Liverpool Sale Plot Thickens After Kenny Huang Lawsuit Is Revealed

Potential Liverpool owner Kenny Huang was successfully sued for nearly $800,000 (£505,000) in damages by a former business partner after their relationship went sour.

The adverse court finding emerged as Huang was preparing to present Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton with an offer for the club and proof of funds ahead of a board meeting on Thursday that may decide the fate of the club.

Huang’s bid has been clouded in uncertainty since it was made public amid claims that it would be backed by investment from the China Investment Corporation, the Chinese state’s sovereign wealth arm.

On Tuesday Huang’s associate on the bid, Marc Ganis, added to the confusion, telling sportingintelligence.com that they had not yet decided whether to make an offer for the club and that no investors, including CIC, had yet been identified.

Huang is one of four potential bidders for Liverpool. Also understood to be considering offers are Syrian businessman Yahya Kurdi, who said on Tuesday he would not offer “one pound more” than the club are worth, New York investment house the Rhone Group, and the Kuwaiti Al-Kharifi family.

The Liverpool board are scheduled to meet to discuss any offers they receive on Wednesday having asked for proof of funds and detailed offers by then.

None of the potential bidders has yet provided proof of funds, though they are all understood to have been subject to background checks by parties involved in the sales process.

The adverse judgment against Huang was handed down in January 1999 by a circuit judge in Seminole County, Florida, and relates to a dispute with a former business associate, Yudong Zhang, and a company, T&K Guang Xin Enterprises.

According to the judgment, a copy of which has been seen by Telegraph Sport, Huang, then a resident of Las Vegas, was ordered to pay damages of $750,000 (£473,000) and interest of $788,300 (£497,000).

On Tuesday night a spokesman for Huang confirmed that the court had found against him in the case but declined to discuss what the source of the dispute was or the nature of the business venture.

Neither could he confirm whether Huang was appealing against the judgment, but he said Huang disputed that the money was owed to his former associates.

Huang has also recently won a legal dispute arising from his involvement in an attempt by a Chinese-owned car company to establish itself in the United States.

Huang was faced with suits for tortious interference with a business relationship, fraud, defamation and a breach of fiduciary duty brought by AutoChina Ltd, but won them all and was awarded $300,000 (£189,000) in damages earlier this year.

According to transcripts of the hearings, held in Miami in March, one of those behind the allegations was David Herzig, who is listed as a co-director in one of Huang’s firms, Aspen Infrastructure.

US Court records list Huang as being involved in several other court proceedings in the last six years. Huang’s spokesman said on Tuesday evening that he had not been found against in any of them, and that there were no outstanding legal proceedings against him.

“Mr. Huang’s focus is now on preparing QSL’s bid [for Liverpool] and he has briefed all of his advisers that he will be making no further comment at this point in time,” the spokesman said.

Earlier Ganis indicated that a bid was not certain. In an exchange with sportingintelligence.com, he said: “Among the most important points I have tried to get out is that no proposal [in relation to a Liverpool bid] has been made and no decision to offer a proposal has been made.

“There were many reports about CIC, yet at no time to [any] party, whether [to] the media, Sir Martin [Broughton] or Barcap, have we ever identified that CIC was an investor.”

Liverpool Bidder Kirdi Won't Pay Over The Odds

Prospective Liverpool owner Yahya Kirdi insists he will not pay any more for the club than it is worth and has warned any takeover would take "at least two months".

A range of groups have expressed interest in taking over Liverpool, and Kirdi issued a statement earlier this week saying he was "in advanced negotiations with Thomas Hicks and George Gillett, co-owners of Liverpool Football Club, to purchase 100% of the club".

Kirdi, though, has said the current owners have rejected two of his bids since they put the club up for sale in April and warned he would not overpay for the club.

"I can't pay one pound more than value of Liverpool," Kirdi told Bloomberg. "I'm not crazy."

Soccernet understands chairman Martin Broughton has yet to recommend a bidder on behalf of the board as he has yet to see proof of funds from any of the prospective bidders, and Kirdi has indicated that there is no prospect of a deal being completed before the close of the transfer window.

