Kenny Huang To Sweeten The Liverpool Deal

The battle for the hearts and minds of Liverpool supporters has begun in earnest after the Chinese investors seeking to buy the club outlined a series of pledges aimed at underpinning a long-term Anfield revival.

The charm offensive came as Kenny Huang and his backers drew up plans to submit a bid of about £400 million to speed up the sale process and offer owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks the chance to save face.

Huang, chairman of QSL Sports Limited, has outlined ambitious proposals through an intermediary to run Liverpool debt free, expand the club’s fan base and commercial activities in Asia and invest heavily in manager Roy Hodgson’s squad – the only high-profile arrivals this summer, Milan Jovanovic and Joe Cole, having joined the club on free transfers.

There is also a promise to kick-start the much-delayed plans for a move to nearby Stanley Park.

The plans will only come to fruition if Huang’s consortium take control of Liverpool and they also insisted yesterday they are not interested in lining the pockets of Hicks and Gillett.

But, after previously pitching an opening gambit of about £350m, which would only cover the club’s debts, it is understood they are ready to up the ante.

The interest of Huang is understood to have won support from Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton, managing director Christian Purslow and director Ian Ayre. They hold the majority on the five-man Liverpool board that was created in March and which saw management control pass from Gillett and Hicks.

In effect, that means the Americans can be out-voted on what happens to the club they still own, although in that event it is possible they would consider a legal challenge which would further drag out the ownership saga.

That is why Huang’s consortium are ready to up their formal proposal to about £400m and offer Gillett and Hicks a small profit on their troubled three-year tenure.

It would still be some way short of the £500m Dubai International Capital offered in March 2008 and nowhere near the huge sum Hicks has previously spoken about when valuing Liverpool at between £600-£800m.

Marc Ganis, whose Chicago-based company Sportscorp Ltd has helped form the Chinese investment group, said: “If anybody wants to [pay that figure], good luck.

“We know what we would be prepared to do. If somebody else wants to look at it in a different way, it’s their money. That would be their business, not ours.

“What is not one of our goals is the enrichment of the existing owners. If we submit a proposal and it is accepted, it would be focused on the future and not the past.”

Liverpool wants all interested parties to submit legally binding proposals, containing proof of funding, in an effort to accelerate the sale.

That will put pressure on Syrian businessman Yahya Kirdi – whose son has been training at Liverpool’s academy – to reveal where his money is coming from and make good claims he is close to a deal having spoken directly with Gillett and Hicks.

Huang has contacted Liverpool officials and the Premier League, which must be notified of any change of ownership 10 days before it happens.

“We haven’t submitted a formal proposal but we submitted the broad parameters of what a proposal would look like to see if it would be welcomed, and it was,” said Ganis.

Details of who is backing the Chinese bid have, however, emerged.

QSL is headed by Huang and Guang Yang, executive vice-president of Franklin Templeton Investments and chief investment officer of the China Life/Franklin Templeton Fund. They would be the only owners involved in the management of the Liverpool.

Other investors – potentially including the China Investment Corporation – would be passive, and each would own no more than 20 per cent.

Arsenal Launch £23m Pepe Reina Transfer Bid

Arsenal has launched a sensational £23 million bid for Liverpool stopper Pepe Reina, it has been revealed.

While Arsene Wenger is not known for parting with large sums of money, it is believed he will pay up to £25 million in order to land the Spain international and bring the club's goalkeeping woes to an end.

Last season saw several keepers, including Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski, take time between the sticks, with none securing their place as absolute first choice.

Despite the large sum of money on offer, Liverpool is unlikely to part with a player deemed to be one of the Reds' key assets and a likely future captain. Reina also only recently signed a new six-year deal with the club.

The Merseysiders' lack of strength-in-depth in the position could also dissuade new boss Roy Hodgson from agreeing to the sale.

However, Liverpool's bid for Middlesbrough's Brad Jones earlier this week, could indicate that the club is looking for a replacement for an outbound Reina.

Christian Poulsen To Sign Liverpool Deal Next Week

Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen will ink a deal at Liverpool within the next week, according to his agent.

