Liverpool FC Owner John Henry Sets Out His Vision For The Reds

Owner John W Henry has urged Liverpool’s players to give everything to help lead the club up the Premier League table.

The American, who also revealed that his sports investment company New England Sports Ventures (NESV) will change its name to Fenway Sports Group, reiterated his promise to restore the Reds to their former glory.

But he insists success will only come if everyone is pulling in the same direction.

Speaking to the independent Liverpool FC website Red and White Kop, he said: “The club has gone through a very difficult period and the period has not ended.

“It’s up to us to build a winner going forward. It’s up to them (the players) to determine to win now. We saw a certain team on the field against Chelsea last week that showed what they can do.

“We also know how competitive the EPL is this year. There are no guaranteed matches any longer for any club. This club can be better.

“Blaming the manager or any one particular player is simply wrong. This club needs to play up to their potential every match. If they don’t, they won’t win.”

Looking further into the future, Henry vowed to invest in the playing squad but believes the club will conduct most of its business next summer rather than in January.

“We have work to do and must invest in this club to improve it on the field,” he added. “Can that be successfully done in January? A number of people I’ve talked with doubt it.

“Most people seem to think it will be the summer before we can really begin to improve. So the players – all 11 each week – have to be on the same page every match and have to live up to the history and respect this club has engendered – no matter what.

“I’ve met with a number of our players and had private discussions with some of them. I’ve been greatly impressed by them personally. They are all exceptionally bright and they all want to be here.

“The question they have had, rightfully so, is whether or not the club is going to go in the right direction. They all want to see that. I have been very forthright about our philosophy and about what we are going to try to achieve.

“Some would prefer a quick fix. Others prefer to focus on the long-term and that is very difficult for most players.

“But this club needs everyone on the same page every day. We need everyone focused on what needs to be done in the next match facing us and during that match.

“The club should not have to settle for less. As one insightful player told me, “The spirit of the side needs to be there like a family – as one.”

Responding to fans’ fears about a lack of football expertise and experience at senior management and board level, Henry pointed to the recent appointment of Damien Comolli as director of football strategy.

He said: “Damien has a philosophy that is similar to ours and what has made us successful in Boston. But he is just our first appointment.

“We don’t know English football, but we do know the sports business and what it takes to be successful.

“You must first of all have the right people in place and you must be able to give them the resources they need to be successful. With the new Financial Fair Play Rules coming into effect next year, we know that we need to emphasize revenue growth. That is an area we feel we are very strong.

“The best way to market Liverpool FC globally is to win because the fanbase is already so large globally. If we build the right team on the field, everything off the field will take care of itself.”

Henry said chairman Tom Werner and himself will be frequent visitors to Anfield.

He said: “We will be in London and Liverpool with regularity. There is a lot to be done. We speak about the Sox and LFC daily – seven days a week.

“We are working on teleconferencing as well as spending time in Liverpool. In the digital world of today one can say almost nothing is local. It has never been easier to work from a distance.

“But like Fenway, Anfield will be hard to stay away from. We’ve really enjoyed our time in Liverpool thus far.”

Asked what Liverpool’s new owners can give to Liverpool in terms of a personal vision and philosophy, Henry said: “We will have to be bold, thoughtful and aggressive in order to do the right thing for the community, for the supporters and for the club long-term.

“Liverpool values are well known. What makes Anfield so special beyond the history of the ground are the people who populate Anfield each match. They value the club first and foremost.

“That is what we have to ensure every person who wears a kit or works for the club at any level has in the their minds first and foremost – the club comes first.

“In Boston every player who puts on a Boston Red Sox uniform knows what it means to wear that uniform. It’s something very special. Wearing that uniform has a great deal of meaning.

“We have a Red Sox way that is discussed in spring training each year. It is a privilege to work for the Boston Red Sox at any level. We have Red Sox Ambassadors who spend their days ensuring that people outside of the organization know how much all of us inside the organization appreciate our fans and visitors to Fenway Park.

“The values that we have to strive for within the club at Liverpool emanate from the supporters. We cannot have anyone at the club who when they walk into the Academy, Melwood or Anfield, aren’t aware of club values and that the club comes first and foremost.

“We have to have everyone from top to bottom on the same page – exactly the same page. And we will.

“We will make mistakes and it will be up to us to correct them. With the level of support this club has, if we are all on the same page, we will be incredibly successful.”