"I want at least two months, two months to see everything," he said. "After that if everything is OK it's a deal. If not, thank you very much."

He added: "I trust Martin Broughton and he'll decide who's good for Liverpool."

Given the negative perception of Hicks and Gillett among the club's supporters, Kirdi has said he is not "a cancer who takes money out of Liverpool".

"I've liked them since I was young," he said. "It's not important for me that I'm the owner of Liverpool. Whoever takes Liverpool must do good for the club."

Kirdi also said he felt new manager Roy Hodgson's more genial style would be far better for the club than the approach employed by his predecessor, Rafael Benitez.

"Rafael didn't do anything good for Liverpool," Kirdi said. "Hodgson is very good for Liverpool because he's not some kind of dictator."

The Royal Bank of Scotland could take charge of Liverpool if the club is not sold by October 6.

Fitness Is Key For Liverpool FC, Says Roy Hodgson

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has pin-pointed the key to success this season – simply keeping his key players fit.

Pivotal among them will be striker Fernando Torres, who in three seasons with the Reds has yet to get through an entire campaign injury-free.

Last season was the Spain international’s worst to date on Merseyside as he struggled with a groin problem before Christmas and then underwent two knee operations in four months, the second of which prematurely ended his domestic involvement.

Other players missed sections of last season with captain Steven Gerrard, defenders Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel and Fabio Aurelio and now-departed Yossi Benayoun affected.

It is something Hodgson knows he has little control over but he hopes, with the medical staff having had an overhaul during the summer with a new head of sports science in Dr Peter Brukner, that fitness will improve and bring more success on the pitch.

“It’s to do with the quality of the sports science and medical department,” said the 62-year-old. “Ours is very, very good, so I am sure that will be an enormous benefit.

“The other thing is how big a squad you’ve got to enable players to be rested when they need it, and to ensure they’re not being thrown into situations all the time where really and truly they’d have been better off having a rest.

“If we are to proceed in the Europa League (Liverpool face Trabzonspor in a two-legged play-off) it is going to mean an awful lot of matches, so the strength and size of our squad will be of vital importance.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re Fernando Torres or anybody else, to play three games a week for something like 35-40 weeks of the year is an impossible task at the level we’re playing at.

“But matches are won by players who go out onto the field; the better the players you’ve got to put on the field, the more chance you have of winning matches.

“In this convoluted world of football today we try to find excuses and reasons for things all over the place and forget sometimes the most important people in the game of football are those guys you pay to go and watch.”

One player who has experienced his fair share of injuries at Anfield is Aurelio.

The time he spent off the field contributed to former boss Rafael Benitez not giving him a new contract at the end of the season.

However, with cover at left-back thin on the ground the Brazilian has been given a second chance by Hodgson, who re-signed him last month.

“When you are in a top side like Liverpool you will always have competition for your place,” Aurelio said.

“I know they are looking for another full-back but if I can concentrate on my job and do well, hopefully that can convince the boss that I can be the first choice.

“I am thankful to the manager that I am back here.

“He wanted me to come back and now I want to repay him on the pitch, where I hope to be for most of the time this season.”

Hodgson Eyes Free And Easy Brazilian

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is monitoring former Sao Paulo defender Aislan who is available on a free transfer after being released by the club. The Anfield club tried to sign the defender in 2008 but baulked at the £10 million asking price.

The 6ft 4in defender was close to agreeing a new deal at the Brazilian club but instead opted to reject the offer of a new contract and look to find a new club in Europe, with Liverpool confirmed admirers of the talented youngster.

The tall Brazilian defender has reputation for being a commanding ball playing centre-back, who at the age of 22-years-old has been tipped for a big future in the game. Hodgson is looking at adding bodies to his squad and is weighing up a number of defensive options.

The reds manager is also thought to be looking at Paul Sharner, who is also a free agent having been released by Wigan Athletic.

Di Matteo Still Hopeful Over Ngog

West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo has revealed he is still working on a deal to sign Liverpool striker David Ngog.