Goal.com UK revealed last month that Reds boss Roy Hodgson will target Poulsen if Javier Mascherano joins Inter.

After being deemed surplus to requirements by new Juve head coach Luigi Del Neri, the Denmark international is set for an imminent switch to Anfield.

Speaking to Ekstra Bladet, agent Jorn Bonnesen confirmed talks were under way between the sides and he expected the deal to be finalised within seven days.

He said: "It won't take more than a week before this is sorted out.

"It might be already in the beginning of next week. Christian Poulsen is Roy's man.

"He will be playing as defensive midfielder at Liverpool. I returned home with a good and positive impression."

Genoa Close To Signing Emiliano Insua From Liverpool

The Italian sports news channel believes the Grifoni are close to signing Insua, just days after Fiorentina pulled out of a deal for him.

Genoa won't stop signing players as they are about to complete a move for Liverpool's Emiliano Insua, according to Sky Sport Italia.

And, should the deal go ahead, the Argentinean defender will be the club's ninth signing of the summer transfer window.

Insua was close to joining Fiorentina after they had agreed over a fee with Liverpool.

However, on Tuesday Viola sporting director Pantaleo Corvino confirmed the player would not be joining the club after they failed to agree on personal terms.

Corvino tried his best to land the stopper, extending talks with Liverpool chiefs until 2am on Tuesday, but the player's high wage demands scuppered the move.

Genoa has now pounced with Sky Italia claiming they have been in talks with player and club over a deal.

On Thursday Grifoni chief Enrico Preziosi hinted at a new arrival, but didn't mention who it would be, but it seems his side has sneaked in for the defender.

Dani Pacheco Wants To Stay At Anfield

Dani Pacheco has said he does not want to leave Liverpool, ending speculation surrounding a possible exit for the youngster.

Up to seven clubs across Europe had been linked with Pacheco after he impressed during the U-19 European Championship earlier in the summer.

He arrived at Liverpool in 2008 and has struggled for first team opportunities since he came to Anfield, but he played the full 90 minutes as Roy Hodgson's side beat FK Rabotnicki 2-0 in the Europa League qualifying this week.

Pacheco told Click Liverpool that he is hoping to sit down with Hodgson and discuss his future, but he does want to continue his footballing education at Anfield.

"I really want to be here," said the forward.

"I will talk with the manager in a few days and we will decide my future. Hopefully I will stay and be able to get some games so we will see.

"I will try to work, get as many chances as I can and take them when they happen."

Following the two-legged win over FK Rabotnicki, Liverpool has been drawn to take on Turkish cup winners Trabzonspor in the Europa League play-off round.

The six-time Turkish champions could pose a tough challenge for Hodgson's men as they look to make it into the group phase of the competition.

Joe Cole: First Time I’ve Had No Stick At Anfield

New Liverpool FC signing Joe Cole admitted to being nervous ahead of his competitive debut at Anfield, but it did not show as the former Chelsea midfielder was the stand-out player in the 2-0 Europa League victory over Rabotnicki.

The 28-year-old did everything but score, providing the cross for David Ngog’s opening header before Steven Gerrard converted a penalty after the French striker was fouled just before half-time.

It secured a 4-0 aggregate victory over the Macedonians in the third qualifying round, securing them a play-off tie against Trabzonspor.

“It was good, I was nervous before the game but it’s always like that when you go to a new club,” said the England international.

“It was good to get 90 minutes in and get the win in the end.

“The main difference (at Anfield as a Liverpool player) is that I wasn’t getting too much stick.

“That’s different.

“I enjoyed it, I needed the 90 minutes. I ran out of petrol a bit with 20 minutes to go but it was needed.

“It would have been nice to have scored but I’m sure that will come soon.”

Hodgson had praise for his new signing 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,” said the 62-year-old.

“He is an enthusiastic and effervescent footballer and the more he plays the happier he is.

“His energy and enthusiasm meant he had a really good home debut.”

Hodgson Vows To Sort Out Carra's Contract

Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher will be offered a new contract in the near future, according to Reds boss Roy Hodgson.