Comolli Outlines Liverpool Transfer Plans

New Liverpool director of football strategy Damien Comolli insists that he will be working closely with Roy Hodgson to bring new faces to Anfield in the coming transfer windows and stressed that his position will not undermine the manager.

Comolli joined Liverpool from Saint Etienne two weeks ago and it has been suggested that the club's new owners appointed him as a result of doubts about Hodgson's transfer record since taking arriving at Anfield.

Hodgson has brought Joe Cole, Paul Konchesky, Christian Poulsen and Raul Meireles to the club, but all have flattered to deceive thus far, and it is thought that John Henry sought out Comolli in a bid to improve the quality of new recruits.

But Comolli has moved quickly to play down reports that he will have final say in any future transfers, insisting that he and Hodgson will work together to target new players.

"I think it was just a feeling between the owners and Roy as well that they wanted someone to be in there and come and help on a daily basis, support Roy in terms of making sure there is the best structure around all the club in all the areas which are football related," Comolli told Liverpool's official website.

"In the short term, in my position you always think of the next window or the next two windows and I think everybody has got this in mind. As I've just joined, we've got only a few weeks to prepare for the window but we are also looking at the summer transfer window.

"That's what I would call short term but then long term we are already looking at things like the pre-season tour for next season, we are already looking at the academy to see what we can improve, what the targets are there in England, young players who we could bring in, the same thing about Europe, to identify players around Europe that we'll be trying to bring in. It's a mix of short term and long term which I think is one of the beauties of this job.

Comolli has built a strong reputation for spotting talent during spells at Monaco, Arsenal - where he helped unearth Gael Clichy and Kolo Toure - and Tottenham. Comolli was responsible for bringing the likes of Gareth Bale and Luka Modric to the White Hart Lane, though he also facilitated the signings of the significantly less successful Adel Taarabt and David Bentley.

After clashing with then-Spurs manager Martin Jol, who complained several players had been signed without his permission, Comolli was later sacked along with Jol's successor Juande Ramos.

But the 37-year-old Frenchman is confident that a strong relationship with Hodgson will help bring the Reds success.

"We've been talking at length since I joined, several times a day on different issues and different matters, not only related to the transfer window or to scouting, we talk about everything. I think this relationship is going to grow in a positive way, that's for sure. We see things the same way. So far everything we have discussed we totally agree and have the same vision. I expect that's going to go on.

"When you see the clubs he has managed and the national teams he has managed, what he's done at Fulham, what he's done at Blackburn and obviously being in charge here. Obviously, when you have managed Inter Milan as well and all the pressure there is there at one of the biggest clubs in the world, you have to have respect for what he's done.

"I think sometimes it becomes controversial and it should not be. As John Henry said, it will be a consensus among us. That's the way John sees it, that's the way I see it and that's the way Roy sees it. The manager's decision and the manager's opinion on a player is absolutely crucial."

Liverpool In Shock Link To £8 Million Defender

Liverpool are being linked with a shock January move for Middlebrough defender David Wheater.

The Championship centre back has previously been linked with Premier League clubs, but club chairman Steve Gibson has constantly resisted selling Boro's prize asset. However, interest from Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson could force the club to cash-in on the player.

Wheater graduated through the club's academy to become one of the top players at the Riverside, learning his trade during three loan spells before becoming a regular in the north east.

Tipped to leave the club after Premier League relegation back in 2008-09, Wheater decided to stay in a bid to help Middlesbrough return to the top flight of English football.

After last season's failed attempt and a change of management at the club, Liverpool are thought to be in a position to make an offer the player can't refuse.

Hodgson has courted the player in the past, making an offer during his time as manager at Fulham. A versatile defender, the 23-year-old could play in a central or full back position for Liverpool.

The Reds have been promised money to spend by new owners NESV, with Hodgson set to have around £35 million at his Anfield disposal in 2011.

'Five or six' players are thought to be on the agenda, with Liverpool looking to add strength-in-depth in a number of core positions.

The Metro reports that Liverpool are considering a bid for the player, with West Ham, Stoke and Everton also thought to be keen on the player.

Liverpool Face Italian Fight For PSV Wing Wizard

Liverpool face strong competition from Juventus in the race to sign PSV Eindhoven winger Balazs Dzsudzsak.

The Hungarian international was reportedly watched by Liverpool scouts last weekend, and scored a double against Utrecht to send the Reds team back to Merseyside with a glowing reference for Roy Hodgson.

However, Serie A giants Juventus have now been confirmed in the race to sign the player by agent Jozsef Vorosbaranyi.