West Brom have been linked with a loan move for Ngog throughout the summer but, after his brace at Rabotnicki Kometal, Roy Hodgson said he had no intention of allowing him to leave.

Di Matteo has said he is looking at several options as he attempts to bolster his squad for the new season but he is still hopeful of agreeing a deal for Ngog.

"Ngog is a player we've been linked with and we are working on that one," he said. "We're trying. It's ongoing. We are looking at a number of players we would like to sign."

Liverpool Ready To Sell Alberto Aquilani

Liverpool are prepared to part ways with midfielder Alberto Aquilani after just one season, according to The Mirror and LaRoma24.it.

The Italian arrived at the English Premier League side last summer for a hefty €20 million from Roma, but spent the first half of the season struggling with injury and only showed flashes of his talent in the latter part of the 2009-10 campaign. Due to his injuries and loss of form he lost out on a place in Italy's squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The Reds could sell the 26-year-old for just over half of what they paid for him, in order to gather the funds to make a bid for Belgian starlet Steven Defour.

Thus far, Liverpool have managed to hold on to a number of their stars this summer despite not qualifying for the Champions League, although Reds boss Roy Hodgson has admitted that Javier Mascherano is a prime candidate to leave.

Barcelona To Offer Liverpool Alexander Hleb As Makeweight For Javier Mascherano

With Inter Milan having rules themselves out of signing Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano, Barcelona are favourites to land the Argentinian and will offer former Arsenal man Alexander Hleb in part-exchange.

Mascherano has reportedly told Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson that he would like to leave Anfield. However, Hodgson has made it clear that the club, not the player will decide the terms of Mascherano's exit.

Barcelona attempted to sign the 26-year-old last summer and now Mascherano has reignited the possibility of a move to the Nou Camp with his representative in Spain Horacio Zandonadi saying, "The player would love to hear from Barca."

Reports in several Spanish dailies suggest that Barcelona are keen on capturing Mascherano and see him as the natural battling midfielder to fill the hole left by Yaya Toure, who left for Manchester City this summer.

However, Barcelona are reluctant to pay the expected 20 million Euro fee that Liverpool will demand. Newspaper Mundo Deportivo suggests that Barcelona will offer a cut-price 9.5million euros plus midfielder Hleb. The 29-year-old Belarus international had a relatively successful loan spell at Stuttgart last season, having failed to establish himself at the Nou Camp.

Liverpool Join Race For Fiorentina Midfielder Mario Bolatti

According to a report in Argentinian newspaper Ole, Premier League giants Liverpool are considering making a move for highly rated midfielder Mario Bolatti, currently under contract with Fiorentina.

The Reds are in the market for a new midfielder because of the possible departure of Javier Mascherano this summer and new manager Roy Hodgson supposedly sees the 25-year-old Bolatti as the perfect replacement.

Bolatti started his professional career with Belgrano and also played for Porto and Huracan before joining Fiorentina in January 2010. However, he has been unable to settle in his new surroundings and could therefore be on the move again.

The Argentinian international initially appeared to be on his way to River Plate on a one-year loan deal, but Liverpool's interest could very well convince Bolatti to stay in Europe after all.

Standard Chartered Eager For Liverpool FC To Bank Full Sponsorship Payment

Standard Chartered Bank relishes paying £20m to Liverpool FC this season – an indication the Anfield club has achieved a successful campaign.

The bank agreed a four-year £80m performance-related shirt sponsorship with Liverpool starting this season with remuneration linked to on-field achievements.

A repeat of last season’s lacklustre fortunes is unlikely to result in a maximum return under the terms of the deal, but Standard Chartered chairman John Peace is full of optimism.

“I would be disappointed if we did not have to pay up this year. We didn’t pay for poor results. I think Liverpool will have a great season.”

Standard Chartered’s pedigree extends to more than 150 years trading across the former British Empire in India and Asia, which is still its main business focus.

And self-confessed “soccer fan” Mr. Peace said Liverpool and the bank have much in common: “I came up to Liverpool some months ago to finalize the contract and one thing that struck me was how closely aligned the heritage of Liverpool and Standard Chartered is. We both care about the communities in which we serve.”

