Liverpool has been named as Britain’s top sporting city as it bids to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The city was awarded by the accolade by the global sports media outlet ESPN and the University of Bath, after researchers set out to find the UK’s greatest sporting city by surveying more than 5,000 fans from across the country.

Manchester took second place in the survey and London came third.

‘It is no surprise that Liverpool has been named as the UK's greatest sporting city in ESPN's research,’ said Liverpool Football Club’s chief executive, Peter Moore.

‘We at Liverpool Football Club celebrate our 125th anniversary this year - a significant milestone that we're all immensely proud of. Although we are famous for being a great footballing city, our sporting prowess goes much wider - producing a host of successful athletes, boxers, cricketers, golfers, snooker players - the list is endless.’

The award comes as the city enters the final phase of its bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Liverpool passed its preliminary inspection last month and in early September, the independent assessment panel will make a recommendation to the Government on a preferred city before the government then makes a final decision whether to submit a formal bid to the Commonwealth Games Federation.

‘Liverpool has a proud sporting history, and to be recognised internationally for this is a great honour,’ said the city’s mayor, Joe Anderson.

’Our vision is to make the entire UK proud of Liverpool, and it is special to know that fans up and down the country already respect our sporting prestige.

‘Sport is a tool to change the lives of many, and we believe that Liverpool 2022 will do exactly this,’ said Anderson.

‘The Games will help to fast-track up to a billion pounds of investment for the city, and we are working around the clock to persuade the Government that this bid is perfect to showcase Britain to the world.’