Read what I've got from The Sun today..
If this really happens,we'll buy more quality players..
By DEAN JONES
GEORGE GILLETT has pulled off a stunning deal in America to rescue Liverpool from a financial nightmare.
Reds owner Gillett and partner Tom Hicks have been struggling to meet payments on a £350million debt incurred as part of their 2007 Anfield takeover.
But Gillett is selling ice hockey giants Montreal Canadiens to the brewers Molson for £340m - almost exactly double the price he paid them for an 80 per cent share in 2001.
News of his £178m profit comes just two weeks after Liverpool's accountants warned of "significant doubt" over repayments due on July 24 and defender Jamie Carragher said he feared key players could be sold.
The sale should be finalised once NHL chiefs give it the all-clear. Canadiens spokesman Donald Beauchamp said: "We would expect the deal to go through in a month or two."
Gillett was highly regarded in Montreal as he helped out with cash to sign top players. But he has not made quite the same impression in England.
Liverpool fans have become frustrated at his squabbling with partner Hicks. The pair took out a £350m loan when they bought the club in 2007 and have made no progress with a new stadium.
Accounts show Kop Holdings, the parent company of the club, lost £42.6m in the year up to August 2008. Interest payments on loans accounted for £36.5m.
There could be further good news for the Reds now though as Hicks is hoping to sell off his Texas Rangers baseball team and make a £97m profit.
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Hope this is true..
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Johnson is coming to Anfield?
This is the latest I got..from The Sun UK today 16 June 2009.. Would you believe it ? Wow..
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Benitez wins scrap for Glen
LIVERPOOL have won the race to land Portsmouth's �19million full-back Glen Johnson.
The England defender is expected to have a medical on Merseyside tomorrow - unless Chelsea or Manchester City can gazump the Kop at the last minute.
Johnson, 24, has opted for Anfield after emerging as one of the most sought-after men in the Premier League this summer.
And his signing is a real coup for Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, who feared the club's financial crisis would force him out of the bidding.
There is still the slight possibility Liverpool could be thwarted, with Chelsea determined to re-sign the man they sold to Pompey for just �4m two years ago.
And City are willing to pay the Londoner �100,000 a week to move to Eastlands.
Johnson only signed a new four-year deal with Portsmouth in January but has made no secret of wanting a bigger stage.
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If this is true..there goes ALL our transfer budget for next season !
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Benitez wins scrap for Glen
LIVERPOOL have won the race to land Portsmouth's �19million full-back Glen Johnson.
The England defender is expected to have a medical on Merseyside tomorrow - unless Chelsea or Manchester City can gazump the Kop at the last minute.
Johnson, 24, has opted for Anfield after emerging as one of the most sought-after men in the Premier League this summer.
And his signing is a real coup for Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, who feared the club's financial crisis would force him out of the bidding.
There is still the slight possibility Liverpool could be thwarted, with Chelsea determined to re-sign the man they sold to Pompey for just �4m two years ago.
And City are willing to pay the Londoner �100,000 a week to move to Eastlands.
Johnson only signed a new four-year deal with Portsmouth in January but has made no secret of wanting a bigger stage.
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If this is true..there goes ALL our transfer budget for next season !
Masch and Alonso are not for sale..How far is this true?
To be honest,the more Rafa opens his mouth denying that these 2 stars are leaving,the more I doubt that they are staying.Can we deny the spending power that Real have and what about the temptation to play alongside Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez- two best midfielders in the world..Can Alonso say NO to Real and missing the op to go back to his homeland and wud Masch resist the temptation? Wow they must bleed Reds all over should they say no to those massive offers.Rafa on the hand would surely love to gain profit from the sales -Alonso was only bought for 10 mills and now Real want him for 24 mil= 14 mils profit,while Masch was bought for 18 mils and Barca want him for 23 mils=5 mils profit.. The sales would generate 47 mils and a profit of 19 mils..Isn't that good biznes? Whew..