The 32-year-old's current Anfield contract expires at the end of this season but Hodgson has no doubts that the one-club man will be offered a new deal once the uncertainty about Liverpool's ownership comes to an end.

"I'm sure it (a contract extension) will be a priority," said Hodgson. "Quite frankly so much has happened in the last five weeks, the hours I've spent at the club are enormous, that we haven't actually got round to discussing contracts with players.

"I now know that Carragher has got one year left. That's the only contract of a player that I know about. If you asked me how many years the others have got, I haven't got a clue.

"I can see players like Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard never leaving Liverpool Football Club. I can see them always being part of the club.

Fernando Torres Was Waiting For Barcelona Move Until Last Minute

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was reportedly “waiting” for a move to FC Barcelona until the very last minute.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Spaniard did not want to join Manchester City or Chelsea - who bid £40 million for the player as well as reportedly offering him a huge contract.

Citing a close friend of both Barcelona President Sandro Rosell and Torres – an associate who was said to be responsible for talking to the player – the paper said contact was first made with the striker before the new Nou Camp chief was elected.

Torres was said to be “excited” by the possibility of a transfer to the Catalan club, although it later emerged that Barcelona would only make a move for the 26-year-old should Zlatan Ibrahimovic leave the Nou Camp.

And according to the report, only when it became apparent that the Swede was staying put, did Torres commit his future to Liverpool.

Nevertheless, the paper added that in fact, the Catalan club has not closed its lines of communication with Manchester City and AC Milan over the possible sale of the Ibrahimovic.

Hodgson Fails To Bring Hyypia Back To Liverpool

Roy Hodgson has revealed he failed in an attempt to bring Bayer Leverkusen defender Sami Hyypia back to Liverpool.

Hyypia, 36, left Anfield last summer after ten years at the club to sign a two-year deal to play in Germany, but reports had claimed Hodgson wanted to bring him back to Liverpool in a player-coach capacity.

Hodgson, who managed Hyypia during his time in charge of Finland from 2006 to 2007, has now confirmed he made an offer but said Leverkusen would not allow him to leave.

"I can see players like Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard never leaving Liverpool Football Club," he said on Click Liverpool. "I can see them always being part of the club. In the same way I'm a bit disappointed that my attempts to bring Sami Hyypia back failed.

"It only failed because he's so important to Bayer Leverkusen. We couldn't get him out of his contract. He's one I would also put in the Jamie Carragher-Steven Gerrard mould - Liverpool for life.

"Unfortunately he was let go at the end of the season before last and we can't get him back. He's too valuable to them."

Liverpool FC Ownership Must Be Sorted Soon, Says Roy Hodgson

Roy Hodgson insists speculation over Liverpool FC’s future ownership will not affect his focus on football but admits the longer it takes the more difficult it makes his transfer options.

The 62-year-old Liverpool FC manager enjoyed a straightforward Anfield debut as his side beat Macedonians Rabotnicki 2-0 in their Europa League third qualifying round second leg, a David Ngog header and a Steven Gerrard penalty wrapped up a 4-0 aggregate victory before half-time on the night.

However, Liverpool FC is currently being dominated by issues off the pitch as various factions jostle for position in the race to take over from American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Rumours on Thursday suggested the Chinese government was behind a bid fronted by Hong Kong-based businessman Kenny Huang while Syrian Yahya Kirdi has claimed he is in pole position to become the new owner.

Hodgson admits he does not have any involvement in that side of Liverpool FC’s business but he is acutely aware what impact continued delays in a change of ownership could have.

"The interesting thing for me was the game, that has been my total focus," he said on Wednesday night.

"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 the Englishman.

"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."

Ganis And Huang Will Make 'Substantial Money' Available To Liverpool

Kenny Huang has delivered an outline takeover proposal to Liverpool's chairman, Martin Broughton, pledging to erase the club's debt, build a new stadium and to provide significant funding for player transfers.

Marc Ganis, Huang's long-term associate and a sports consultant who lives in Chicago, today confirmed that he made contact with the Liverpool board on Monday on behalf of the Hong Kong-based investment vehicle, QSL Sports.