"As it has been published in the press now I can admit that we've been in contact with Juventus for a couple of months," said Vorosbaranyi.

"I know he would like to go to Spain but it would be difficult to reject an offer from Juventus. Balazs also likes the atmosphere and the high attendances of the Bundesliga and he wouldn't say 'no' to a playful team from the Premier League."

Arsenal and Spurs are also thought to have taken an interest in the player, but it's Liverpool who have been most closely connected with the 23-year-old attacker.

Signed by PSV in 2007 from Debreceni VSC, Dzsudzsak is most naturally a winger but can also play in the striking positions.

Liverpool have been linked with a string of such players in recent weeks, with Hodgson looking to invest in 'five or six' players at Anfield after being promised funds by new owners NESV.

The player is flattered by the overall interest, stating: "I've been linked with many clubs recently so I don't want to say more about this news until there is more."

With the transfer window drawing ever closer and Dzsudzsak's form improving at the Phillips Stadium, Liverpool will have to move quickly in 2011 if they want the player on Merseyside as a potential foil for Fernando Torres.

Roy Tracking French Talent

Reports claim Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson was in Auxerre on Sunday scouting potential new recruits.

The Reds manager is said to have attended Auxerre's Ligue 1 fixture with Rennes, which the hosts won 2-1.

A number of players are believed to have been in Hodgson's thoughts when he arrived in France, with Liverpool desperate to add in January.

With new owners at the Anfield helm, it is expected that the Merseyside giants will have money to spend when the transfer window reopens.

It is thought that a defensive midfielder will be towards the top of their shopping list, with Rennes' Yann M'Vila a possible candidate to fill such a role.

The 20-year-old has already been capped four times by France and is likely to have figured on Hodgson's radar for some time.

Auxerre's Delvin Ndinga is another believed to have caught the eye, with a number of clubs from across Europe monitoring his situation.

Another player to have been linked with Liverpool in the past is Slovenian striker Valter Birsa and Hodgson may have taken the opportunity to run the rule over him.

The Auxerre striker impressed at the 2010 World Cup and it is expected to be only a matter of time before he is on his way to pastures new.

Hodgson Eyes Up Fanni As Johnson Replacement

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is ready to move for French right-back Rod Fanni - as he looks to replace Glen Johnson.

Hodgson flew to watch the Rennes defender against Auxerre on Sunday and is poised to make a bargain offer of around £3 million in the New Year window.

Fanni, 29 next month, is one of the most respected right backs in his homeland and has won five caps for France.

He has been close to coming to the Premier League before when Newcastle, Sunderland and Everton tried for him.

Hodgson is in the market for an experienced defender and is frustrated by England right back Johnson’s injuries and average form since he took charge.

Johnson will be sold in the January market if a suitable offer comes in and Hodgson’s decision to look at potential replacements points towards a change in that department.

Hodgson and Johnson’s relationship has become fraught in recent days after the Kop boss called Johnson’s England credentials into question.

He said: “To be frank, he has not performed up to now to the level I would expect of him. You would have to ask him the question, “Do you think you are playing at top form and are you playing like the best right-back in the country for your club?” If he says yes, we will have to agree to differ. And if he says No, then you have to ask the question, why not?”

Johnson’s response was to label Hodgson’s tactics ‘boring”.

Fanni is a regular in the Rennes side but almost joined Atletico Madrid in the summer before the move fell through.

Hodgson has been playing Jamie Carragher and young Martin Kelly as cover for Johnson during his absence, but a sensible investment in a mature international would fit in with his plans.

Liverpool’s new owners would like to sign young talent for the future, but there are short-term measures also needed - and landing a player who could take over from Johnson and give them a profit would also tick boxes.

Christian Poulsen Will Not Run Away From Liverpool - Agent

Christian Poulsen will not be seeking a move away from Liverpool despite his difficult start to life at Anfield, according to his agent.

A series of indifferent performances have led to question marks surrounding the future of the midfielder and rumours have begun to circulate concerning a move as early as January.

Goal.com UK exclusively revealed that the Reds are ready to sell the Dane when the transfer window re-opens in two months' time although Poulsen's representative, Jorn Bonnesen, insists that the combative midfielder is happy to stay at the club.

"I do not comment on speculation," Bonnesen told Bold.dk about rumours linking Poulsen with an early Anfield exit.

"Christian is happy to be in Liverpool. He is not one that sticks his tail between his legs and runs away.