He believes both bank and club can prosper, particularly in the Asian and Far Eastern markets, where Liverpool’s brand is already assured.

Mr. Peace was in Hong Kong last week to announce the bank’s interim results, live on Chinese TV, which saw a 10% increase in pre-tax profits of £1.96bn.

He said: “I made quite a feature of our sponsorship with Liverpool and referred to them quite a lot and the fact that Torres will stay with the club.

“I think the fans should realize just how big Liverpool is in the Far East.”

Mr. Peace said it was too early for the bank to evaluate a return from its sponsorship, but added: “Judging by what has happened in the Press the last few weeks and the shots of the players in the shirts on TV, I think it bodes very well indeed.”

And he is keen to increase exposure for both parties in the bank’s main business arena: “I would love to see the club do a tour in the Far East and we would get right behind that and make it a success.”

Speaking of Liverpool’s successful entry into the Europa League against FC Rabotnicki last week, he said: “I was delighted with the result and thought the game had many high points.

“From a commercial view and the way Liverpool are promoting our name, I was proud to be associated with them.

“I am a big fan of Kenny Dalglish and have the memory of Liverpool being the most successful club in Britain. We should not go backwards to get back to where we were, but build on all the things we have achieved.”

Sahara Group Drop Out Of Race To Take Over Liverpool

The Sahara Group have dropped out of the running to complete a takeover of Liverpool after expressing initial interest earlier in the year.

The conglomerate - fronted by Subrata Roy - were understood to be one of six parties eager to oust American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks this summer. Speaking to Bloomberg, however, spokesman Abhijit Sarkar declared that no deal would be completed by the Indian company after the club asked prospective buyers to submit information of how a move would be financed.

He said: "The deal for acquisition of the Liverpool Football Club was in our consideration in the recent past.

"However, after considering all related factors, we have decided not to go ahead with it, at least for the time being."

Yahya Kirdi Liverpool Takeover To Be Completed By Premier League Kick Off

Syrian businessman Yahya Kirdi expects to conclude his takeover of Liverpool before their Premier League campaign kicks off this weekend, according to Sky Sports News.

The Anfield outfit has been put up for sale after American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks ran up huge debt to the Royal Bank of Scotland. Chinese sports entrepeneur Kenny Huang was believed to be the front runner to gain control of the club, but a spokesman for the Middle Eastern millionaire has stated a deal will be agreed with all parties within the next few days.

Kirdi - who is based in Canada - is fronting a consortium of North American and Middle Eastern investors. He is understood to have promised to pay for a new stadium and clear all debt.

A meeting with the American owners, Kirdi's group, chairman Martin Broughton and RBS is expected within the next few days. The ex-Syria international is believed to want a deal in place before Arsenal travel to Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Elsewhere, Kenny Huang's rival consortium has approached the 'Spirit of Shankly' supporters group to arrange a face to face meeting. A statement on their website read: "We cautiously welcomed the approach and restated our position, made clear recently that we are keen to engage with those charged with selling the club and any credible potential purchasers.

"We recognize that the intentions of any potential purchasers need to be thoroughly examined prior to any purchase of the club and involvement and discussion with supporters is the key to that.

"However, the club, their agents and any potential purchasers need to recognize where the supporters' organizations came from - they were born out of the betrayal by the current owners of promises they made when they purchased the Club and their action and behaviour afterwards."

Carra In The Dark Over Takeover

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher insists he and his team-mates have not been told anything with regards to the ongoing takeover talk at Anfield.

The Reds are preparing for a Premier League opener against Arsenal on Sunday, which can be seen live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1, but the club are also busy off the field.

American co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks appear to be on the verge of selling their control, with the likes of Chinese tycoon Kenny Huang and former Syria international Yahya Kirdi all being linked with the Merseysiders.

But Carragher is adamant that Liverpool's players are in the dark about the possibly of a takeover and that they are only concentrating on their on-field commitments.

