Reds making contingency plans.

Liverpool FC is prepared to look elsewhere for a place to build the new stadium. The reasons for this are given as the higher than expected costs for the stadium and the opposition to building on Stanley Park. The sites for consideration are not being disclosed but Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has ruled out the Kings Dock site wanted by Everton as the site is not big enough for Liverpool's' ambitious plans. Mr Parry confirmed that the club is still committed to building a new ground in the shadow of the old one but they need to make alternative plans in case this falls through.

Liverpool has held discussions with residents about the proposed switch several hundred yards to a new ground on the Stanley car park. Mr Parry described the dialogue with the Anfield community as going "terrifically" He said "I still think the idea of a stadium as a focus for regeneration of the area is a good and valid one but it is only going to work if the majority of the community wants it. If they don't and it's clear that they don't, the blunt reality would almost certainly be that the stadium is not going to happen. Now we are not at that stage but we have to open up to the fact that it's possible."

Liverpool councillor Joe Kenny, a critic of the Stanley Park scheme, said: "It is suddenly dawning on the club that it will have a fight on its hands if it thinks it can build on Stanley Park. It makes sense for them to look elsewhere and I am glad that the club is doing that.16/01/2001

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