"He is a type that will fight for his place and prove his worth."

Liverpool Confirm Fernando Torres Sustained An Ankle Injury During Loss To Stoke City

Liverpool have confirmed that striker Fernando Torres fell prey to an ankle injury during the recent loss to Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.

The 26-year-old sustained the injury during the second-half of the game, but managed to continue and play until the final whistle.

The club has now confirmed that the former Atletico Madrid man will link up with the Spain squad for their upcoming international friendly with Portugal, where he will be assessed by the national team's medical staff.

A statement on the club's official website reads: "Fernando Torres sustained an ankle ligament strain during Saturday's clash with Stoke City - but the striker will still join up with the Spain squad for their international with Portugal.

"The Reds' medical team has been in contact with their Spanish counterparts to keep them up to date on the 26-year-old's condition.

"Torres will have the injury further assessed by the Spanish medical staff ahead of the friendly in Lisbon on Wednesday."

Liverpool Job May Be Too Big For Hodgson

Roy Hodgson's appointment at Liverpool was greeted by a great deal of skepticism from supporters, but the national media, never too quick to criticize his predecessor Rafa Benitez, were purring.

The Anfield faithful were assured they were taking on a man of dignity, a man with class, and a man that would play the attacking football they craved. Claims that the job was too big for him were laughed off - this is, after all, a man that has managed Inter Milan and two separate national sides.

But Liverpool are a different proposition altogether. One of the two great sides in English football, one of the five biggest clubs in the world and one whose supporters DEMAND success.

The fans probably need to lower their expectations in truth - Liverpool are after all nothing like the force they were - but they have every right to expect more than what Hodgson's men served up at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

And the Londoner's post-match comments hardly screamed out 'class' or 'dignity'. "It was a triumph for Stoke's way of playing," he said.

A backhanded compliment if ever there was one, but he is right of course. It was a triumph for playing with two wingers, it was a triumph for playing with two strikers and it was a triumph for 11 players that fought to the death for their manager and their shirt.

It was a defeat for a side that set up to defend, a side that were disjointed, dispirited, despondent, a side that were clearly not fired up for the task.

The players themselves deserve criticism for that - they proved what they are capable of against Chelsea - but every ship needs a captain and perhaps Hodgson is just not that man.

It has been claimed he does not have the universal backing of the dressing room and that appeared clear as day at the Britannia - Steven Gerrard apart, there was no player that looked willing to fight for the shirt and the manager.

Hodgson hardly has an embarrassment of riches to choose from in fairness, but he is famed for getting the most out of players and that knack seems to have deserted him at Liverpool.

Take Fernando Torres for example - excellent against Chelsea at Anfield, but completely isolated at Stoke. Did Hodgson honestly believe the Spaniard could turn countless long balls into goalscoring chances? Against Ryan Shawcross and Robert Huth?!

Torres never had a kick, but it was hardly his fault and he must have been upset with the way his side was instructed to set up - the poor bloke never stood a chance.

Most bizarre of all is that Hodgson does not appear to see any great problem. He declared himself happy with the performance in the derby defeat at Goodison last month and was similarly unperturbed by the showing at Stoke, claiming "I thought we did very well for 55 minutes."

I'm sorry Roy, but you need to clear your desk right away if you think that was good enough for Liverpool. His side was on the back foot from the first whistle and was remarkably fortunate to go in level at half-time but it appears Hodgson would have been pleased with 0-0. Is 'hanging on' at Stoke acceptable for Liverpool these days?

They went to Stoke to defend, to frustrate and to avoid defeat. They were so comprehensively outplayed that a 2-0 loss flattered them. It could easily have been far worse, yet Hodgson accepts it.

"Stoke are a very difficult team to beat here," he argued. True, but would Sir Alex Ferguson accept a Manchester United defeat there? Of course not, and as manager of the other great club in England, neither should you Roy.

Stoke deserve an enormous amount of credit for their performance - they pressed high up the pitch, got the ball wide, gave the front two plenty of service and were full value for their win.

Yes, they scored from a Rory Delap throw, but they also added a fine second and played the better stuff throughout at the Britannia. They were the only side set up positively trying to win the game and there were a good number of their players - not least former Red Jermaine Pennant - that looked a class above their contemporaries.

This was the great, great Liverpool and they were utterly, utterly dreadful. They didn't play "very well" for five minutes Roy, never mind 55 and you need a serious reality check if you think they did.

