Rafael Benitez and Steven Gerrard today revealed their delight after Liverpool was nominated as a host city for England's 2018 World Cup bid.

Bid Chairman Lord Mawhinney today named Liverpool as one of 12 cities to form part of the country's bid for 2018, with either Anfield or a new LFC Stadium making the final short-list.

London, Manchester, Sunderland, Birmingham, Nottingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Bristol, Plymouth and Milton Keynes were the other cities selected as potential hosts to World Cup football in nine years time.

''Liverpool is such an historic footballing city I'm not surprised we've been chosen," said Gerrard, as he prepared for tonight's Anfield clash with Wigan Athletic. "I'm 100% behind England's bid and I'd love to see World Cup games played here."

Manager Rafael Benitez added: "It's great news. This city lives and breathes football and if England are successful it will be a fantastic stage for World Cup games."

Liverpool's nomination has been described as being like 'a Cup victory the whole city can enjoy, with a £200m windfall expected to boost the city if England's bid is successful.

'Liverpool eats, drinks and sleeps football and today's decision is one of those happy occasions which unites us all and one which every fan - be they blue or red - can celebrate," said Warren Bradely, leader of the City Council.

"For a player, to be chosen to represent your country is the highest honour in football and the feeling is no different as a city. Liverpool is delighted to have made England's World Cup bid team - it's easily the best Christmas gift we'll get this year - and I'd like to thank everyone who made it happen from our Premier League clubs, County FA and NWDA to our bid ambassadors and everyone who supported us.

"Of course, the hard work begins now but this decision has put a huge spring in our step and we will be pulling out all the stops to help England win the ultimate goal and bring the biggest sporting event to these shores in 2018."

England's decision comes just 24 hours after Liverpool's 2018 bid team, which included Christian Purslow, Liverpool FC's Managing Director, and Robert Elstone, Everton FC's Chief Executive, made its final case for selection at England's HQ.

Liverpool's bid - based on the theme of One City One Goal and presented in a 259-page document - focused on the city's world class tourism and cultural offer, Liverpool and Everton's intention to build new stadia and a programme to encourage more people of all abilities to either play or coach the game.

The bid, which includes detailed plans of Fan Fest Sites, a four-year themed programme to 2018 and legacy projects, also had the regions support with proposals that Blackburn, Preston, Tranmere and Wigan Football clubs' stadia act as training venues during the 2018 tournament.

England will put forward its official bid in May 2010 and FIFA will announce the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup in December 2010.

Info from : www.liverpoolfc.tv

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