Saturday, April 09, 2011

Liverpool Owners Deny Plans To Buy 'Token' Players In The Summer

Liverpool's owners have rubbished suggestions that they will buy 'token' players in the summer in a bid to crack the Asian market.

Fenway Sports Group president Sam Kennedy told BBC News that the Reds will not be signing any players just to sell T-shirts, and that any new arrivals will be based on footballing talent rather than marketability.

'In 2007, the Red Sox signed pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka out of Japan, and everyone suggested that this was being done for business reasons," said the FSG chief.

'But any player that we sign for the Red Sox or for Liverpool will be signed for their impact on the sports field, not business reasons.

'Winning on the field comes first, and business issues come second. Business supports the activities on the playing field.'

Club sponsors Standard Chartered recently indicated that the Merseysiders should cash-in on the Far East market by signing an Asian player.

FSG also confirmed that the wheels are in motion to appoint a permanent manager at Anfield, and hinted what many people already know - that Kenny Dalglish is a serious front-runner.

'The conversations are happening now with the appropriate people - Ian Ayre (managing director), Damien Comolli (director of football) and the ownership,' said Kennedy.

'But I do think he (Dalglish) has provided a great lift. He is a wonderful man, and he is passionate about the club.'

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