"We haven't submitted a formal proposal but we submitted the broad parameters of what a proposal would look like to see if it would be welcomed, and it was," said Ganis. Preparing to fund the deal, as revealed by the Guardian yesterday, is the China Investment Corporation, as a "passive investor".

Ganis promised that substantial money would be available to the club. "Liverpool is and always should be one of the highest-spending clubs in all of football," he said. "And our financial models presume Liverpool will be at or near the top in spending on players every year."

Also involved in QSL alongside Huang and Ganis is Guang Yang, a senior investment-fund manager with Franklin Templeton. Huang and Yang would oversee the day-to-day operations at the club, however Ganis reassured fans that the current executive structure, led by the managing director, Christian Purslow, and commercial director, Ian Ayre, would remain in place.

"From what we have seen from afar, many of the people currently running Liverpool are doing a good job," said Ganis. "There shouldn't be an expectation there would be a mass upheaval if we submit and are approved."

However a deal would see the departure of Tom Hicks and George Gillett. The pair are known to believe the club is worth £800m but Huang's consortium will not stretch beyond repayment of the loans they have invested in the club, and would provide no value for their shareholdings.

"What is not one of our goals is the enrichment of the existing owners," Ganis said. "If we submit a proposal and it is accepted, it would be focused on the future and not the past.”If anybody wants to [pay for the Hicks/Gillett shares], good luck. We know what we would be prepared to do. If somebody else wants to look at it in a different way, it's their money. That would be their business, not ours."

There will be little Hicks and Gillett can do about that. It is Broughton and his co-directors Ayre and Purslow who hold sway in the takeover battle surrounding the Anfield club. Although Hicks and Gillett remain on the board, under the terms of the latest refinancing agreement on Liverpool's £237m loan with Royal Bank of Scotland, they cannot determine who takes over if Broughton, Ayre and Purslow vote en bloc in favour of any particular bidder.

Since their principal motivation is the future stability of the club, Ganis and Huang thus made great play of the potential for huge revenue growth if the club taps in to the Chinese market, which QSL would be uniquely well-placed to achieve.

Defour Chase On Hold Until Next Summer

Liverpool and Manchester United will have to wait until next summer to battle it out to sign Belgian midfielder Steven Defour, according to the player’s agent Paul Stefani. The Belgian international will instead spend the forthcoming season in his current surroundings at Standard Liege.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was thought to be leading the race to sign the player while Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City are also closely monitoring the situation. Having sustained a terrible leg break last season, Ferguson and Hodgson are now cautiously waiting to see if the playmaker will recover from the potentially career threatening fitness problem.

Defour, 22, won the Golden Shoe in 2008, the official award for the most valuable player in the Belgian league, however the leg break sustained in September 2009 kept the talented midfielder on the sidelines for much of the last campaign. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson even wrote to the player to commiserate over the leg break which ruled him out of much of last season’s Champions League campaign promising to keep in touch with the youngster’s progress.

Representative Stefani revealed yesterday: "It's very likely Steven will be a Liege player this season.

"In the future, you don't know. Of course there is interest from some clubs but Steven wants to play more games at his current club.

"He has had an injury and needs to get back playing regularly, so for now it's best if he stays put."

Stefani confirmed to Sport.co.uk on Monday that Defour must concentrate on his recovery this summer:

“At the moment we are waiting for Steven’s injury problems to be finished and for him to start training. He is not 100 % fit and he has not recovered fully from his injury. So nothing can happen.

“You never know what will happen in the future, but at the moment there is nothing, he must concentrate on recovering.”

Liverpool Plan Cut Price £12m Manchester City Duo Raid

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is rumoured to be lining up a move to bring cut price Manchester City pair Shaun Wright-Phillips and Wayne Bridge to Anfield.

The newly installed manager is looking to bring in more quality additions to his squad but is having to work with a restricted budget but believes that Roberto Mancini’s need to trim his weighty Eastlands squad could help secure the England international pair on the cheap.

The former Chelsea pair are both not likely to be first team starters next term and could well be interested in a move to the Merseyside club where they could reignite their flagging careers and perhaps even revive hope of an international future.