Surely I dun want them to go..but I am already resigned to accepting that the chances of seeing our duo together next season is very very slim...Just hope that if they really are leaving,Rafa wud make good use of the money and buy quality players..not only just team players..We are too big a name to go fo players like Distin,Tuncay or even Owen for that matter. We should go for players like Tevez,Silva or David Villa..
Please Rafa..get it right!
REDS DUO NOT FOR SALE
SKY Sports 14 June 2009
Liverpool have moved to quash reports that Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano are set to leave Anfield this summer.
Argentina international Mascherano has been linked with Barcelona amid reports that his wife has struggled to settle on Merseyside.
And Spain midfielder Alonso is just the latest in a long line of players believed to be on Real Madrid president Florentino Perez's lengthy and expensive summer wish-list.
Madrid's young strikers Alvaro Negredo and Alberto Bueno have been suggested as makeweights in any possible deal for Alonso.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez recently stating that Barcelona "could not afford" Mascherano and that Alonso was "not for sale" as he sees the midfield duo as key to his plans for next season.
And Liverpool backed Benitez to the hilt on Sunday by indicating any approaches for the pair will be firmly rejected.
In a statement on their official website, Liverpool said: "Despite repeated media speculation on the futures of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, Liverpool has received no official approach or offer from any club regarding the players.
"Neither is for sale and furthermore Liverpool has no interest in the long list of Spanish-based players being linked with a move to Anfield as part of any deal."
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Just wondering..what are Hicks and Gillet doing now..hmmm..
Surely I dun want them to go..but I am already resigned to accepting that the chances of seeing our duo together next season is very very slim...Just hope that if they really are leaving,Rafa wud make good use of the money and buy quality players..not only just team players..We are too big a name to go fo players like Distin,Tuncay or even Owen for that matter. We should go for players like Tevez,Silva or David Villa..
Please Rafa..get it right!
REDS DUO NOT FOR SALE
SKY Sports 14 June 2009
Liverpool have moved to quash reports that Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano are set to leave Anfield this summer.
Argentina international Mascherano has been linked with Barcelona amid reports that his wife has struggled to settle on Merseyside.
And Spain midfielder Alonso is just the latest in a long line of players believed to be on Real Madrid president Florentino Perez's lengthy and expensive summer wish-list.
Madrid's young strikers Alvaro Negredo and Alberto Bueno have been suggested as makeweights in any possible deal for Alonso.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez recently stating that Barcelona "could not afford" Mascherano and that Alonso was "not for sale" as he sees the midfield duo as key to his plans for next season.
And Liverpool backed Benitez to the hilt on Sunday by indicating any approaches for the pair will be firmly rejected.
In a statement on their official website, Liverpool said: "Despite repeated media speculation on the futures of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, Liverpool has received no official approach or offer from any club regarding the players.
"Neither is for sale and furthermore Liverpool has no interest in the long list of Spanish-based players being linked with a move to Anfield as part of any deal."
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Just wondering..what are Hicks and Gillet doing now..hmmm..
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Now Rafa has to lower his transfer budget (and expectations?)
To be honest ,I have never expected that I'll have to read this piece of news..not after some sterling display of great team performance in our last 11 matches in our last season ( won 10 and drew 1)..I was dreaming that next season we'll have David Silva & Villa playing alongside Torres and Gerrard...and Tevez would come next( I even thought of how Alex Ferguson would have reacted to Tevez's transfer to his worst nemesis)...but just in a few days,I have to digest one of the most unbelievable probabilities in decades - LFC might go bankrupt if debts are not settled ...Not really sure how other Kopites would feel about the thought of LFC going bankrupt,but surely you'll have that tinge feeling behind your spine.
Just read what I have collected from The Sun UK and respond ...poor Rafa..
Rafa set for bargain hunt
(The Sun UK)
By PHIL THOMAS
Published: 10 Jun 2009
RAFA BENITEZ last night vowed not to walk out of Anfield in the wake of Liverpool's cash crisis.
