Get the Echo newsletter - it has never been more important to stay informed Sign me up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Mayor Joe Anderson has offered an important update on Everton's Bramley-Moore Dock stadium plans - and praised the club's start to the season.

The city leader and lifelong Toffees fan spoke to the ECHO about the current state of play with the stadium proposals - and said there is a strong chance the club will take an alternative route to source funding for the project.

Mayor Anderson is hoping that Everton will go with his proposals - which would see the council use a low-interest Government loan to help fund the stadium in order to make a substantial annual return for the council.

But he said the club are continuing to look around at other options for who could provide them with the stadium cash - and said he will meet with majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri to discuss this next week.

(Image: Jason Roberts)

Mayor Anderson said: "Everton are not ready yet to have a deal with the city because they are still looking at other options and potential arrangements with other companies and people.

"That's fine, and I can live with that, but progress is being made in every other way - I know that Everton are absolutely committed to moving onto Bramley-Moore.

"I meet with them regularly, I am meeting Farhad Moshiri next week."

"Denise Barrett-Baxendale (Everton CEO) is a breath of fresh air - I think she is a national treasure - and she is working really hard with Keith Harris (deputy chairman) to make things happen."

Mayor Anderson said that, while things were not moving "as fast as he would like", he is confident that things are moving.

He added: "The stadium will really kick-start that whole area but things are moving in the right direction and Evertonians can be excited about having a waterfront stadium shortly.

He said: "We are in a good position as a council in terms of the site because, whoever it is that supports Everton in the development of the stadium will benefit the city, because it will mean that we will get new business rates, £1.5m from Everton themselves.

"And then all the other developments, the buildings, restaurants, cafés - all of those things that will be accelerated will give us £15-17 million in new business rates."

On the subject of a potential council deal, he added: "In terms of the deal we could do with Everton, we are clear that the due diligence that we have done is pretty strong to say that we can be protected and we can do the deal - but it's now in the hands of Everton who are seeking and talking to others.

(Image: Colin Lane / Liverpool Echo)

"It would be disappointing because we would lose £7m a year but, either way, it's a win-win for the city."

Season-ticket holder Mayor Anderson also offered his thoughts on Everton's promising start to the new season under new boss Marco Silva.

He said: "We are clearly making progress but I'm not going to get carried away.

"Richarlison is a special talent and he needs to be nurtured but there are others that are coming through and others that we have bought - I am really satisfied with what we have bought in during the transfer window. However, I was pleased this time last year with what we had bought and it didn't work out too well - so I won't get carried away.

"But I'm optimistic, I'm pleased with the start that we've made - I like the new manager and I think he will try to play attractive football but have a hard work ethic too."