"We haven't been told anything to be honest - it is to do with the people upstairs and I don't think we should get too involved," said the centre-back, who, manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed, is set to be offered a new contract once the ownership saga is concluded.

"Things like that our out of our hands. We just have to concentrate on doing our thing on the pitch."

Carragher is getting used to the new regime at Anfield under Hodgson and admits the club's first aim, having finished a disappointing seventh last season, is to get back into the top four.

And having under-performed so badly, recording their worst league placing for more than a decade, the 32-year-old is confident the Reds will bounce back in the coming campaign.

"With us being out of the Champions League, the main aim is to get back in the top four," he told talkSPORT.

"If we do that we will have done well with the competition from the likes of Manchester City.

"But if we are up there things might change and we can look further.

"Tottenham did really well last season (finishing fourth) but you don't know how Champions League football will affect them.

"Some clubs will drop back and some will go forward - hopefully we are one of the ones going forward."

Agent: Mascherano Keen On Barca

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano would "love" to join Barcelona this summer, according to his Spanish representative.

Mascherano, 26, was strongly linked with a move to Barca last year, but no move was agreed and, having asked to leave Liverpool upon his return from the World Cup, he was expected to join Inter this summer.

However, Inter have indicated that they need to sell before they can fund a move for Mascherano and, with Barca potentially in the market for a replacement for Yaya Toure, agent Horacio Zandonadi hopes a deal can be agreed.

"The player and all of us would love him to be at the club," he told COMRadio, a Catalan station. "The numbers are close to half what Barca were being asked to pay for Fabregas.

"He has not renewed his contract and they promised that this year they would help him leave. We're talking about a much easier situation than last year."

Massimo Moratti Admits Inter Lack The Financial Resources To Sign Javier Mascherano

Inter president Massimo Moratti has admitted it is unlikely that the Champions League holders will sign Argentina international Javier Mascherano from English titans Liverpool this summer.

The Nerazzurri are continually being linked with a move for the holding midfielder, but Moratti has stated that Inter lack the financial resources to meet Liverpool's hefty demands.

"At this moment, we're unable to make any transfers of this magnitude," said Moratti in reference to Liverpool's hefty asking price in an interview with Corriere dello Sport. "We can't make any big transfers until we've sold someone."

Brazilian defender Maicon was continually being linked with a move to Real Madrid in the past couple of months, but Moratti confirmed earlier on Monday that the full-back is going nowhere.

However, striker Mario Balotelli appears to be on his way out of the club and could be sold to Manchester City later this week.

It's not yet certain though whether Inter will re-ignite their interest in the 26-year-old Mascherano once they have cashed in on Balotelli.

Daniel Agger Backs Christian Poulsen Transfer

Liverpool's Daniel Agger has backed potential new signing Christian Poulsen to replace outgoing midfielder Javier Mascherano.

30-year-old Poulsen is on the verge of completing a £6million transfer to Anfield this week, and is being touted as the natural replacement for Mascherano.

Mascherano is expected to leave the club this summer, though favourites Inter Milan have reportedly backed out after Liverpool slapped a £35m price tag on the Argentinian.

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has backed any potential transfer, telling the Sun: 'Christian would be a perfect addition to most of the big clubs in Europe, so he will certainly fit in here.

'He is a top player and will make us stronger. We need to have big signings so we can compete and he is one of those players.

'Christian will improve the team. But we need more improvements if we want to be at the top of the league this season.

'Maybe he will find the pace of here a bit of a culture shock. He will have to get used to the extra high tempo.

'He has played in Italy, Spain and Germany and done very well, so I don't see any reason why he shouldn't be a success with Liverpool.

'We have Mascherano but it looks like he is leaving so there is a gap there.'

Defender Ready To Challenge

Danny Wilson admits the past year has surpassed even his wildest expectations but acknowledges there is still plenty of work ahead if he's to establish himself at Anfield.

An incredible debut season in football saw the 18-year-old help Rangers to a domestic treble and earn himself the SFA and Football Writers' Young Player of the Year awards in the process before Liverpool swooped to snap him up on a three-year deal last month.

