool was granted host city status last year, but it was Liverpool Football Club, not Everton, which was handed preferred stadium status.[LNB]The reasons were clear. Anfield is a modern, well appointed football ground with a capacity of almost 45,000.[LNB] Goodison Park is a beautifully atmospheric old relic, well past its sell-by date.[LNB]When the bidding process for the 1966 World Cup was taking place, Anfield was a little like that - an 'eyesore' according to their brash new Scottish manager - 'not good enough for the public of Liverpool.'[LNB]It's improved since then, of course, but not so much that one of the major problems the new American owners must grapple with is still how best to redevelop their stadium.[LNB]If that's a problem for Liverpool, it's a nightmare for their neighbours.[LNB]And it's a nightmare which has been 20 years in the making.
