"Liverpool FC I believe understand that and would be naive and stupid not to want to go down that road. "But building a new stadium is not easy, it costs. Arsenal have shown that, and it's about getting that balance, and I think it's important that the public sector in this instance support that. "It's not just about supporting Liverpool as a business, it's about supporting Liverpool FC and what it means for wider regeneration. "We've been working with the club on the grant application to the RDA. This is not an issue between the council and the club, it's other agencies that have dragged their heels. "We speak to the club regularly, we've got a steering group, have meetings, staff are seconded up there. "The chief executives meet regularly, I've met Rick (Parry) regularly, they (LFC) are gearing up in the background and they are aware of how far advanced we are in trying to secure finally the approval from the NWDA." The NWDA's official line remains that it prefers the option of a joint stadium but said that was not precluding its consideration of other schemes. Mr Parker, though, was clear that a joint stadium was unworkable. He said: "There is no doubt there is not an appetite for a shared stadium between the clubs. There isn't the financial wherewithal necessarily at one of the clubs to be able to do things on an equitable and equal status. "This project has been stalled because of the finances of the project and I would like to hope that, in a matter of short months, we can get an approval so that in 2006/7 we can see activity start on the new stadium. "I have no reason to believe the club are not committed to the project." Mr Parker's comments put the ball firmly in the court of the NWDA as they assess Liverpool's application. A positive response from the NWDA would also release further financial support from the Objective 1 programme. Last night, Steve Broomhead, chief executive of the NWDA, said: "We are seriously looking at the proposal but I could not give a definite date for when we will give an answer. "What we are looking at is the outputs for regeneration if we put this public money in. This for us is about the regeneration of Anfield/Breckfield, not the stadium. "Our aspiration remains a joint stadium because of the wider economic benefits it would bring but that has not precluded us from looking at it." Liverpool FC declined to comment last night. | 
Article
HAVE your say on our Reds Messageboard - click