Hodgson said the chants for Kenny Dalglish do 'not help anybody' but who can blame the fans? They will not accept performances like Saturday's and neither should the manager.

But he does, and for that reason he must be on the thinnest of thin ice.

Liverpool Set Sights On £6m Rated Midfield Starlet

Roy Hodgson is clearly looking to the future, as our new owners NESV who have apparently made it clear that they have a policy to invest in youth which shows a commitment to the future which is of course very laudable but perhaps the club should also be looking to the here and now, especially given the poor start to the season.

Whilst Liverpool have shown a marked improvement of late clearly the Merseyside club is still some way short of the kind of squad that can clinch a top four spot and therefore Hodgson will surely look to bring in some established players to sign in January.

That said, Adam Barton is by all accounts a player with great potential. The 19 year old is a talented central midfielder who would cost Liverpool around £6m though one could argue Hodgson would do better to invest the money in players who are Premier League ready.

Fernando Torres Ankle Injury Doesn't Keep Him Out Of Spain Squad

Liverpool have confirmed striker Fernando Torres will still report for international duty with Spain this week despite suffering an ankle ligament strain against Stoke.

The Reds striker required treatment during the second half of the 2-0 Premier League defeat at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday but still completed the 90 minutes.

Torres will now be assessed by Spain staff ahead of Wednesday’s friendly against Portugal in Lisbon.

An injury to Torres, who had hit form with four goals in four games prior to the weekend, is the last thing Liverpool need.

The defeat at Stoke also saw Brazil midfielder Lucas sent off late on after he picked up a second booking.

But manager Roy Hodgson insists his side is not back to square one after their six-match unbeaten run came to an end.

Ricardo Fuller and Kenwyne Jones did the damage with second-half goals for Stoke but Hodgson said: ‘I don’t see why it should give us enormous reason to doubt what we are doing or doubt what we are capable of doing.

‘I find it hard to have to explain that every time you win a game things are flying forward and when you get a bad result they are flying backwards.

‘I’m a 38-to-55-game-a-season man and I make my judgment over that period.

‘I don’t think I need to fear one setback in six is going to throw us back into a bad situation.’

Christian Poulsen To Leave Liverpool For Sevilla In January

Christian Poulsen could be set to end his Anfield nightmare by leaving Liverpool for former club Sevilla, according to reports.

Goal.com Spain comments that the Dane is unsettled at Merseyside and craves a move away from the Reds, with los Nervionenses emerging as front-runners to secure his signature.

Poulsen only joined the English Premier League side from Juventus during the summer, but has been unable to secure a first-team place under Roy Hodgson, who wants to make funds available to restructure his team in the winter market.

Sevilla coach Gregorio Manzano has demanded new signings be brought in, with central midfielder Tiberio Guarente ruled out until next season with a knee injury while winger Jesus Navas will be missing until the new year as a result of an ankle problem.

Goal.com reported earlier this week that the Primera Division side will look to add at least one new signing in January, with more new names arriving during the summer.

Hodgson Apologises For Comments On Johnson

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has apologized after his comments about Glen Johnson's form were interpreted as a criticism of the England defender.

Johnson has struggled to find any rhythm during an injury-hit start to the season and has missed the Reds' last three matches with a groin problem.

After Liverpool's midweek draw with Wigan, Hodgson said Johnson had not yet reached the level which made him a regular in Fabio Capello's side over the last year.

Reports then emerged claiming Johnson is unhappy at Anfield and that his relationship with the manager has deteriorated.

Hodgson responded after Saturday's defeat at Stoke by insisting he didn't mean to cause Johnson any offence.

"We all want Glen Johnson to find his England form, but that has nothing to do with him being injured at the moment," he said. "That was just a general comment that I think I was entitled to make.

"We have a player with ability and we are hoping he is going to bring that ability to the team because we want to use it help us win matches.

"It is no good being a player with great ability if you are not bringing that on to the field of play.

"We know Glen can and will do that but first and foremost Glen has to get fit and I'm hoping that will be the case by next Sunday (at home to West Ham) because he has made good progress.

"He as well as I knows this season he hasn't reached that form very often - it amazes me that when you make a statement of such obvious voracity people want to make headlines out of it.

"Everyone is saying what I am saying. I hope I am honest and I hope the players are honest.

"I didn't realize I had been accused of criticizing him; I don't normally criticize my players and I'm sorry if that has been suggested."

Kelly: I'll Play Anywhere

Martin Kelly has admitted he is still not sure what his best position will be in the future.

