Liverpool FC 2010/11

[Facts and Stats]

He missed Ince off.

[LeBron]

Chinese consortium in RBS talks over Liverpool takeover

A Chinese consortium are currently holding talks with the Royal Bank of Scotland over a potential takeover of Liverpool.
Kenneth Huang, a former Wall Street stockbroker, is leading the consortium described to be offering “serious money” by sources close to the negotiations.

Current reports suggest that Huang is currently meeting with RBS after already speaking to Anfield officials about a potential takeover.

Star striker Fernando Torres, who returns to training on Monday, will also be asked to wait to make a decision about his future until after negotiations between the consortium and RBS are complete.

The consortium is believed to be backed by a major sovereign fund with much greater financial power than Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi-based owners.

The deal would ensure that RBS recoup all of the £237 million Liverpool currently owe, with the consortium planning to clear the club completely of debt.

Sources close to Huang have said that the consortium are keen to push a deal through quickly in order to make use of the current transfer window, with plans to offer Roy Hodgson a significant war chest to ensure Liverpool break back in to the top four.

Huang would want to push on plans for a new stadium as soon as possible, something originally planned by Tom Hicks and George Gillett before the financial crisis made it hard for the American duo to borrow the capital needed for a new ground in Stanley Park.

But a deal may be scuppered by Gillett, who has reopened negotiations with ex-Syrian footballer Yahya Kirdi—the man believed to be the face of another major consortium interested in buying the Merseyside club.

Should RBS accept the offer from the Chinese consortium it would end Hicks and Gillett’s spell in charge of Liverpool, a tenure dominated by power struggles with former manager Rafael Benitez and serious financial turmoil.

[Nice One Cyril]

Should RBS accept the offer from the Chinese consortium it would end Hicks and Gillett’s spell in charge of Liverpool............

What the fuck is it to do with them? They're only the bankers, they don't own any shares or have voting rights.

From my reading of the English press, the two parties, Huang and Hicks/Gilllett are a fair way apart in their valuations, with the former offering about 350 million and the latter wanting over 500 million. Remember that they were offered 500 million by DIC a couple of years ago so I can't see them taking too much less. I guess these are the opening shots.

[vertu1]

i wonder if things go awry with the Chinese , will Liverpool supporter be burning Chinese flags ?
they might not turn such a blind eye as the Americans (..oops sorry YANKS)
it would no doubt cause much more of a diplomatic storm if Chinese flags were burnt

[Nice One Cyril]

Fabio Aurelio has re-signed with the club
Great news. Well done Woy.

And it looks like Insua is staying. His deal with Fiorentina is reported as having collapsed. Have you got them all on a bit of elastic? At this rate, you'll have the same squad as last year.

[BTAC]

Fabio Aurelio has re-signed with the club
Great news. Well done Woy.

And it looks like Insua is staying. His deal with Fiorentina is reported as having collapsed. Have you got them all on a bit of elastic? At this rate, you'll have the same squad as last year.

Does seem that way.
I'm pretty happy that we're keeping Insua tbh. He may not have set the world alight last year, but he's still only a young player and could come good along the way. Even if his potential isn't reached though, we will still be able to sell him for around the same amount we were reportedly going to sell him to Fiorentina for. It is a win-win situation for us in my mind.

[mushrow]

Liverpool's new song. You'll never WOK arone

[PhilDunphy]

Liverpool's new song. You'll never WOK arone

vewwy good

[Redders]

Reports in China are that the billionaire business man isn't a billionaire.

[PhilDunphy]

Reports in China are that the billionaire business man isn't a billionaire.

typical

[Nice One Cyril]

Reports in China are that the billionaire business man isn't a billionaire.

typical

If he has a billion Renminbi then he's a billionaire.

[LeBron]

China fund raises finance to match Liverpool asking price

The Chinese government fund represented by Kenny Huang has spent the past fortnight raising precisely the amount of cash required to finance a bid for Liverpool. Sources have confirmed to Digger that the China Investment Corporation, the sovereign wealth fund to the world's most populous nation, is the organisation being fronted by Huang, who yesterday admitted interest in bidding for Liverpool.

In a series of trades since 19 July, CIC has sold $558m of shares in Morgan Stanley, equating to £351.4m. That sum is equivalent to Liverpool's debt to the nearest decimal place, and is exactly the number insiders say has been quoted to interested parties as the sale price.

