The chief executive of the North West Development Agency has called for a "fundamental economic appraisal" of a shared stadium between Everton and Liverpool football clubs.
Steve Broomhead told the Liverpool Daily Post the idea needed to be looked at, given the current economic climate.
He is due to meet with Kop Holdings, Tom Hicks's and George Gillett's company, which owns Liverpool FC, next week. "More and more, it looks like if we are to upgrade the sporting stadiums for Merseyside, the ground sharing option has to go back on the table," Mr Broomhead said
"A fundamental economic appraisal of a ground share is needed."
Mr Broomhead said he had seen little progress at Anfield in raising money for the new stadium.
His call follows that of Liverpool council leader Warren Bradley, who last week said the idea of a shared ground should be explored.
Last night, Everton FC chief executive Keith Wyness said he had discussed the issue with Liverpool FC chief executive Rick Parry at a Football Association meeting in Leicestershire and a shared stadium "was not on the agenda of either club".
But last night a spokesman for Liverpool FC declined to comment.
Mr Broomhead's intervention follows Liverpool, Sefton, West Lancashire, and St Helens councils opposing Everton FC's plan to relocate to Kirkby.
The £400m scheme, which includes a Tesco superstore and 50 shops, will go before Knowsley council's planning committee on Monday.
The huge amount of opposition to the scheme and the fact it runs contrary to town centre and retail policies, increases the likelihood of the Government calling a public inquiry.
Last night, Mr Broomhead would not be drawn on whether the plans should be "called in" for a public inquiry.
Meanwhile, Liverpool FC received planning permission for a new £350m, 60,000-seater stadium on Stanley Park last month.
The club is understood to have £60m to get started on the new ground, but work is yet to start.
Mr Broomhead said: "We continue to watch this with interest. We are not seeing any real progress at Anfield in raising the money for the new stadium.
"I have been invited to discussions at the end of next week with Kop Holdings."
He said he was looking forward to hearing about the ownership of the club and financing for a new stadium on Stanley Park.
"We also continue to talk with Everton FC and Tesco."
He said the agency continued to support both Liverpool FC and Everton FC in their endeavours to build new stadia.
"But you have to wonder about the vast amounts of money being spent, given the current market conditions for investment."
Last night, Mr Wyness said: "Having discussed the matter with my Liverpool counterpart Rick Parry, I can categorically state that a shared stadium is not on the agenda of either club.
"We have a series of criteria which any prospective stadium must meet, and a shared stadium does not meet that criteria.
"When Mr Hicks and Mr Gillett took over Liverpool FC, they made it perfectly clear they were not interested."
He said he still believed that moving to Kirkby was the only viable option for Everton Football Club.
Liverpool council leader Warren Bradley said: "The idea seems to be gathering momentum, and a lot of people are looking at it.
"I think the feasibility should at least be looked at."
Liverpool Labour opposition leader Joe Anderson said the idea would have been "inconceivable" 18 months ago.
"The fact is we have got to work in the real world and both clubs are struggling financially.
"Maybe that's uncomfortable for both clubs and fans, but it is something that should be considered."
Steve Broomhead told the Liverpool Daily Post the idea needed to be looked at, given the current economic climate.
He is due to meet with Kop Holdings, Tom Hicks's and George Gillett's company, which owns Liverpool FC, next week. "More and more, it looks like if we are to upgrade the sporting stadiums for Merseyside, the ground sharing option has to go back on the table," Mr Broomhead said
"A fundamental economic appraisal of a ground share is needed."
Mr Broomhead said he had seen little progress at Anfield in raising money for the new stadium.
His call follows that of Liverpool council leader Warren Bradley, who last week said the idea of a shared ground should be explored.
Last night, Everton FC chief executive Keith Wyness said he had discussed the issue with Liverpool FC chief executive Rick Parry at a Football Association meeting in Leicestershire and a shared stadium "was not on the agenda of either club".
But last night a spokesman for Liverpool FC declined to comment.
Mr Broomhead's intervention follows Liverpool, Sefton, West Lancashire, and St Helens councils opposing Everton FC's plan to relocate to Kirkby.
The £400m scheme, which includes a Tesco superstore and 50 shops, will go before Knowsley council's planning committee on Monday.
The huge amount of opposition to the scheme and the fact it runs contrary to town centre and retail policies, increases the likelihood of the Government calling a public inquiry.
Last night, Mr Broomhead would not be drawn on whether the plans should be "called in" for a public inquiry.
Meanwhile, Liverpool FC received planning permission for a new £350m, 60,000-seater stadium on Stanley Park last month.
The club is understood to have £60m to get started on the new ground, but work is yet to start.
Mr Broomhead said: "We continue to watch this with interest. We are not seeing any real progress at Anfield in raising the money for the new stadium.
"I have been invited to discussions at the end of next week with Kop Holdings."
He said he was looking forward to hearing about the ownership of the club and financing for a new stadium on Stanley Park.
"We also continue to talk with Everton FC and Tesco."
He said the agency continued to support both Liverpool FC and Everton FC in their endeavours to build new stadia.
"But you have to wonder about the vast amounts of money being spent, given the current market conditions for investment."
Last night, Mr Wyness said: "Having discussed the matter with my Liverpool counterpart Rick Parry, I can categorically state that a shared stadium is not on the agenda of either club.
"We have a series of criteria which any prospective stadium must meet, and a shared stadium does not meet that criteria.
"When Mr Hicks and Mr Gillett took over Liverpool FC, they made it perfectly clear they were not interested."
He said he still believed that moving to Kirkby was the only viable option for Everton Football Club.
Liverpool council leader Warren Bradley said: "The idea seems to be gathering momentum, and a lot of people are looking at it.
"I think the feasibility should at least be looked at."
Liverpool Labour opposition leader Joe Anderson said the idea would have been "inconceivable" 18 months ago.
"The fact is we have got to work in the real world and both clubs are struggling financially.
"Maybe that's uncomfortable for both clubs and fans, but it is something that should be considered."
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