And the Kop boss is ready to trawl Europe's bargain basement now the rug has been pulled on his plans to sign the biggest names in the game.
Benitez had drawn up a hit-list which included the likes of Gareth Barry, David Villa and even Carlos Tevez from champions Manchester United.
But Barry has already gone to Manchester City, while Tevez and Valencia striker Villa are way out of the Reds' price range.
Instead, Benitez finds himself having to shun the designer rails and look in the slight-seconds range for men such as Middlesbrough's Tuncay and Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin.
But the Spaniard is up for the scrap - despite last week's stunning claim from the club's auditors that the financial plight is so bad there are fears about Liverpool's viability as a going concern.
Benitez broke his silence on the financial mire yesterday and roared: "We knew it could be difficult because there is a crisis all around the world and clearly we don't have too much to spend.
"But I still think we have enough money to add the one or two players that we need.
"This season has been really good and we've competed on all fronts. If we can sign one or two players, then I'm really positive we can improve."
Ironically, Benitez spoke on the day it emerged Liverpool must pay almost £2million to cover travel, legal and personal expenses for owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
That followed the news that Kop Football (Holdings) Ltd - the club's parent company run by the Americans - suffered a loss of £42.6m last year.
Benitez, who penned a five-year deal in March, added: "When I signed the contract I did so because Liverpool FC is more than a club.
"It is the heart of the city, it is our life and for the people here it means so much.
"I thought I had to sign - we have to fight, we have to do it. The people in this city have been fighting all their lives and we want to do the same.
"The situation isn't fantastic but I have a lot of confidence. We want to fight like we did this year." Liverpool fell just four points short of wrecking United's charge to a third straight Premier League title.
But Benitez believes with a couple of new faces - and Fernando Torres steering clear of injury - it will be a different story next season.
He said: "I'm also positive because we were talking recently about how Fernando and Steven Gerrard didn't play together for a long time.
"Hopefully, they will manage that more next season - and we also have good young players like David Ngog, Nabil El Zhar, Ryan Babel and Emiliano Insua coming through.
"We have a very good squad but we can still improve a little bit. How much - enough to win the title? I'm sure it will be enough to compete.
"We knew the situation in the world would be difficult this summer. Some clubs were asking for our players so the priority was to extend the contracts of our key ones.
"We spent some money to guarantee this and now we just have to improve a little bit, because we are in a very good position."
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How will LFC fare without any new signing ?
Is the present team good enough to win BPL,when other teams are strengthening their squad ?
With Aston Villa and Man City eyeing to be one of the Big 4 teams,will LFC able to withstand the pressure and still compete for the most coveted BPL prize?
Just read what I have collected from The Sun UK and respond ...poor Rafa..
Rafa set for bargain hunt
(The Sun UK)
By PHIL THOMAS
Published: 10 Jun 2009
RAFA BENITEZ last night vowed not to walk out of Anfield in the wake of Liverpool's cash crisis.
And the Kop boss is ready to trawl Europe's bargain basement now the rug has been pulled on his plans to sign the biggest names in the game.
Benitez had drawn up a hit-list which included the likes of Gareth Barry, David Villa and even Carlos Tevez from champions Manchester United.
But Barry has already gone to Manchester City, while Tevez and Valencia striker Villa are way out of the Reds' price range.
Instead, Benitez finds himself having to shun the designer rails and look in the slight-seconds range for men such as Middlesbrough's Tuncay and Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin.
But the Spaniard is up for the scrap - despite last week's stunning claim from the club's auditors that the financial plight is so bad there are fears about Liverpool's viability as a going concern.
Benitez broke his silence on the financial mire yesterday and roared: "We knew it could be difficult because there is a crisis all around the world and clearly we don't have too much to spend.
"But I still think we have enough money to add the one or two players that we need.
"This season has been really good and we've competed on all fronts. If we can sign one or two players, then I'm really positive we can improve."