And though understandably ecstatic at the path his career has taken so far, Wilson is well aware breaking into the Reds' first team could prove to be his biggest test of all.

"There's being patient and there's sitting back and accepting it," he said. "I want to push myself into the first team at Liverpool as quickly as I can but it's the manager's decision.

"If you ask any player if they feel they're ready to play, they'll say yes and I'm no different. If the manager feels I need more time, I'll accept it and work even harder to get into the side.

"My aim for the season is to get games under my belt and be there or thereabouts. I'm in with the first-team squad right now and I plan to stay there. The training is different but it's something I'm enjoying. There's a lot of defensive focus on it and that will benefit me - I'm only 18 and need to keep learning."

He added: "As a kid, you always have dreams of playing in England for a big club but that's just your imagination. For it to happen in 10 months after my debut is incredible.

"It's more than I hoped for but I don't think I've made it yet. It's important to stay grounded - my family would never allow me to get ahead of myself.

"I want to keep progressing and be the best player I can be. I'll only do that by working hard and not becoming an idiot."

With the likes of Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger and Sotirios Kyrgiakos already at Anfield, Wilson accepts racking up the appearances may prove easier said than done, particularly in his maiden campaign in the Barclays Premier League.

However, a move to Anfield was one the centre-back simply could not turn down.

"I would have been happy to stay at Rangers had Liverpool not made an offer," said Wilson. "But once I knew they were interested, the thoughts going through my head were that it was a chance I wanted to take.

"It was an offer I felt I couldn't turn down. Rangers are a massive club but so are Liverpool. They're a top club and the offer to go there doesn't come up every day. I didn't want to think in a few years' time, 'I could have gone there'. I wanted to challenge myself and not worry that it might not happen for me."

Wilson is one of several players to have upped roots and left Ibrox this summer, but he's predicting a successful 2010-11 term for Walter Smith's men.

He said: "They've lost a few players but they'll still be the strongest team in Scotland next season - I have no doubts about that.

"That's simply because of Walter's influence and the players they've managed to keep. I still think they can see off Celtic this season."

Carragher: I've Made It Easier For Players To Retire

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has revealed that it is easier for players to retire from international football because of the likes of himself, Paul Scholes and Alan Shearer starting the trend, however, the reds stalwart hopes that international retirement does not become a regular pastime.

Carragher quit international football after years of being left out of England starting elevens with Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Matthew Upson and Ledley King being picked ahead of the Liverpool centre-back, leading to Carragher’s retirement from international football to focus on club commitments.

This week Blackburn Rover’s keeper Paul Robinson and Manchester United’s Wes Brown retired from England duty, following in the footsteps of the likes of Carragher, Scholes, and Shearer.

Carragher told talkSPORT: “I think myself and Paul Scholes (retired from England) in quite a short space of time together and I think Alan Shearer was a few years before that and it was something that wasn’t really heard of or done.” He said.

“We all had our own reasons but even though I’ve done it myself it’s difficult for me to criticise other people and I don’t want do that. But I do hope that it’s not something that happens all the time now because I do think it would take something away from international football.

“I just think that now it’s maybe a little easier to do it because of what myself and Paul Scholes and maybe Alan Shearer done. Maybe we took the flak at the time because it was something that wasn’t that common in the game, people weren’t too happy about it and I totally understood that view.” He continued.

"But I think now we’ve probably made it easier for people and I’m just hopeful it’s not something that is happening on a regular basis now with lots of players.”

Liverpool FC Need To Avoid A Slow Start This Season

It takes around 90 days to build up, but the optimism of a football fan can just as easily be dashed in the space of 90 minutes these days.

A summer spent dreaming of glory can quickly turn into a season spent fearing the worst; such is the “need it now” nature of the modern game.

Accordingly, much of the build-up to the eagerly-awaited Premier League kick-off will centre on the need for sides to make a good/solid/strong/flying start to the campaign. Liverpool will entertain Arsenal at Anfield on August 15 hoping to hit the ground running under new manager Roy Hodgson.

But just how important is it to do so?