China Daily, the English-language arm of the Chinese state media, reported yesterday: "China Investment Corp, the Chinese sovereign wealth fund that bought a 9.9% stake in Morgan Stanley in 2007, sold $90.5m of shares in the investment bank on 30 July, bringing the total amount divested in the last two weeks to about $558m."

Although sovereign wealth funds have enormous values of assets under management, cash is generally tied up in equity and bond markets. This requires liquidation by share sales before major new investments can be made. It is therefore hugely significant that the £351.4m number is also equivalent to Liverpool's debt, suggesting that CIC is shifting its assets ahead of an offer for the five-times European Cup winners.

It also indicates that despite the ambitions of the Anfield club's chairman, Martin Broughton, to generate a return for Tom Hicks and George Gillett, China is refusing to reward them for their three-and-a half-year ownership of the club. The Americans' capacity to dictate terms is further reduced by the fact that there are few other credible bidders preparing to compete with Huang and CIC.

Even those involved in the sale process have dismissed the announcement yesterday from Yahya Kirdi, the former Syrian footballer with business links in Canada, of his intention to compete with Huang for Liverpool. Kirdi has previously talked of his interest but is said not to have meaningfully pursued it, but his interest could raise the price that current owners are looking for. The Rhone Group has also re-emerged as a possible interested party. But although it is regarded as being financially capable of mounting a bid, the private equity firm has come to the table before, having looked at a minority-stake investment in March. But it did not go through with the deal.

Huang confirmed for the first time yesterday he had contacted Liverpool's brokers in the sale – who together are Broughton and Barclays's investment-banking division, Barcap – to "register interest". He did state he "has made no formal bid", however CIC's cash-raising exercise demonstrates it is in a position to make an approach at any time.

In that event the red half of Merseyside might be concerned about the impact of direct investment from the Chinese government in their club. But in anticipation of negative reaction to its world-wide investment activities, CIC's website states: "CIC strives to contribute to the prosperity and development of local economies.

It adds: "CIC usually does not seek an active role in the companies in which it invests nor attempts to influence those companies' operations. CIC seeks long-term, stable, sustainable, and risk-adjusted return."

Although the message of prudence, at a time when CIC's dumping of £531.4m of Morgan Stanley shares has conspicuously not generated any money for transfer activity, might dishearten fans, it should not be interpreted as a lack of team investment. CIC would be purchasing a debt-free club and would be capable of taking out smaller, more affordable loans to finance team strengthening this summer.

And after the years of chaos associated with the unsustainable debt run up under Hicks and Gillett, that would no doubt be a welcome relief to Liverpool fans, as will the fact CIC is happy with Roy Hodgson being the manager.

[PhilDunphy]

BUYERS QUEUE UP FOR ANFIELD TAKEOVER

The future of Liverpool appears far from clear after one interested party distanced himself from an official bid and another claimed they were on the verge of completing a deal.

Chinese businessman Kenny Huang seemed to be in pole position yesterday after approaching the club's major creditors Royal Bank of Scotland about taking over Liverpool's £237million debt to them.

His interest was passed on to Barclays Capital, who are handling the sale by the club's American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, and it then emerged there were five or six other groups considering offers.

However, this morning Syrian businessman Yahya Kirdi, who represents a group of investors from the Middle East and Canada, claimed a price had been agreed and a formal purchase agreement "is in the final stage of negotiation".

Much the same noises were made by Kirdi's representatives in April and no deal was done, and he has been dealing with Hicks and Gillett rather than through Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton, who has been detailed to sell the club.

And this afternoon Huang issued a statement insisting he has not made a bid for the club but was interested, also stressing any official comment would come from his Hong Kong office and not from the UK where briefings emanated from earlier this week.

The only thing to say about the latest developments is that Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is no nearer knowing whether there will be new owners in time for him to capitalise in the current transfer window.

Hodgson is steering clear of becoming involved in the issues surrounding a potential takeover but stressed whoever does come in has to put the needs of the club first.

"I was given the assurance I would be allowed to do the job in the right way and that has been the case since I have been here," said the 62-year-old.

"I don't get involved, I leave it to the people who know what they are doing.

"But I can only hope if the club changes hands it goes to a group of people who have the club's fortune and future at heart and that they will do the right thing by the club.

"I don't think anyone who has the slightest love for the club would want anyone coming in whose sole intention was not to keep up the high standards of the past and if anything make certain we can do that in the future.