Liverpool's No.34 has earned rave reviews for his performances at right-back in the first XI but he is also equally adaptable at centre-half having began his career in that role at the Academy.

He has also played left-back in the Europa League this season.

"I'm still not sure what my best position is," he told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"I have played at centre-back for England U21s but at the moment I'm playing right-back for Liverpool which I'm enjoying and I am working as hard I can to adapt.

"It doesn't matter where I play for Liverpool and I just look forward to each game and give my best."

It has been a season of major progress so far for the Warrington-born defender. He has been a regular member of Roy Hodgson's squad and also made his England U21 debut.

He was part of Stuart Pearce's squad that qualified for the U21 European Championship finals which take place in Denmark in June 2011, and he is hoping to get the call come the end of the season.

"It's going to be a great summer and we've got a good squad and I am just hoping I will be involved," said Kelly.

"We have got a friendly against Germany this week so hopefully I will get the chance to show the manager what I can do."

Looking ahead to the summer's main event, Kelly added: "Playing in the U21 European Championships would be a fantastic experience for me.

"Being in the set-up with Stuart Pearce is also good for my development and I can learn a lot from him.

"I always enjoy it when I go away with the England U21 squad and I can't wait for Denmark."

Starlet's Anfield Dream

Liverpool record breaker Jack Robinson has revealed how he dreams of starring as a first-team regular at Anfield.

The tough-tackling full-back became the Reds' youngest ever player when he appeared as a substitute on the final day of the 2009-10 Barclays Premier League season at Hull City, aged just 16 years and 250 days.

Robinson is now an established member of John McMahon's reserve squad - but he's hoping to progress sufficiently over the coming seasons to achieve a lifelong ambition of running out in front of the Kop on a regular basis for the senior side.

The 17-year-old told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Having had that little taste of the first team, it's definitely where I want to be. That is my goal - to try and get back there in the next three or four years.

"Hopefully it's a realistic aim. I'm in the reserves now and if I can keep progressing and have a full year with the reserves, then maybe I can be involved in pre-season with the first team next summer.

"Then, if I do well, hopefully I might get a few chances next season."

Robinson was included in Liverpool's first-team pre-season preparations in Switzerland by Roy Hodgson during the summer.

He also figured as a substitute in the friendlies with Grasshoppers and Kaiserslautern.

Robinson added: "A lot of first-team players were there and they helped me a lot, telling me what to do. Even if I did something wrong, they'd pat me on the back, tell me to forget about it and to carry on.

"Roy was very helpful. He was always talking to me and letting me know whether he thought I was performing well or not so good.

"It was a great experience for me."

Liverpool Confirms Five New Directors

Following the termination of the Hicks and Gillett from the Anfield board – the reds have confirmed to the UK authorities the five new directors sitting on the Anfield board. All of whom are members of the NESV consortium.

We reported four of these as confirmed 10 days ago but the paperwork has now been completed and a further director has been appointed.

A company called UKSV (United Kingdom Sports Ventures) has been created to own Liverpool FC. This is a subsidiary of the American group.

John W Henry

Everyone is aware of the front man of the bid from NESV. The 61 year old first took a step in sports club ownership 21 years ago but it was the creation of NESV in 2002 and the purchase of the Boston Red Sox baseball team that has been the most well documented involvement in sports.

Tom Werner (Chairman)

The 60 year old made most of his personal wealth through his job as TV producer. He was a co-founder of NESV along with John Henry, and is currently the Chairman of NESV, Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC.

Jeffrey Vinik

The 51 year old current owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning, a Florida based Ice Hockey team. After owning his own hedge fund he bought the Ice Hockey team in February this year. He described the purchase of the Lightning as ‘a dream come true’.

David Ginsberg

He is one of two vice-chairmen at NESV. His relationship stretches back a long time as he used to work for John Henry as a fund manager.

Michael Gordon

Described as an investor in the group. He is a former business partner of Jeffrey Vinik from their days running an asset management fund.

Match Report: Stoke City 0 - 2 Liverpool

Liverpool's stuttering mini-revival petered out in dismal fashion as they lost 2-0 to Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

A six-match unbeaten run came to end as they were outfought, outplayed and outmanoeuvred by Tony Pulis' side.

Ricardo Fuller opened the scoring just after half-time and Kenwyne Jones completed a comprehensive victory in the final minute before Lucas Leiva was sent off for a second bookable offence.

The Potters were more than worth their win against a team who appear to have lost their way as quickly as they found it.