Ironically, Benitez spoke on the day it emerged Liverpool must pay almost £2million to cover travel, legal and personal expenses for owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
That followed the news that Kop Football (Holdings) Ltd - the club's parent company run by the Americans - suffered a loss of £42.6m last year.
Benitez, who penned a five-year deal in March, added: "When I signed the contract I did so because Liverpool FC is more than a club.
"It is the heart of the city, it is our life and for the people here it means so much.
"I thought I had to sign - we have to fight, we have to do it. The people in this city have been fighting all their lives and we want to do the same.
"The situation isn't fantastic but I have a lot of confidence. We want to fight like we did this year." Liverpool fell just four points short of wrecking United's charge to a third straight Premier League title.
But Benitez believes with a couple of new faces - and Fernando Torres steering clear of injury - it will be a different story next season.
He said: "I'm also positive because we were talking recently about how Fernando and Steven Gerrard didn't play together for a long time.
"Hopefully, they will manage that more next season - and we also have good young players like David Ngog, Nabil El Zhar, Ryan Babel and Emiliano Insua coming through.
"We have a very good squad but we can still improve a little bit. How much - enough to win the title? I'm sure it will be enough to compete.
"We knew the situation in the world would be difficult this summer. Some clubs were asking for our players so the priority was to extend the contracts of our key ones.
"We spent some money to guarantee this and now we just have to improve a little bit, because we are in a very good position."
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How will LFC fare without any new signing ?
Is the present team good enough to win BPL,when other teams are strengthening their squad ?
With Aston Villa and Man City eyeing to be one of the Big 4 teams,will LFC able to withstand the pressure and still compete for the most coveted BPL prize?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Are LFC getting new top signings?
Well...though 08/09 BPL season has ended,LFC are still heating up with speculations that the club is heading for bankruptcy with many key players are said to be heading their exits.Players like Mascherano and Alonso are now hot on their heels and are said to be on the brink of a summer swoop this season.Alonso was said to have been given the nod to sign for Real Madrid for 24 mils while Mascherano has uttered verbal agreement with Barcelona,for a fee around 22 mils. If both players really leave LFC,their sales will contribute around 46 mils for LFC and that would be able to cover the losses we had last season of 46.5 mils..selling more fringe players like Babel,Dossena and Lucas might produce another 20 mils which then enable LFC to participate in the transfer market...but would that be enough ?
Do we really need to sacrifice our prominent players like Masch and Alonso who had proven to be among the best in the country. I certainly join hands with other Kops of not wanting these 2 not to join any team (esp BPL teams) and their presence is much needed when we kickstart our season this August.In The Sun UK today,Benitez confidently said that he'll be getting at least another 2 top signings;from which club..he did not mention.I really doubt what he was saying as we are now not in a favourable situation to even to be rumouring about getting fringe players from other clubs ..Tuncay from Boro ..or even Owen if he really wants to come ,we'll not able to afford his pay.. Now what we sgould be discussing is are we going to survive to maintain our financial status and still be a stern competitor for Man U,Chelsea and Arsenal next season .
Hicks and Gillete are not problem solvers.They come to Anfield heavily indebted to the banks,hoping to gain more profit...and we surely love then to go before new season starts and hope the Arabs will come and be our saviour(not really sure if they know their football)..
We can only hope and pray...
Till that day comes ; I doubt there'll be any new signing...
Do we really need to sacrifice our prominent players like Masch and Alonso who had proven to be among the best in the country. I certainly join hands with other Kops of not wanting these 2 not to join any team (esp BPL teams) and their presence is much needed when we kickstart our season this August.In The Sun UK today,Benitez confidently said that he'll be getting at least another 2 top signings;from which club..he did not mention.I really doubt what he was saying as we are now not in a favourable situation to even to be rumouring about getting fringe players from other clubs ..Tuncay from Boro ..or even Owen if he really wants to come ,we'll not able to afford his pay.. Now what we sgould be discussing is are we going to survive to maintain our financial status and still be a stern competitor for Man U,Chelsea and Arsenal next season .