"If a new owner comes in it is very important he makes clear to the supporters of this club, a worldwide institution, that they are buying it for the right reasons.

"Buying it because they want to maintain the level the club has been used to for the last 40 years and to make sure they don't drop from the high perch it has been on.

"That is what I would like to hear from the owners."

Under new rules on club ownership announced by the Premier League yesterday, all prospective owners are obliged to give the league 10 days' notice of a takeover and prove they have the funds to sustain the club.

Liverpool and a number of parties contemplating a takeover have already contacted the Premier League to alert them that a change of ownership could be imminent.

Kirdi claimed to have stolen a march on his rivals when he announced: "The group is in advanced negotiations with Thomas Hicks and George Gillett, co-owners of Liverpool Football Club, to purchase 100% of the club.

"Agreement has been reached on all major terms including the purchase price, repayment of the existing bank debt from RBS and Wells Fargo and financing of a new stadium in Liverpool's Stanley Park.

"A formal purchase agreement between the parties is in the final stage of negotiation."

Kirdi is a resident of Canada and a former Syria international who oversees investments in Europe and North America on behalf of his investor group, said the statement.

"Liverpool is a massive football club with passionate and proud fans in Merseyside and in every part of the world," said Kirdi.

"With additional money to improve the squad and financing in place to build the new stadium, LFC will be on a solid foundation to compete in the Premiership and in Europe for years to come."

Huang, meanwhile, appears to have taken a step back.

"Mr Huang would like to emphasise that he has registered interest in investing in Liverpool FC but has made no formal bid," said a statement.

"There has been much speculation and commentary from a wide array of people, many of whom have little knowledge of the facts.

"Unless there is a statement that specifically comes from Mr Huang or his authorised representatives, which presently is solely Hill & Knowlton Hong Kong office, we would suggest such comments should be given little credence."

[PhilDunphy]

REDS FEAR MEGA BID TO SNATCH TORRES

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is pleased Fernando Torres has pledged his future to the club after admitting the club would not be able to turn down a massive bid for the Spain striker.

Both Chelsea and Manchester City were rumoured to be considering a British transfer record bid for Torres in the £60m region but he returned to pre-season training this week and insisted his commitment had not wavered.

Liverpool clearly did not want to sell the 26-year-old but it was felt had they received a bid in excess of £50m they would have had to seriously consider it.

Hodgson knows a player of Torres' quality will always attract attention but he is thinking only of what the player can offer him in the coming campaign.

"The important thing for Fernando and for us is that we have a good season - he as a player, us as a club and me as a manager," said the 62-year-old.

"Who knows what next season will bring? We could have a fantastic season and the players will not want to go anywhere or we could have a worse one and there will be more speculation.

"It could be he does so fantastically well and an offer comes in like the offer came in for Kaka or Cristiano Ronaldo (£56million and £80million respectively - both from Real Madrid) which is impossible to turn down.

"But we will take that problem when and if it arises but the important thing is it hasn't arisen this summer because he is going to be playing for us.

"He is committed to playing for us and he is going to honour his contract and it is good for me he has made it clear he likes the club and the fans.

"It is nice now the speculation can finally end once and for all after Fernando made it clear how absolutely committed he is."

Amid all the rumours Hodgson, three weeks into his reign, flew out to see Torres while he was on holiday.

The player said he had been impressed by his new manager but Hodgson admits there were times when he feared he would lose Torres or Steven Gerrard, who was linked to Real before he committed his future to the club.

"I hate bland statements saying 'Don't worry, everything will be rosy' when you know the world of football and what we are up against," he added.

"I know the battles that have to be fought sometimes to get things right and I was anxious not to make any false promises.

"But it is a much nicer feeling today with all these players still with us with the possibility to bring in one or two new faces."

[PhilDunphy]

HODGSON EXPECTS MASCHERANO EXIT

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson fears that he will be unable to persuade Javier Mascherano that he has a future at Anfield if the club receive a realistic offer.

The Argentina captain has told the Merseyside outfit's hierarchy that he wants to end his stay, as speculation suggests that his family have become unhappy in England.

Mascherano, who was linked with Barcelona last summer, is himself thought to want to leave in order to follow former manager Rafa Benitez to Inter Milan.

Hodgson played a part in Fernando Torres' recent decision to confirm his commitment to Liverpool by visiting the Chelsea and Manchester City target during his post-World Cup holiday.