Last season, the opening weekend brought with it talk of a title-challenge, but ended in little more than a rude awakening.

Liverpool went down 2-1 at Tottenham – the side who would eventually elbow the Reds out of the top-four. A poor pre-season was allowed to leak into the new campaign; the Reds’ flat, lifeless display at White Hart Lane was an alarming precursor to a season which never got going, and ended with them languishing in seventh place.

Aston Villa would leave Anfield with victory a fortnight later and Rafa Benitez’s side – despite a six-game winning streak in September – never truly recovered.

The strange thing is Liverpool under Benitez traditionally enjoyed reasonable starts, often struggling more throughout late autumn and winter. The Spurs reverse was the only time in the Spaniard’s six years on Merseyside that the Reds lost their opening league fixture.

In 2007 they began the season with a run of 14 games undefeated, before a 3-1 reverse at Reading in early December triggered a collapse. They would record just two league victories between December 2 and February 2.

A year later, it was a similar tale. Benitez’s side went ten games unbeaten until a defeat at struggling Tottenham on November 1, but would see their title challenge unravel with a string of costly draws – especially at Anfield. They ended the season four points behind Manchester United – who had begun the campaign slowly, with just one win in their opening four games.

Indeed, strong starts seem to be something of a Liverpool forte; last season’s opening day defeat was only the fourth time the Reds have been beaten on the opening weekend in the last 34 years. Joe Fagan, Kenny Dalglish and Roy Evans were all unbeaten in opening day fixtures. But there is little guarantee that a strong start can be maintained.

In 1990/91 for example, Dalglish guided his reigning league champions to a record-breaking eight straight wins to open the season. Liverpool’s first defeat came on December 2, in their 15th game.

Ominously, however, that defeat came at Arsenal, who would go on to overhaul the Reds in the second half of the season, winning the title by seven points. Dalglish would resign in February of that season, and Liverpool, of course, has not won the league since.

Three years later, Dalglish’s replacement – Graeme Souness – would also depart mid-season, despite a strong start in which the Reds won four of their opening five games; hinting at a title challenge before imploding as autumn turned to winter. If a bad start should not be treated as a disaster, then equally a good one should not be met with too much euphoria.

Obviously the alternative scenario is that a strong start enables a side to gain momentum and confidence, which can see them through to a successful season. Liverpool in 1987/88 equalled a top-flight record (then set by Leeds in 1973/74 but since beaten by Arsenal in 2003/04) of 29 games unbeaten at the start of a season. Ultimately it would be, of all teams, Everton who would bring an end to that run, but Liverpool would have the last laugh as they romped to the title, despite a late wobble.

How Roy Hodgson would love a similar start to his reign at Anfield. The former Fulham boss has been dealt a tricky set of fixtures to begin with; after hosting Arsenal in the opening weekend’s standout clash, Liverpool must travel to free-spending Manchester City the following week, and face big games with Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea in their opening ten matches.

Hodgson would do well to take heart from the early results of some of the Reds’ greatest ever managers; Bill Shankly, for example, lost two of his first three fixtures – and heavily, too – after taking over from Phil Taylor in December 1959, whilst Liverpool started so slowly under Kenny Dalglish in 1985/86 that Alan Hansen claimed the side was the worst he’d played in. They went on to win the Double that season.

It will give Hodgson heart to note that history shows a sluggish start need not be fatal to a side’s chances. After all, you get nothing for being top of the table in August.

Premier League Season Preview: Liverpool

Next into the Dragon’s Den are Tom and George and they’re looking for £800million for a 100 per cent stake in Liverpool Football Club.

It was the best club in the world but is laden with debt and now can boast only to be the seventh best in England.

The Europa League beckons, the famous Anfield home is earmarked for demolition and Mascherano wants to leave.

Roy Hodgson performed miracles at Fulham and might need to do the same here but he will find expectations and egos scaled up.

Erm, like your pitch but I’m out. Kenny Huang?

Boss’s toughest job

Where to start. Hodgson must prioritise the League and stop the rot. Keeping hold of key players this summer was a good start. Great things are expected of a mediocre squad.

