A smooth procession ruined by an inexplicable decision to stick one's neck out; the parallels between Tom Hicks' Liverpool reign and John Arne Riise's own goal were unavoidable at Anfield. For months the Liverpool co-owner has sought common ground with the club's disgruntled supporters and while both were united in disbelief last night, it may be the Texan who ultimately has cause to rue the Norwegian's aberration more than most.
Without the distraction of a Champions League final appearance in Moscow, the focus of Liverpool's season will turn on Hicks' inability to resolve his ownership stand-off with co-owner George Gillett. Without additional riches from Russia, his ability to support Rafael Benítez in the transfer market will also be reduced this summer unless a breakthrough with Gillett or Dubai International Capital is forthcoming. No wonder he took the opportunity to hasten that process yesterday.
Before ignoring the advice of Merseyside Police and attending last night's semi-final, taking a front row seat in the directors' box instead, Hicks visited Benítez at Liverpool's Melwood training complex to discuss a possible meeting between all the warring Anfield factions. "I spoke with Mr Hicks. We spoke about maybe having a meeting together, the owners and everyone," said the Liverpool manager. "It was positive and just to say hello and to arrange to meet. That will be a positive meeting. We will all be together. The idea is to meet with everyone."
Post-Melwood, Hicks was ushered into Anfield by Liverpool security staff shortly after 5pm and, mercifully, remained only a prelude to a Champions League story and not the headline itself. Not one song that resonated from the Kop last night related to the club's torrid politics as supporters focused on further European glory.
Hicks took his place three rows in front of the man whose head he has requested on a plate recently, the club's chief executive Rick Parry. Adding to the intrigue was the sight of Samir Al-Ansari, the chief executive of Dubai International Capital and Liverpool fan, taking a seat two rows behind the co-owner he would love to oust.
The attention lavished on the sideshow underlined the ludicrousness of Liverpool's season but it was apt that Hicks and representatives of Gillett should be here to witness the club's third semi-final in four years. The competition has been integral to their involvement with Liverpool.
It was victory in the Champions League in 2005 that revived Liverpool's search for new investment, and the commercial "disaster" that Hicks insists Parry has overseen would have been greater but for the triumph and the trappings of Istanbul. Passage to last season's final enabled the Americans to ride into Anfield on a wave of optimism and minus the organised antagonism that greeted the Glazers' entry at Manchester United. To think it was only 12 months ago that Hicks and Gillett were sat together for this corresponding fixture.
After Hicks confirmed he and Gillett had approached Jürgen Klinsmann about Benítez's job they were besieged with pleas to quit. Within 15 minutes of the kick off a police constable and steward had moved into the seats in front of Hicks to instruct a supporter to direct his passions towards the pitch. That isolated moment apart, it was reaffirming that directors were ignored and a capacity crowd looked for drama and controversy on the pitch.
Hicks and his entourage were on their feet, red scarves aloft, when Dirk Kuyt swept Liverpool ahead and were in no rush to vacate their seats at full or half-time. In keeping with his Texan front, the Liverpool co-chairman appeared determined to make his presence felt at Anfield, the first time he has visited the premises since December 16 last year. He remains determined to adopt a similar policy towards DIC.
Despite their proximity there were no talks scheduled last night between the American and the Arab investment company which has, through its advisor Amanda Staveley of PCP Capital Partners, been spelling out its intentions for the club to supporters groups in recent days.
Gillett's invitation to Staveley and Al-Ansari has raised hope among the club's support that a breakthrough is in sight and yet the absent American has still not agreed a price for his 50% stake with DIC. The ownership saga, like Liverpool's passage in the Champions League, remains far from certain.
Without the distraction of a Champions League final appearance in Moscow, the focus of Liverpool's season will turn on Hicks' inability to resolve his ownership stand-off with co-owner George Gillett. Without additional riches from Russia, his ability to support Rafael Benítez in the transfer market will also be reduced this summer unless a breakthrough with Gillett or Dubai International Capital is forthcoming. No wonder he took the opportunity to hasten that process yesterday.
Before ignoring the advice of Merseyside Police and attending last night's semi-final, taking a front row seat in the directors' box instead, Hicks visited Benítez at Liverpool's Melwood training complex to discuss a possible meeting between all the warring Anfield factions. "I spoke with Mr Hicks. We spoke about maybe having a meeting together, the owners and everyone," said the Liverpool manager. "It was positive and just to say hello and to arrange to meet. That will be a positive meeting. We will all be together. The idea is to meet with everyone."
Post-Melwood, Hicks was ushered into Anfield by Liverpool security staff shortly after 5pm and, mercifully, remained only a prelude to a Champions League story and not the headline itself. Not one song that resonated from the Kop last night related to the club's torrid politics as supporters focused on further European glory.
Hicks took his place three rows in front of the man whose head he has requested on a plate recently, the club's chief executive Rick Parry. Adding to the intrigue was the sight of Samir Al-Ansari, the chief executive of Dubai International Capital and Liverpool fan, taking a seat two rows behind the co-owner he would love to oust.
The attention lavished on the sideshow underlined the ludicrousness of Liverpool's season but it was apt that Hicks and representatives of Gillett should be here to witness the club's third semi-final in four years. The competition has been integral to their involvement with Liverpool.
It was victory in the Champions League in 2005 that revived Liverpool's search for new investment, and the commercial "disaster" that Hicks insists Parry has overseen would have been greater but for the triumph and the trappings of Istanbul. Passage to last season's final enabled the Americans to ride into Anfield on a wave of optimism and minus the organised antagonism that greeted the Glazers' entry at Manchester United. To think it was only 12 months ago that Hicks and Gillett were sat together for this corresponding fixture.
After Hicks confirmed he and Gillett had approached Jürgen Klinsmann about Benítez's job they were besieged with pleas to quit. Within 15 minutes of the kick off a police constable and steward had moved into the seats in front of Hicks to instruct a supporter to direct his passions towards the pitch. That isolated moment apart, it was reaffirming that directors were ignored and a capacity crowd looked for drama and controversy on the pitch.
Hicks and his entourage were on their feet, red scarves aloft, when Dirk Kuyt swept Liverpool ahead and were in no rush to vacate their seats at full or half-time. In keeping with his Texan front, the Liverpool co-chairman appeared determined to make his presence felt at Anfield, the first time he has visited the premises since December 16 last year. He remains determined to adopt a similar policy towards DIC.
Despite their proximity there were no talks scheduled last night between the American and the Arab investment company which has, through its advisor Amanda Staveley of PCP Capital Partners, been spelling out its intentions for the club to supporters groups in recent days.
Gillett's invitation to Staveley and Al-Ansari has raised hope among the club's support that a breakthrough is in sight and yet the absent American has still not agreed a price for his 50% stake with DIC. The ownership saga, like Liverpool's passage in the Champions League, remains far from certain.
No comments:
Post a Comment