Liverpool are confident they will secure funds for a new stadium soon and be part of England's World Cup bid, according to 2018 chief executive Andy Anson.
A new stadium for the club, along with Anfield and Everton's rejected proposals for Kirkby were included in the city's proposals to stage games if the 2018 bid succeeds.
Plans for Rafael Benitez's team to move to Stanley Park have been hit by a number of delays, although Liverpool chief executive Christian Purslow was positive about funding when he met Anson last week.
Anson said: "Liverpool have a very convincing bid, it's 2009 now and 2018 we're talking about.
"They are very optimistic that the funding for their new stadium is around the corner.
"The fallback option is Anfield. They would clearly have to make improvements in the next nine years but it is there as an iconic stadium as part of their bid book. We'll be evaluating their bid in that light."
Anson suggested that a viable solution would be needed in nine months, adding: "It's when the inspectors come over by the end of August that we must have a solution that everyone buys into and that is 100% credible."
The bid for Liverpool to be a 2018 host included Everton's plans for Kirkby, which was rejected by the Government the night before the 15 cities made their submissions at Wembley.
Anson added: "I doubt they had time to rip out the pages."
Everton chief executive Robert Elstone was at Wembley for Liverpool's submission to the selection panel of Lord Mawhinney, Anson and 2018 chief operating officer Simon Johnson.
Elstone afterwards admitted the club would consider a ground-sharing arrangement with Liverpool.
He said: "It's certainly one of the options that we will need to cover. A shared stadium is perhaps an option if it's affordable."
Mawhinney, Anson and Johnson are due to announce between 12 and 18 stadiums on December 16, when Liverpool will find out whether any of the proposed stadia are accepted.
The 2018 team itself has previously received negative publicity for in-fighting, being warned by FIFA vice-president Jack Warner for not being aggressive enough - and this week the shock resignation of Sir Dave Richards from the bid board. Anson insists now is the time to move on.
He said: "It's clearly not been helpful but we have to draw a line in the sand and build on today because there has been a groundswell of positive energy.
"We owe it to them to get on the front foot and get behind the bid because I haven't met one person who doesn't want the World Cup here in 2018.
"Clearly there have been issues but we have to move on. All I care about now is that we pull together from this moment, unite together and try our best as a country to bring the World Cup here.
"We've got tough competition but let's not navel-gaze any more, let's get on the front foot and start attacking and get this brought to England."
MK Dons chairman Peter Winkelman added: "The in-fighting that goes on is about the bid being in the best position it can be to help the country win it next year.
"I think it's a positive sign, not a negative sign, that people are working so hard to make sure the situation is right."
Winkelman represented Milton Keynes' bid along with his manager Paul Ince, while world diving champion Tom Daley showed his support for Plymouth.
Daley, 15, said: "Everything is normally based in London or the north and I think it's a good opportunity to have it in the west country."
In London, Wembley will host the opening match and final, with Arsenal, Tottenham and the Olympic Stadium their other possible venues.
Newcastle and Sunderland both put in bids, and Alan Shearer is hoping the ridicule surrounding the decision to rename Newcastle's ground sportsdirect.com@St James' Park Stadium will not affect the decision.
Shearer said: "We don't think there will be negativity. We know it's St James' Park and that's how it will stay."
Newcastle legend Paul Gascoigne added: "There were odds of 500-1 on it being called The Paul Gascoigne Stadium, you heard it might go to Tesco or a settee company. It will be called St James' for life, it doesn't matter what it's officially named."
Chelsea's Stamford Bridge is not one of London's stadiums, although London United chairman Simon Greenberg said: "We are included as a showcase training venue, as is the Cobham training complex, so Chelsea will play a full role in the World Cup but won't be hosting matches."