Hicks and Gillete are not problem solvers.They come to Anfield heavily indebted to the banks,hoping to gain more profit...and we surely love then to go before new season starts and hope the Arabs will come and be our saviour(not really sure if they know their football)..
We can only hope and pray...
Till that day comes ; I doubt there'll be any new signing...
Monday, June 8, 2009
We'll be at disadvantage during the Transfer windows
From Daily Star...and after reading this,I couldn't have agreed more.
EXPERT: REDS MAY BE AT DISADVANTAGE
6th June 2009
Uncertainty over the state of Liverpool's finances and future ownership of the club will disadvantage them in this summer's transfer market, according to a leading football financial analyst.
Despite sources close to American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett insisting there is no concern over the current level of debt, the £42.6million loss posted by parent company Kop Holdings has raised doubts over their ability to compete for top-quality signings.
Tom Cannon, professor of strategic development at Liverpool University's school of management, believes unless the finances can be sorted out swiftly manager Rafael Benitez is likely to lose out on more top targets, saying; "You can understand why they did not compete more aggressively for Gareth Barry."
England international Barry was high up on the wish-list last summer but the £18million quoted by Aston Villa was deemed too much and the midfielder this week completed a surprise move to Manchester City for £12million.
"I think Rafael Benitez is in a very powerful position because he has a lot to offer players who want to come in but he is operating under very strict trading conditions," said Cannon, after Liverpool's figures for the year ending July 2008 revealed Hicks and Gillett were paying £36million interest on the £350million loan they took out to buy the club.
"This is certainly going to hit Benitez's budget significantly.
"It is hard to see they could buy the quality of player at the kind of price they are going for this summer without selling.
"It looks like Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City will be spending money and Manchester United might be spending money so they (Liverpool) have to spend money to stay where they were - which is the main rival to United."
Cannon believes Hicks and Gillett may have to sell their interest in their American sport franchises (the Texas Rangers baseball side and Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team) or even cash in some of Liverpool's most saleable assets.
Midfielder Xabi Alonso is a reported £23million target for Real Madrid while Argentina captain Javier Mascherano is reportedly interesting Champions League winners Barcelona.
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If this situation doesn't get any better,we will even have to sell Alonso,Mascherano and even Torres or Gerrard.. touch wood..
EXPERT: REDS MAY BE AT DISADVANTAGE
6th June 2009
Uncertainty over the state of Liverpool's finances and future ownership of the club will disadvantage them in this summer's transfer market, according to a leading football financial analyst.
Despite sources close to American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett insisting there is no concern over the current level of debt, the £42.6million loss posted by parent company Kop Holdings has raised doubts over their ability to compete for top-quality signings.
Tom Cannon, professor of strategic development at Liverpool University's school of management, believes unless the finances can be sorted out swiftly manager Rafael Benitez is likely to lose out on more top targets, saying; "You can understand why they did not compete more aggressively for Gareth Barry."
England international Barry was high up on the wish-list last summer but the £18million quoted by Aston Villa was deemed too much and the midfielder this week completed a surprise move to Manchester City for £12million.
"I think Rafael Benitez is in a very powerful position because he has a lot to offer players who want to come in but he is operating under very strict trading conditions," said Cannon, after Liverpool's figures for the year ending July 2008 revealed Hicks and Gillett were paying £36million interest on the £350million loan they took out to buy the club.
"This is certainly going to hit Benitez's budget significantly.
"It is hard to see they could buy the quality of player at the kind of price they are going for this summer without selling.
"It looks like Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City will be spending money and Manchester United might be spending money so they (Liverpool) have to spend money to stay where they were - which is the main rival to United."
Cannon believes Hicks and Gillett may have to sell their interest in their American sport franchises (the Texas Rangers baseball side and Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team) or even cash in some of Liverpool's most saleable assets.
Midfielder Xabi Alonso is a reported £23million target for Real Madrid while Argentina captain Javier Mascherano is reportedly interesting Champions League winners Barcelona.