Roy Hodgson is keen on inject more experienced talent into his line up and could well be in need of a new left back. Fabio Aurelio was recalled back to the club and Emiliano Insua is yet to conclude his deal to join Fiorentina but arguably Bridge would be a player who would ease nicely into the full back spot.

The club has also would also benefit from some more natural width and given that Shaun Wright-Philips plays chiefly on the right this could give Dirk Kuyt the chance to revert back to his natural position of out and out forward. The pint sized 28 year old would also add some more creativity to the club’s midfield and still has a great turn of pace and an eye for goal.

The pair could be snapped up for as little as £12m as Roberto Mancini looks to cut his squad ahead of the new 25 player Premier League limit.

Boro Quote Liverpool £3m For Keeper

Middlesbrough wants a staggering £3 million for Australian keeper Brad Jones - after turning down a bid for half of that figure from Liverpool.

Boro supremo Steve Gibson is holding out for the massive sum despite the surprise move from the Kop, first revealed by Football Spy.

Jones is willing to move to Anfield and cover for keeper Pepe Reina but the deal is now in jeopardy as Liverpool does not want to spend so much on a number two.

Liverpool could now go back for Reading's Adam Federeci after cooling on a move for him because of his inflated valuation too.

Agent Of Juventus Midfielder Christian Poulsen Confirms Liverpool Talks

Christian Poulsen's Liverpool move is progressing as his agent confirms talks with the club over his transfer from Juventus.

Reds boss Roy Hodgson has made it clear he wants the midfielder at the club as he prepares for life after Javier Mascherano, who looks set to join Inter.

Poulsen's agent Jorn Bonnesen has confirmed he has been in talks with Liverpool, but he failed to spell out where the axe would fall in terms of a concrete agreement.

"To tell the truth I don't know if we are in agreement with Liverpool," he told Tipsbladet.

"It's a question that is not resolved in just two minutes. What's more I don't know if Liverpool and Juventus have reached an agreement.

"I have met with the English directors to negotiate personal terms and to hear what they are offering."

Sky Sport Italia claim Bonnesen is still in Merseyside wrapping up a deal for his client. Liverpool are reportedly paying Juventus around €6 million for the transfer.

VfB Stuttgart Sign Liverpool Defender Philipp Degen On Season-Long Loan Deal

Stuttgart have signed Liverpool outcast Philipp Degen on a season-long loan deal, according to Sky Sports News.

The defender arrived on Merseyside from Borussia Dortmund in 2008, but has since failed to create an impact significant enough to receive regular first-team football.

New boss Roy Hodgson had also previously confirmed that the Switzerland international does not form a part of his plans for the upcoming season.

The 27-year-old now reunites with his former boss Christian Gross in Germany, having already played under the coach during his days with Basel.

The Bundesliga club's general manager Fredi Bobic had previously confirmed the deal, as he told ZDF: "Philipp Degen will arrive for his medical on Friday and, if this all works out, then he will sign his contract. We have reached an agreement with the club and also with the player."

Degen said: "For me this loan represents a great chance to rediscover my best form."

Liverpool Ask Potential Owners To Prove They Have The Money

Liverpool are believed to have told all potential owners that they will have to prove that they have the money before the middle of next week.

The Reds' takeover has been the subject of much discussion, since current owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett - who have an unsavoury reputation with the fans - decided to put the club up for sale.

It was initially believed that Kenny Huang, backed by the Chinese government, was set to takeover the club imminently. But recent reports also pointed towards former Syria international Yahya Kirdi - who represents Middle East & Canadian investors - as being very close to a takeover.

To add to the mix, there had also been some speculation that the Rhone Group - who were previously believed to have been interested in a takeover - were back in the race to buy the Merseyside club.

Now The Times has reported that the Reds' chairman, Martin Broughton, put across a deadline to the bidders to prove their worth.

It is believed that a takeover could be completed within a week from now, with Huang currently the frontrunner in the race to acquire Liverpool.