Hiccup on horizon

The Hicks-Gillett saga must surely end soon. Without fresh investment, the club could be the biggest yet to go bust, which would be less a hiccup, more a projectile vomit.

The numbers game

1 - The number of times Liverpool have faced a top-four side (this time Arsenal) on the first day since 2003

20 - How many times the Reds hit the woodwork last season, more than any other side in the Premier League

Alternative sponsor

History Channel - Them were the days. Twenty years and counting.

Ins/Outs

In – Jonjo Shelvey (Charlton, £1.7m), Milan Jovanovic (Standard, free), Joe Cole (Chelsea, free, right), Danny Wilson (Rangers, £2m)

Out – Albert Riera (Olympiakos, £4.2m), Yossi Benayoun (Chelsea, £6m), Philipp Degen (Stuttgart, loan), David Martin (MK Dons, free), Mikel San Jose (Bilbao, free)

Keep an eye out for

Raheem Sterling Age: 15 Position: Attacking midfielder. Signed from QPR earlier in the year where he was playing Under 18 football at 14. England Under 16 is blessed with abundant pace and skill and can play on either wing or through the middle. Recently made debut in a friendly against Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Fan’s view

Dave Stevens: We need to get back the morale and confidence we lost last season. With the new manager and a new owner I see no reason why we can’t compete at the top.

Liverpool FC Want Two Bids On Table By End Of The Week

Liverpool FC chairman Martin Broughton wants to have at least two firm bids for the club on the table by the end of the week.

Several names have been linked in recent days with a takeover of the club, with Chinese tycoon Kenny Huang and Syrian businessman Yahya Kirdi the most prominent figures. But no formal offers have yet been tabled.

Now Mr. Broughton wants the interested parties to prove they have the funds to buy the club.

He hopes to have two or three detailed bids on the table by the end of next week.

He could then enter detailed negotiations with the bidders, who could in turn begin a detailed examination of Liverpool’s finances.

It comes amid warnings that Liverpool FC could effectively become a state-owned enterprise unless a deal is agreed within weeks. State-owned Royal Bank of Scotland could take over the club if a sale is not completed by October 6 – the date the bank’s £237m loan to the club expires.

The leading potential bidder for Liverpool FC is currently a consortium led by Chinese businessman Kenny Huang.

The group said it wanted to pay off Liverpool’s debts, invest in the playing squad, build a new stadium and launch a push to promote the club in Asia.

It has not said how much its bid would be worth, though it is believed to be talking about an offer of £325m – well below the £600m-plus valuation Liverpool FC’s unpopular American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have put on the club.

The group, which includes Mr. Huang’s business partner Guang Yang and American sports consultant Marc Ganis, also denied speculation one of its key funders is the China Investment Corporation – the investment arm of the Chinese government.

Mr. Ganis said: “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.

“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.”

Rival bidder Mr. Kirdi is understood to be favoured by Hicks and Gillett because a bid from him would leave them with a higher pay-off.

He leads a bid including investors from the Middle East and Canada.

Other potential bidders are reported to include the Kuwaiti Al Kharafi family and private equity company the Rhone Group. Rhone made a bid to acquire a 40% stake in the club earlier this year that was dismissed by Hicks and Gillett.

Leading supporters’ group Spirit of Shankly – ShareLiverpoolFC (SOS-SL) has warned that the club should not simply be sold to the highest bidder.

The 50,000 strong group says Broughton should ensure the club is not burdened with debt and has enough resources to compete at the highest level.

SOS-SL also urged RBS to “select the most suitable investor consortium”.

Liverpool FC’s £237m debt to RBS is due to be repaid on October 6 and if a sale has not been completed by then the bank could choose to take control of the club.

RBS is 83% owned by the taxpayer, meaning the club would effectively be nationalized.

That puts more pressure on Broughton to agree a deal quickly.

Last week Liverpool FC company secretary Ian Silvester said: “From what I understand, and it’s all I can say, the urgency is there due to the pressure from the banks, so I would anticipate that something will be happening within the next four to six weeks or so.”