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If this situation doesn't get any better,we will even have to sell Alonso,Mascherano and even Torres or Gerrard.. touch wood..
LFC are facing meltdown : All Kop fans on alert!
This is a piece of news I got from The Sun UK.for those who are still in the thought of toppling Man U,please rest your thought and read this. You might be thinking of the headline : Liverpool to be another Leeds United ?
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LIVERPOOL were facing financial meltdown last night.
The club's accountants issued a chilling statement admitting there is 'significant doubt' whether the company which runs the Merseysiders can 'continue as a going concern'.
Liverpool's parent company Kop Football (Holdings) Ltd, run by American duo George Gillett and Tom Hicks, made a £42.6million loss last year.
Around £36.5m of that is interest payments on the whopping £350m loan they took out to refinance the club.
A top City analyst said: "Unless the owners find more money, the club is facing financial meltdown. Not only are the figures bleak, the future is gloomy too.
"The more you read through the accounts, the more transparent it is that the owners don't have the resources to meet the targets they've set for next year either.
"Everyone associated with Liverpool should be deeply concerned by this set of figures."
The devastating news will intensify calls from fans for the US pair to sell up.
As things stand, any profits being made on the pitch are being swallowed up by the crippling repayments on the loan.
The disastrous figures not only place the club's future in jeopardy, they also have serious side-effects for boss Rafa Benitez. The scale of the financial woes casts a huge question-mark over whether Benitez will have any significant money to spend this summer.
He has already been 'blown out of the water' by Manchester City in the race for long-term target Gareth Barry this week.
Other big-money targets, like David Silva, Glen Johnson and even Carlos Tevez, look unlikely to materialise this summer.
The club's accountants, KPMG, outlined their concerns by saying: "The group has credit facilities amounting to £350m, which expire on 24 July 2009.
"The directors have initiated negotiations to secure the replacement finance required by the group and these negotiations are ongoing.
"These conditions... indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt on the group's and parent company's ability to continue as a going concern."
Sources close to Gillett and Hicks last night said they re- mained confident of securing the refinancing deal and are also still in talks with possible investors.
But only in April the Hicks Sports Group defaulted on repaying loans totalling £354m for his other sports ventures in the States.
Before the Americans' £219m takeover in 2007, Liverpool were close to a deal with Arab investors Dubai International Capital.
Then, in January this year, Kuwaiti billionaire Nasser Al-Kharafi offered £425m for overall control.
But the Americans only want to sell 50 per cent and hopes of a deal collapsed.
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Should we be worried?
Will the two American clowns find their way to saving the club ?
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LIVERPOOL were facing financial meltdown last night.
The club's accountants issued a chilling statement admitting there is 'significant doubt' whether the company which runs the Merseysiders can 'continue as a going concern'.
Liverpool's parent company Kop Football (Holdings) Ltd, run by American duo George Gillett and Tom Hicks, made a £42.6million loss last year.
Around £36.5m of that is interest payments on the whopping £350m loan they took out to refinance the club.
A top City analyst said: "Unless the owners find more money, the club is facing financial meltdown. Not only are the figures bleak, the future is gloomy too.
"The more you read through the accounts, the more transparent it is that the owners don't have the resources to meet the targets they've set for next year either.
"Everyone associated with Liverpool should be deeply concerned by this set of figures."
The devastating news will intensify calls from fans for the US pair to sell up.
As things stand, any profits being made on the pitch are being swallowed up by the crippling repayments on the loan.
The disastrous figures not only place the club's future in jeopardy, they also have serious side-effects for boss Rafa Benitez. The scale of the financial woes casts a huge question-mark over whether Benitez will have any significant money to spend this summer.
He has already been 'blown out of the water' by Manchester City in the race for long-term target Gareth Barry this week.
Other big-money targets, like David Silva, Glen Johnson and even Carlos Tevez, look unlikely to materialise this summer.
The club's accountants, KPMG, outlined their concerns by saying: "The group has credit facilities amounting to £350m, which expire on 24 July 2009.