But the Reds' new boss, who succeeded Benitez at the beginning of July, does not believe that he will be as effective in influencing Mascherano, telling a press conference broadcast on Sky Sports News: "I think that will be slightly more difficult.

"If a big offer comes in for him and it is a club that he wants to go to, I think that will be harder.

"But the good thing for me at the moment is that we haven't had that offer and as a result I can continue to work with him and deal with him as a Liverpool player and consider him as a Liverpool player and just wait for the day, if the day comes, when the offer comes in.

"Then maybe if the offer comes in and it was the offer that meets our valuation and he wants to go, then I don't know that my powers of persuasion will be much good in that situation.

"But maybe they will never be needed because we might not get the offer and he might stay with us."

[cole_trickle]

New signing Joe Cole enjoyed a promising debut as Liverpool coasted to a 2-0 win in the second leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie against Rabotnicki at Anfield.

The England midfielder, who arrived on a free transfer having been released by Chelsea, was at the heart of his new side's best moves and set up the opening goal for David Ngog.

Captain Steven Gerrard slotted home a penalty just before the interval and after that it was more of an exhibition game.

The Macedonians put up little in the way of opposition and the visit of Arsenal in little over a week's time for the opening fixture of the domestic season will be a completely different proposition.

Although the match was only slightly more challenging than a regulation pre-season friendly the performance will have added to the growing feelgood factor at Anfield which has heralded manager Roy Hodgson's arrival.

Even if he does not manage to bring in any more players in either this transfer window - Liverpool had a bid for Middlesbrough goalkeeper Brad Jones turned down on the eve of the match - or the one in January the signing of Cole could well prove to be the Reds boss' crowning glory.

The 28-year-old was handed the central attacking role he so craves and he did plenty to justify his claims for taking that position off Gerrard, who has been so effective playing behind the striker in recent seasons.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti claimed this week Cole did not have the footballing intelligence of the man he signed to replace him, Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun, but his movement and trickery suggested Hodgson may benefit from his Italian counterpart's loss.

Hodgson opted to change the preferred 4-4-2 formation he used at Fulham and adopt the 4-2-3-1 employed by his Anfield predecessor but, unlike the last few months of Rafael Benitez's reign, the system looked more fluid.

Ngog had the ball in the net early only to be flagged offside but he fluffed his first genuine chance in the 14th minute.

A backheel by Cole released Gerrard who put last week's two-goal hero clean through and although Martin Bogatinov dropped to his knees far too early the French striker took the ball too close to the goalkeeper who cleared.

The precision of Cole's lofted pass was not matched by the first touch of Spain Under-19 international Dani Pacheco, making his first start, but the opening goal was not long in coming.

A low 25-yard shot by Gerrard was tipped around the post by Bogatinov and Liverpool took the lead from the resulting 21st-minute corner.

The captain played the ball short to Cole who curled a cross towards the penalty spot where Ngog headed in off the underside of the crossbar.

Five minutes before half-time Fernando Lopes fouled Ngog as he turned Lucas Leiva's looping header past the defender and Gerrard slotted home from the penalty spot.

Less than 40 seconds after the restart Cole's cross-shot rebounded off the angle of crossbar and post while another new signing Milan Jovanovic's low shot was palmed around his left-hand upright by Bogatinov.

Cole then forced the goalkeeper into a low save to his left, Pacheco fired in a shot from the left wide of the far post and Ngog headed tamely at Bogatinov as the one-way traffic continued.

Gerrard, who last week committed his future to the club despite speculation to the contrary, soon departed to a standing ovation to be replaced by Alberto Aquilani while Jovanovic, who had also flashes of some much-needed creativity, made way for Maxi Rodriguez.

But the focal point continued to be Cole, whose display deserved a goal, as he was denied at the near post again.

Yet another Cole pass played Rodriguez in on the right of the penalty area and he cut the ball back on to his left foot but his shot was blocked by Egzon Belica.

Cole was destined not to get on the scoresheet as Martin Kelly's left-wing cross was too hard and high for the unmarked diminutive midfielder to get a proper header on.

However, Liverpool, who go into the draw in Nyon for the play-off round, will be more than happy if Cole saves his strikes for more auspicious occasions.


Hodgson focused soleley on football

After the match, Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson insisted speculation over the club's future ownership would not affect his focus on football.

"The interesting thing for me today was the game, that has been my total focus," Hodgson said. "When and if a takeover takes place I'm sure I will be informed.

