City leaders made the case to be a Host City to World Cup bid inspectors this morning before taking them on a whistle-stop tour of sporting, cultural and tourism facilities.

They are one of 15 cities and towns across England bidding to be part of the tournament if England's campaign to host it is successful.

Steven Gerrard, Liverpool's captain who played at the 2006 World Cup and is integral to England's 2010 qualifying campaign, said: "Having played in a World Cup I saw first hand exactly what it meant to the cities involved and I'd love to see that happen in my home town.

"Liverpool is a massive footballing city and a World Cup in England without Liverpool is unthinkable."

David Moyes, Everton's manager, said: "I have absolutely no hesitation in throwing my weight behind Liverpool's bid to be a host city for the World Cup.

"Football really matters to people here; it's something which is much more than a pastime - it is a genuine passion.

"It would be unthinkable for England to stage a World Cup without this city being a key player.

"I would urge everyone in the city - be they Blue or Red - to get right behind this bid.

"We can't afford to miss out on what could be a magnificent event."

Liverpool's bid to be part of England's World Cup application to FIFA is led by Liverpool City Council.

The city has submitted an outline bid based on Everton and Liverpool both having two new stadia by 2018.

Both clubs are currently trying to arrange moves from their current grounds at Goodison Park, which has been Everton's home since 1892, and Anfield, which was opened in 1884 and which Liverpool have played at since 1892 after Everton left.

Liverpool's proposed move to Stanley Park (pictured), first mooted in 2002, has stalled because of the current economic crisis.

Everton's plan to move to a new stadium in neighbouring borough Knowsley as part of a project called 'Destination Kirkby' which would include the United Kingdom's sixth largest Tesco supermarket has met opposition from fans and local residents.

The plans have been 'called in' for a public inquiry and the outcome will be known by late November 2009 following a decision by Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Goodison Park hosted five matches during the 1966 World Cup, the last time that England hosted the tournament, including the semi-final in which West Germany beat the Soviet Union 2-1.

The 25-page bid document submitted to the FA also highlights the strength of grassroots football, Liverpool's transport and accommodation offer and ability to host a month-long festival of football.

A final bid has to be submitted to England's World Cup bid company by November 2009. England will announce its Host Cities in December and will put forward its official bid, containing between 12 and 18 stadia that meet FIFA criteria, in May 2010.

FIFA will announce the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup in December 2010.

Warren Bradley, the Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: ''You can't envisage the World Cup coming to this country and Liverpool as a city not being one of the hosts.

"Liverpool is one of the great footballing hubs of world sport.

"Our clubs, their players and fans, have shaped and enriched the game for more than a century and involvement in the game at the grassroots is second to none.

"This bid is about building on that tradition, to promote the game to a new generation and help England secure and deliver a fantastic tournament.

"This is also a competition against other UK cities and we need both Evertonians and Liverpudlians, and football fans in general, to show their support for the city on the website.

"Like for the Capital of Culture contest, I'm sure if we unite our passion for the game we will have a very special 12th man in our bidding team."

As well as two new stadia, Liverpool's case for inclusion in England's submission to FIFA focuses on the city's support and involvement in football at every level and its track record in hosting major international events such as European Capital of Culture 2008, The Grand National and The Davis Cup this September.

Rafa Benitez, the manager of Liverpool, said: "Everybody knows the passion people in Liverpool have for football.

"Their knowledge and appreciation of the game is known throughout the world and matches being staged in Liverpool would be a huge boost for a World Cup played in England.?"

Bill Kenwright, the chairman of Everton, said: "If you go anywhere in the world and say you are from the great city of Liverpool, you are met with a standard response - they say 'football and The Beatles'.

"Liverpool is synonymous with football - it is utterly inconceivable that England could stage a World Cup without the city being a major venue.

"Everyone on Merseyside - whether they are football supporters or not - should get right behind this bid. 2018 could turn out to be the biggest party in the world - and we want an invite."

Colin Hilton, the chief executive of Liverpool City Council, said: "This World Cup bid is a huge opportunity for Liverpool and will cement the legacy of all we have achieved in the past 10 years, in terms of harnessing our cultural and sporting offer to regenerate the city and make it a better place live, work and play."

Steven Broomhead, the chief executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), said: "This is an important bid for all football fans, the people of the city of Liverpool and the Northwest region.

"In 2006 the FIFA World Cup in Germany generated over two million visitors and £600 million in economic benefits.

"I would urge everyone to register their support for England 2018, and show we have the passion and drive to hold a successful World Cup."