They have won away from home only once this season and only three times since last November.

Their first 45 minutes appeared to be a direct continuation of the second half at Wigan, where they had found themselves under almost constant pressure and were lucky to come away with a draw.

Only the returning Sotirios Kyrgiakos had not played in the previous two matches so there may have been an element of fatigue, especially as Stoke played a day earlier on Tuesday.

But no team in the Premier League, let alone a club like Liverpool, can expect to use that as an excuse for an abject and disjointed first-half display.

Roy Hodgson's side appeared unprepared and unable to deal with their hosts' brash, energetic approach which allowed them to dominate the game from first to last.

Stoke were appealing unsuccessfully for a penalty in only the second minute when Maxi Rodriguez leant heavily on Ricardo Fuller as they challenged for Rory Delap's long throw.

It was a sign of things to come as the visitors found themselves being forced back, looking worrying susceptible to Delap's trademark set-piece.

Midfielder Dean Whitehead benefited from weak headed clearances to fire in a low shot which Jose Reina turned around a post and then drill a similar 30-yard effort just past the angle of upright and crossbar.

Jones and former Reds winger Jermaine Pennant also had chances before Steven Gerrard registered Liverpool's first shot in the 29th minute, forcing Asmir Begovic to tip the low effort behind, although the goalkeeper dealt more comfortably with Raul Meireles strike from the resulting corner.

It was a brief retort which was soon forgotten when Jones rounded Paul Konchesky to cross low into the six-yard box, forcing Jamie Carragher to dive in front of Matthew Etherington to prevent the opening goal.

Less than two minutes into the second half Fernando Torres, who had been anonymous previously, was booked for tackling Pennant from behind.

But the real threat was still coming from Delap and Liverpool's inability to cope with his party trick finally cost them in the 56th minute.

A scramble saw the ball break to Etherington at the far post and his cross-shot bounced back off Konchesky to Fuller, whose had his first effort blocked but stabbed home the second from close range.

Despite the stereotype, it was Stoke's first goal from a Delap party-piece in 23 league matches.

Jones almost made it two when Martin Skrtel mistimed his jump but his left-footed effort beat both Reina and the far post.

Liverpool, as they did in the first half, had two chances in quick succession with Rodriguez shooting straight at Begovic from Dirk Kuyt's cut-back and Skrtel firing wide from Kyrgiakos' knockdown of Gerrard's free-kick.

David Ngog and Ryan Babel replaced Meireles and Rodriguez but with Liverpool still unable to gain decent possession of the ball it made little difference they effectively had four strikers on the pitch.

Their embarrassment was completed in the 90th minute when Gerrard gave the ball away and Jones was able to skip past Skrtel to fire home.

The dismissal of Lucas just compounded matters.

In terms of territory and control Liverpool have now lost the last five halves they have played in.

The 45 minutes prior to that had been the electrifying first-half display against Chelsea but team now appears to be on a downward spiral again.

It is a descent Hodgson has to arrest quickly. He left the Britannia Stadium with chants of "Dalglish" - a reference to former player and manager Kenny - ringing in his ears.

Hodgson: Fans Singing For Dalglish Does Not Help

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has expressed his frustration at supporters who chanted for club legend Kenny Dalglish to be put in place as manager during his side's limp defeat at Stoke City.

The travelling fans were heard singing for the Scotsman, who led the side to league titles in the 1980s, during a second half in which the Reds conceded twice and failed to muster many chances to get back into the game.

Asked about the chants, the former Fulham boss told reporters: "That seems to be part of the life as Liverpool football manager.

"We're trying do the best job we can in the circumstances, but I don't think that that singing helps."

The veteran manager was also riled when asked to comment on Glen Johnson, a player he criticized in midweek for not hitting his top form this season, and admitted his disbelief that his frank criticism had hit the headlines.

"We all want Glen Johnson to find his England form," he said. "We've got a player with a lot of ability, and we want to use that to win.

He added: "He knows himself that he hasn't reached that ability - everyone's saying what is obvious."

Hodgson spoke of his disappointment that Liverpool's season had become stuck once again, but admitted that he knew that getting anything at Stoke would be difficult.

"I'm sad that a good run has come to an end," he said. "It was always going to be a tough task, because it's a battle and I knew we'd be hard pushed to win that battle.

"We did OK first half, we dealt with the pressure - in particular the throws, corners and long balls forward. When they scored from a long throw it was always going to be even more of an uphill battle.

