Liverpool need DIC to match the Big 3
How things change…
When the Arabs and the Americans were jostling for position to take over Liverpool, the arguments raised against the Arabs were political - could you trust them, was their money legal, how did they treat their women and children, etc etc.
Sure, they looked at the financial aspects - no debts, plenty of money to buy new players, a business philosophy that insisted on creating the best possible team / company / project, and did I mention bags of money that could have helped finance Stanley Park and then some?
But all that got thrown out of the park and Liverpool went with the Yanks.
Fast forward to today and Liverpool fans want DIC to buy out the Americans - because of the debt, because of the lack of funds for Stanley Park, because they want to push their own debt onto Liverpool, because they talked to Klinsmann (and told the press about it), because they’re not backing Rafa to the hilt in signing Mascherano now rather than later, and because it is Rafa, the man who won them the Champions League without any money, who is considered the saviour as opposed to the Americans, who promised money but could not deliver the level of overhaul required to match the top 3.
Hicks and Gillett have denied that they are contemplating a sale, but with reports that DIC have made an offer and that negotiations are on the profit the Americans will make, there is a certain level of anticipation amongst Liverpool fans (not to mention the English press) that Liverpool will have a change of ownership before the end of the season (better now than at the end, lest Rafa leave and Mascherano get out of their hands).
I think that the Americans will be able to refinance the deal - that’s not the problem - and I think that like Glazer, these guys are in for the long haul and treat Liverpool like a piece of good real estate - but if the DIC do make an offer and they make it GOOD (500m is not enough IMO), then it would be in Liverpool’s interest if DIC took over and gave Rafa the support he needs to help Liverpool break into the top 3.
But Hicks and Gillett are in this for their own profit as well, and because of that we are likely to see them try their best to refinance the debt and create a situation where they can be in control next season. Would that mean the end of the Rafalution? After the Klinsmann debacle (and especially after Hicks, like an idiot, told the press about it - I mean, come on, how hard is it to figure out that the fans wouldn’t like it and that the press will twist it around and use it against you?) and especially if he doesn’t get the support needed to take Pool forward, Rafa might jump.
And don’t look Mourinho’s way, he’s not coming…
- Liverpool FC v DIC-Backed AFC Liverpool: Who Will Win The Premier League First?
- Hicks slams shut doors of reconciliation at Liverpool
- Liverpool Watch: Mascherano to sign, Hicks to buy out Gillett, what Carragher did and the fan-based LFC bid
- Manchester United v Tottenham preview | Fergie sticks both feet into Liverpool | Manchester City fans must show their class
- Soccerlens Q & A: Are Chelsea As Beautiful As Arsenal? Who Will Own Liverpool? Why Did Tottenham and Everton Lose? Should Theo Leave Arsenal? When Will Ferguson Retire From Manchester United?
Discussion - 5 Responses
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You have to thank the Liverpool Board members for selling the club to so called Amrican Tycoons… if you had a choice to get one owner who will it be ….
DIC has the the money so WHATS THE PROBLEM…..
If you want to be one of the big 3 you have too spend…
The Amaricans will only put Liverpool into more debt…which means that the Coach will have too bring in more silver ware this season…
My feeling SELL SELL SELL and get rid of those so called Tycoons ….
How exactly is money the problem here when Rafa has blown more cash in the past 3-4 years than any other club except Chelsea? Granted Man United have spent a lot of money this season, but they’ve gained money last season and the season before in transfers. Rafa’s made 30 signings, only Torres, Alonso/Mascherano, Reina and maybe Agger are key players for the club. That’s 4/11 places reserved for Rafa’s signings.
Talk about out of proportion. This whole saga has taken on legs and reached at stage nearing hysteria…and for what reason?
Hicks and Gillett delivered a sizable transfer fund to Benitez in the summer. They then significantly advanced the plans for the new stadium and, for the most part, have remained in the US and not interfered in any way.
At the start of the season the fans, players and manager were all happy with the business done and optimistic of a successful season.
Suddenly, after a dip in form in the league and a bad start in the CL, Benitez changes his mind about this (has to be some reason for the change of fortune after all!) and makes the first move and biggest mistake in this whole saga to date…he criticizes the owners publicly on transfer funds, something he should have dealt with privately, or not at all, considering how well they had already fronted up.
A meeting, a smoothing over of realtions and statements from the owners that all was well and Benitez had their support. Well handled…end of a storm in a tea cup.
Mistake number two was the revelation by Hicks that Klinsman was approached. Can’t think why he would make this public. Klinsman has since moved on and the aforementioned reconciliatory talks had taken place so again…a storm in a tea cup. Forget it and move on. Concentrate on the football.
But the Liverpool fans won’t let it go. Why?
None of the anger coming from the Liverpool fans is really about this at all. It’s referred anger. They’re upset at once again being out of the Premiership race by January and facing a huge task to progress in the CL.
Most of all they’re upset because, as usual, expectation ran way ahead of reality and they now realise that what they thought was a silk purse is actually a sow’s ear (their team that is).
If everyone keeps a lid on it and accepts that it will take 3 or 4 years of spending at the same level as Man U and Chelsea to have any hope of getting with the pace then blood pressure will be a lot lower at Anfield.
And while on the journey I invite Liverpool fans to take, for once, a good objective look at Benitez. His overall transfer record is poor and his tactical nous and rotation policy are both worthy of ongoing scrutiny. He may deserve more time but, frankly, anyone who thinks he is blameless when it comes to the current mess, and that he deserves unquestioned loyalty, really doesn’t understand what’s best for Liverpool football club.
Houllier, with the support of the Anfield faithful, overstayed his welcome by a good 2 to 3 years and held back progress in the meantime. Learn from your mistakes.
Move on and stop kidding yourselves as to where the problems lie.
have to agree with BD on that.
fair play to rafa, two CL finals in three years, and one won, but apart from that he’s won nothing. against the rest of the ‘big 4′ liverpool don’t do nearly as well as they need to, and their home form this season has been terrible…4 home wins!
i can see why the fans love rafa, but they haven’t realistically challenged for the premier league for over a decade now, and this season they’re in danger of not qualifying for the CL. i think they’ll finish 4th, but i’d love for a team like villa or everton to nick it from them.
and he hardly won the CL with no money, he’s spent over £100million in his time there, and who has he got to show for that? alonso, reina and agger are his only great purchases: torres was worth the money but hardly a hidden gem and mascherano isn’t theirs yet. maybe rafa can win the league but he needs to buy players that are good enough to require a start in very game they’re fit for, not squad players. surely he’s realised that rotation has taken him out of the title race before christmas every season!
his hundred million could have bought him two quality full backs and a second world class striker easily, then maybe they could have challenged for the premiership and the champions league insteadof just focusing on one when they do poorly in the other