Match Report: Liverpool 2 - 0 Rabotnicki

New signing Joe Cole enjoyed a promising debut as Liverpool coasted through 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 Friday's draw in Nyon for the play-off round, will be more than happy if Cole saves his strikes for more auspicious occasions.

Liverpool FC Ownership Situation Is No Excuse For Failure - Hodgson

Roy Hodgson has warned Liverpool FC the ongoing uncertainty over the club’s ownership will not represent an excuse for failure this season - and urged the Reds’ under-performing stars to "take a look in the mirror".

The Merseysiders missed out on a Champions League place as they finished down in seventh place in last season’s Barclays Premier League and were left facing a Europa League qualifier against Macedonian minnows FK Rabotnicki, the second leg of which is on Thursday night.

The summer since has seen fevered speculation over the future of co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, which has come to a head in recent days with Chinese businessman Kenny Huang registering an interest - but distancing himself from a formal bid for the club - while former Syria international Yahya Kirdi claims a deal "is in the final stage of negotiation".

Hodgson will not allow the turmoil to distract his team, and said: "As a player you have a chance to change things around here.

"I won’t go down the ownership route other than to say we know the ones we have now are very unpopular. That’s well documented - they know it and that’s why they are prepared to sell.

"But if you don’t think that the team is doing as well as it should, then as a player you can do something about it.

"We want our big players doing well. If they are not, I shall be advising them to look in the mirror and not to constantly look for excuses elsewhere and blame the owners for not having spent £500million.

"I am skeptical about comments in which players are questioning the club’s ambition. I would tend to throw that back at them and say that the club’s ambitions rest in your hands, you’re the ones playing for us and you’re the ones people are paying to watch.

"If we look at Real Madrid last season, they spent an absolute fortune on two or three players and it still didn’t get them what they wanted. They didn’t win the Champions League. They didn’t get to the semi-finals and they didn’t win their league or the Spanish Cup. I rest my case."

Hodgson is not concerned by the possibility his comments could upset the club’s big-name players, and continued: "I’d tell the players of the highest echelon to look in mirrors and analyse their performance. I am not fearful of doing that.

"We will push the players and some of them won’t like it, but my sympathy always lies with them and in my 36 years in management I have not been let down very often, so I must be right in my experience of trusting them."

Indian Billionaires Pitch For Liverpool Football Club Ownership

The battle for Liverpool Football Club’s ownership became hotter on Thursday with Indian billionaires Mukesh Ambani and Subrata Roy jumping into the fray to buy Liverpool.

Mukesh Ambani, who owns Reliance Industries Ltd, India’s largest company by market capitalization, and Subrata Roy who owns Sahara Group that sponsored the Indian cricket team, have submitted their bids to buy the team, popular tabloid The Sun reported.

The move comes nine months after their reported failure to buy a 51 percent stake in the Anfield outfit, which Ambani had denied.

Indian billionaires will now face the Chinese government in the battle to buy the Reds, joining at least four other interested buyers including Chinese sports tycoon Kenny Huang.

Huang, who is backed by the $332-billion Chinese Investment Corporation, held talks to buy Liverpool’s $286 million debt off Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia.

However, the report said Huang, who is backing the new Reds boss Roy Hodgson with a $180 million transfer kitty, has emerged as the favorite to replace unpopular Yank owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

The Anfield auction is now wide open, the report said.

"Some potential buyers have declared their interest but haven't tabled a bid, whereas Ambani and Roy have put their money on the table. At this stage Liverpool are happy to let everyone compete against each other to squeeze out the best possible deal," the report quoted an unnamed insider as saying

Ambani, 53, was buoyed by the success as a franchise owner of a cricket team in India that played at the popular annual cricket tourney Indian Premier League. He is valued at around $19.86 billion and is rated India's richest man.

Ambani's fellow billionaire Roy, 62, is head of Sahara Group, a sprawling conglomerate worth more than $7.94 billion, who is also sponsoring the Indian hockey team. He won the franchise bid recently to own another cricket team that will play in the next year's Indian Premier League cricket tournament.

Hicks and Gillett valued Reds at $963.46 million after Huang's interest emerged.