"I thought the players stuck at it to the end and did the best they could."

He added: "I can't say my players threw the towel in, and I can't be seen to be making excuses, we lost to a strong team."

Hodgson also revealed that star striker Fernando Torres, who cut a forlorn figure throughout, had picked up a knock, but player and manager refused to countenance a substitution.

"I think we missed Fernando Torres in the second half after the kick he took," he said. "He didn't want to come off, and I didn't want to take him off when you need a goal, but I don't think he was firing on all cylinders."

You Cannot Compare Chelsea And Stoke - Roy Hodgson

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson believes that the unique challenge presented by Stoke City was the reason why his team were unable to continue their impressive recent form.

Goals from Ricardo Fuller and Kenwyne Jones condemned Hodgson’s side to their first defeat in four league games, just as it seemed the Anfield club were getting their season back on track.

Indeed, Liverpool had even beaten league leaders Chelsea last weekend as they put together a run of three league wins in a row, prior to Wednesday’s draw at Wigan Athletic.

As such, Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat against Stoke came with an element of surprise, but Hodgson believes you cannot compare the challenges presented by Tony Pulis’ and Chelsea, and that his team coped better with the latter than the former.

"Chelsea and Stoke are two very different teams, aren't they? Today we've been defending long throws and long balls that are knocked forward towards our backline, corner kicks and balls flying into our penalty area,” he told ESPN after the game at Stoke’s Britannia Stadium.

"Against Chelsea, it's a team who are moving the ball across the field and you have to control them - I don't think you can compare games against Chelsea with games against Stoke.

"Every team that comes here knows it's a very 'special' game. What you have got to do is defend as stoutly as we did in the first half and not concede that goal and do more than I thought we were able to do going forward.”

Hodgson believes that his side’s inability to prevent Stoke from getting the opening goal in the game left his side more vulnerable to conceding again.

"When the second goal came I was taking enormous risks and had the centerhalf playing as a centerforward.

"The first goal came again from a long throw, which before we'd been defending as well as we can, but unfortunately after that first goal goes in you have to take a few more risks and throw a few men forward, which almost got us back into the game.

"Unfortunately, it didn't, so we have to accept that we were beaten.”

The Liverpool manager was not looking to evaluate his side’s defeat too closely at this point, but he did not think fatigue was a factor in their loss.

"It's obviously a bad result - every time you lose it's a bad result.

"It is always difficult to give sensible assessments after you've been beaten.”

"I don't think it was a game too far [in terms of having the legs] because I felt we finished the game very strongly. I don't think it's a problem of legs, it's about coping with the problems that Stoke cause any team that comes here with the height and strength of their frontmen and backline.

"We don't have a long throw in our armory and had to deal with that from them and then try to use our weapons and we didn't do that well enough until the last 25 minutes."

Hodgson thought that one reason behind his side’s inability to get back into the game after going behind was an injury picked up by striker Fernando Torres. However, the Spaniard remained on the pitch for the entirety of the game and the Reds boss expects him to be fit for Liverpool’s next game against West Ham on Saturday.

"I don't know whether Torres' injury affected him in the second half, it probably did - so we missed him after the break.

"It's a kick to the ankle and he's also twisted it a bit, but we've got a week so hopefully he'll be OK.”

Liverpool Set For Merseyside Battle For New Torres Partner

Everton have emerged as Liverpool’s biggest challengers in the race to sign Pavel Pogrebnyak, according to Russian newspaper Soviet Sport.

The Russian striker has been linked as one of the strikers on Roy Hodgson’s shortlist but there will be competition from other Premier League clubs including Tottenham and Blackburn.

Now it has transpired that Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has pulled out of any potential deal and is concentrating on bringing other targets to White Hart Lane.

And Blackburn have seemingly been ruled out, with Sam Allardyce’s side considered as the least probable to bring the Stuttgart player to Ewood Park and Everton have emerged as the No.1 contenders.

With Liverpool having money to spend in January it seems a striker is on the agenda at Anfield and Pogrebnyak is top of their list.

And now David Moyes is interested in making sure he lands on Merseyside by making an offer to bring the 28-year-old to Goodison Park.

Stuttgart head coach Fredi Bobic has recently confirmed Liverpool are interested, saying: “I have been listening to rumours that Liverpool and Tottenham have their eyes on Pavel.

“It’s a fact. However, none of these clubs have been talking to us about him lately. He is a player of VfB Stuttgart,” the former Bolton striker admitted.