"The directors have initiated negotiations to secure the replacement finance required by the group and these negotiations are ongoing.
"These conditions... indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt on the group's and parent company's ability to continue as a going concern."
Sources close to Gillett and Hicks last night said they re- mained confident of securing the refinancing deal and are also still in talks with possible investors.
But only in April the Hicks Sports Group defaulted on repaying loans totalling £354m for his other sports ventures in the States.
Before the Americans' £219m takeover in 2007, Liverpool were close to a deal with Arab investors Dubai International Capital.
Then, in January this year, Kuwaiti billionaire Nasser Al-Kharafi offered £425m for overall control.
But the Americans only want to sell 50 per cent and hopes of a deal collapsed.
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Should we be worried?
Will the two American clowns find their way to saving the club ?
LFC Fans see Red over owners ! : The Sun UK
LIVERPOOL owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett were last night branded 'utter failures' by fuming fans.
The Reds are in financial turmoil after figures showed their parent company lost £42.6million last year.
All operating profits were swallowed up by servicing the £350m loan the Americans took out to buy the club.
And it looks certain to hit boss Rafa Benitez's transfer budget.
Hicks and Gillett have seven weeks to sort out a re-financing package but supporters want banks to snub them.
Paul Rice, chairman of the leading fans group Spirit of Shankly, said: "The revelations just underline Hicks and Gillett's utter failure as owners.
"Fans should be very concerned with these figures as the Americans have saddled us with debt which could force the club into administration.
"They should seek more responsible and appropriate custodians for Liverpool FC."
Rogan Taylor of Share Liverpool FC - a group looking to buy out the club - called the situation 'ludicrous'.
He added: "The levels of financial incompetence is unbelievable. The situation will not go away with re-financing."
Sources close to Hicks and Gillett last night pointed out the debts of Kop Holdings were less than their rivals in the Big Four and insisted the club will not go bust.
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We actually profited quite a lot last season from ticket sales,UCL,sponsorship deals,etc but these all have been swallowed by the loans taken by the Yanks when they bought LFC.Maybe its time for the Yanks to swallow bitter pills and pride - ask how the Glazers run their business...
I..as an aredent fan of the club feel ashamed at what these Americans are doing to my beloved football club and no words could picture how angry I am at them.We were actually in good hands but the arrival of these stupid clowns ruined everything.
Any way out ? Will the Arabs save us now?
The Reds are in financial turmoil after figures showed their parent company lost £42.6million last year.
All operating profits were swallowed up by servicing the £350m loan the Americans took out to buy the club.
And it looks certain to hit boss Rafa Benitez's transfer budget.
Hicks and Gillett have seven weeks to sort out a re-financing package but supporters want banks to snub them.
Paul Rice, chairman of the leading fans group Spirit of Shankly, said: "The revelations just underline Hicks and Gillett's utter failure as owners.
"Fans should be very concerned with these figures as the Americans have saddled us with debt which could force the club into administration.
"They should seek more responsible and appropriate custodians for Liverpool FC."
Rogan Taylor of Share Liverpool FC - a group looking to buy out the club - called the situation 'ludicrous'.
He added: "The levels of financial incompetence is unbelievable. The situation will not go away with re-financing."
Sources close to Hicks and Gillett last night pointed out the debts of Kop Holdings were less than their rivals in the Big Four and insisted the club will not go bust.
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We actually profited quite a lot last season from ticket sales,UCL,sponsorship deals,etc but these all have been swallowed by the loans taken by the Yanks when they bought LFC.Maybe its time for the Yanks to swallow bitter pills and pride - ask how the Glazers run their business...
I..as an aredent fan of the club feel ashamed at what these Americans are doing to my beloved football club and no words could picture how angry I am at them.We were actually in good hands but the arrival of these stupid clowns ruined everything.
Any way out ? Will the Arabs save us now?