"We have made some signings so far and we hope to bring in at least a couple of other players.

"I think the danger would be in a late takeover that money would be made available but we wouldn't have had a chance to research the players in this transfer window. We are doing our research in this window and targeting players that the club is capable and able to buy.

"If one day an enormous amount of money is made available like it was for Manchester City and Chelsea so be it, it would be nice. But we would still have to do a lot of research before we started splashing that money around.

"It is not a question of how much a player costs, it is how good he is."

Hodgson had praise for the impressive Joe Cole on his home debut after starting the former Chelsea midfielder in a central role behind striker Ngog.

"Joe is desperate to play. He came here because he thought he might get the opportunity to start more games than he did at Chelsea," added Hodgson. "He is an enthusiastic and effervescent footballer and the more he plays the happier he is.

"His energy and enthusiasm tonight meant he had a really good home debut."

On the team performance as a whole Hodgson added: "I am perfectly satisfied; we played some very attractive football and created lots of chances, more than the scoreline suggests.

"We kept our discipline and that was important too because it is so easy in these games to lose your way and for people to start doing things you don't want them doing."

[cole_trickle]

good to see Dani pacheco getting a game. Quality young kid

[East Boy]

good to see Dani pacheco getting a game. Quality young kid

Apparently he had a very good U/19 tournament. We need to keep hold of him and give him a chance this year. Slowly bring him up to the pace of the premier league. Maybe play him in all cup games would be a decent start.

[Judge Judy]

good to see Dani pacheco getting a game. Quality young kid

Definitely, need to give him more of a kick before he becomes disillusioned with life on Merseyside and heads for greener pastures

[Redders]

Latest rumours:

Crouch from Spurs.
Shaun Wright Phillips from Man City.
Poulsen from Juventus.

[BTAC]

Latest rumours:

Crouch from Spurs.
Shaun Wright Phillips from Man City.
Poulsen from Juventus.

Would love to have Crouch back. SWP and Poulsen I'm not too keen on though. I'd much rather Lucas be in the team than Poulsen, and we really don't need SWP given our depth in wingers now. I wouldn't start SWP over Maxi or Kuyt tbh.

[Chade]

Poulsen from Juventus.

SWP and Poulsen I'm not too keen on though. I'd much rather Lucas be in the team than Poulsen...

Considering Mascherano's doing his best to leave... wouldn't it be prudent? Do we even have another defensive midfielder with EPL experience...?

[10]

Konchesky rumoured too

[El Capitano]

Konchesky rumoured too

[BTAC]

Poulsen from Juventus.

SWP and Poulsen I'm not too keen on though. I'd much rather Lucas be in the team than Poulsen...

Considering Mascherano's doing his best to leave... wouldn't it be prudent? Do we even have another defensive midfielder with EPL experience...?

Well personally I think we should do our utmost to sign Steven Defour or Ever Banega if Mascherano does (eventually) make way.
Both young, very talented midfielders and would offer a whole lot more to the team than Poulsen.
But even if they are out of reach for us, I'd rather see Gerrard put in DM here and there rather than Poulsen. He'd be a waste of money IMO.

I wish they would hurry up and sort out this Mascherano situation though, its really dragging on too long.

[LeBron]

Well personally I think we should do our utmost to sign Steven Defour or Ever Banega if Mascherano does (eventually) make way.
Both young, very talented midfielders and would offer a whole lot more to the team than Poulsen.
But even if they are out of reach for us, I'd rather see Gerrard put in DM here and there rather than Poulsen. He'd be a waste of money IMO.

I wish they would hurry up and sort out this Mascherano situation though, its really dragging on too long.

Agree with you on either Defour or Banega rather than Poulsen

Inter Milan club president Massimo Moratti has revealed that Real Madrid's bid for Maicon is now dead in the water, and revealed the club do not have the resources to sign Javier Mascherano from Liverpool at the present time.

So they have to wait till they sell Balotelli to Man City b4 they have the funds(which doesn't seem too far away)

[Crazy_North]

i would also hate to see poulsen at Liverpool. He is not getting any younger or better.. he really does not have anything that will benefit us at this stage in time. We must look for young and exciting prospects.

[BTAC]

Pacheco has been given the number 12 shirt.
This suggests he'll be involved quite a bit this season

[Red-4-Life]

looking forward to the big opener vs Arsenal

[BrickTop]

+1 for Ever Banega. Love watching him play, skillful little fellow.