Liverpool meltdown is a national disgrace: The Sun UK
Well..I think all Kops have read about how critical the situation is now for LFC. Many think that Hicks and Gillete oughtta be on their way out. What I a so sorry about is the way these 2 Yanks are looking at this matter.These clowns have no passion or whatsoever for football.All they think about is profit. Liverpool FC have never in this kind of turmoil until these two cowboys came.They brought in their debts along trying to emulate what the Glazers are doing at Man U. But the Glazers were much richer and smarter. Hicks and Gillete refused to sell their whole share to the Kuwaitis and only offered 50% of their share to the Arabs. Until now,I'm still wondering whether the Yanks are willing to sell their share to the Arabs as time is really not on their side.They have only till 24 July to come up with or LFC we'll become another Leeds United .
Below is the excerpt I collected from what Ian Wright wrote in The Sun UK :
Below is the excerpt I collected from what Ian Wright wrote in The Sun UK :
FOR many, football has always been and always will be a religion.
But, when I started playing, it was still generally regarded as a sport.
The grounds may have been half-empty and in need of a lick of paint - and the punters did not get to watch the world's best players week-in, week-out.
But they also did not have to remortgage their house to get a ticket and they knew the name of the chairman.
They might not have always liked him or agreed with his decisions.
But they knew, by and large, he could be trusted to at least keep their club alive. And the sport retained its integrity.
Then, with the advent of improved TV coverage, football became rebranded as 'entertainment'.
New grounds were built and old ones redeveloped. Families came flocking back and players became as rich and famous as pop stars.
Now, after a string of multi-million pound takeovers, we are told football is a 'business'.
And look where that has got us. A clutch of English footballing dynasties owned by wealthy - mainly foreign - businessmen who do not have the clubs in their hearts, only on their balance sheets.
The news Liverpool are on the brink of financial meltdown is nothing short of a national disgrace but, you have to admit, not entirely surprising.
After all they are not the only Big Four club to be run by foreign owners who give the impression they care more about making profit and raising money than winning trophies.
Anfield is sold out every week, with fans paying good money for tickets. And I bet the club rakes in millions a year in hospitality and sponsorship revenue from companies desperate to be linked with one of the great names in world football.
So how can the club be in so much debt?
Well, because we now have a situation where it seems our top football clubs are merely pawns in a big-business chess game where the prize is making as much money as possible.
It probably won't matter to Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett that manager Rafa Benitez will not have the money to strengthen his playing squad this summer. Just as long as the wolves are kept from the door. It goes against everything the club and English football stands for.
Liverpool are not the only ones in trouble. I am sure Manchester United fans are worried about their club suffering the same fate. Look at Newcastle as well.
Further proof that businessmen who know nothing about football are dangerous when they take over a club. Full stop.
But the most chilling fact is that nothing can be done about it.
I am sure the regulars at Anfield, Old Trafford, St James' Park and beyond long for a return to the good old days when clubs were run by local businessmen and their families.
My first professional chairman at Crystal Palace was Ron Noades - a football and business genius.
Yes, he still gets flak from Palace fans to this day. But had he sold the lease to Selhurst Park, there would be no club today.
When I started training with Palace, I asked for some expenses because it was costing me money to go to training. He said: "Blow the expenses, we'll give you £100 a week for three months."
After training, I would spend the afternoon sitting in his office. I learnt so much about business through watching Ron work.
He even bought me my first car - an old Mini Metro - and then took it back when he discovered I hadn't passed my driving test!
When I passed my test later, he bought me a Peugeot. He cared about Palace and the players.
I thought all chairmen were like him. When I joined Arsenal I used to march into vice-chairman David Dein's office and just sit there.
It wasn't until a couple of weeks later that I was told it wasn't really appropriate.
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What Ian Wright said was correct but what I really liked about it was when he mentioned about businessmen taking over a football club.It has slowly but surely becoming a trend.You have loads of money,lets play by buying big football clubs.. and now LFC are the victims facing the music.Who should we blame for this? The 2 Americans or maybe..Rick Parry himself ?
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