Hicks And Gillett Lift Reds Restraining Order

Reports claim Tom Hicks and George Gillett have now lifted the Texas court restraining order preventing the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) from completing the sale of Liverpool.

ESPNsoccernet understands NESV have a banker's draft ready to dispatch to RBS before the 1700 BST deadline on Friday to erase any lingering concerns about Liverpool going into administration.

However, the early lifting of the injunction could also be because Hicks and Gillett are keen to push through a deal via Mill Financial. Hicks is apparently looking to sell his shares to the hedge fund, which acquired Gillett's shares in August, and it would then pay off the debts (which have risen to £280 million) to keep the club out of NESV's hands.

Indications are, though, that RBS has been advised by their legal team against accepting Mill Financial's offer to do so and it is still unclear as to whether Hicks requires the Liverpool board's approval to sell his shares.

High Court Rejects Attempts To Block Sale Of Liverpool

Liverpool's American owners suffered a further setback after a High Court judge ruled their injunction to block the sale of the club was ineffective.

The ruling paves the way for the club to be sold to New England Sports Ventures (NESV) for £300m, with an agreed deal likely on Friday.

On Wednesday, Reds owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett took out an injunction in Texas to block any proposed sale.

But Mr. Justice Floyd said that ruling had no validity in England.

Despite the second High Court ruling in as many days, Hicks and Gillett sought to extend the saga by requesting a further hearing in Texas on Thursday.

That court case has now been adjourned until 1300 BST (0700 local time) on Friday.

NESV, owners of the Boston Red Sox baseball team, also plan to make their own submission to the Dallas court to overturn the injunction obtained by Hicks and Gillett.

Mr. Justice Floyd has given the much-criticized owners until 1600 BST on Friday to withdraw their legal action in America, or face charges of contempt of court.

That deadline would allow the sale of the club to go through, which is essential if the club are to avoid defaulting on the repayment of £240m of loans due to Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) on Friday.

If that payment is not made, the club could be placed into administration and suffer a nine-point penalty.

During the afternoon's hearing, David Chivers QC, representing NESV, said his clients already considered themselves to be Liverpool's new owners.

And the head of NESV, John W Henry, was later seen entering the London offices of Liverpool's solicitors Slaughter and May for a meeting with the board.

Liverpool had been planning a media day to officially unveil Henry as the club's new owner on Friday, until Wednesday night's surprise injunction ended the plan.

But Reds chairman Martin Broughton said he hoped a deal could be sorted out before Sunday's Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park.

"We're nearly there. We've still got to take away the restraining order," said Broughton.

"Mr. Henry is very committed. My guess is we'll have it done and he'll be there but we've got to get rid of this order first."

BBC Sport's Brian Alexander understands Henry's group is not the only interested party, with Mill Financial still "very much part of the mix" and "waiting to dive in if a deal with NESV does fall through".

Following the judgement, a statement issued on behalf of the Liverpool board said they were "delighted with the verdict of Mr. Justice Floyd in the High Court".

It continued: "We are glad to have taken another important step towards completing the sale process."

The latest development of a story which has swung ferociously between London and Dallas, comes after Hicks and Gillett's reign at Anfield had looked close to ending on Wednesday.

Their attempt to block the proposed sale of the club to NESV, sanctioned by independent directors including Broughton, managing director Christian Purslow and commercial director Ian Ayre, was dismissed by the High Court.

But that ruling led the American owners to take out a temporary restraining order in a Texas court, halting any planned sale.

Hicks and Gillett's petition to the Texas court described the sale of Liverpool as an "epic swindle", and also laid out a claim for more than £1bn in damages.

And it was RBS which received the brunt of blame from the American duo, as the petition continued: "The director defendants were acting merely as pawns of RBS, wholly abdicating the fiduciary responsibilities that they owed in the sale.

"RBS has been complicit in this scheme with the director defendants."

Richard Snowden QC, representing RBS, said Hicks and Gillett's behaviour was "outrageous" and the proceedings in Texas were "plainly inappropriate.

"This dispute involves an English football club and three English companies and has no connection with Texas other than that Hicks and Gillett may reside there.

"It is a plain attempt to frustrate and impede the proceedings."

On Thursday, Mr. Justice Floyd came down in favour of the club again by granting an anti-suit injunction and criticizing Hicks and Gillett's conduct, calling it "unconscionable".

One aspect of the whole saga was made simpler when Singaporean businessman, Peter Lim, withdrew his £320m bid.

Lim stated: "The [Liverpool] board is intent on selling the club to NESV to the exclusion of all other parties, regardless of the merits of their bids."

John W Henry Vows To Keep Fighting For Control Of Liverpool

The Boston Red Sox owner, John W Henry, today pledged to fight Tom Hicks' "last desperate attempt" to hang on to Liverpool.

Henry said his New England Sports Ventures company has a binding agreement to buy Liverpool. His statement comes with Hicks looking likely to try to enlist Mill Financial – who already own George Gillett's 50% of the club – to pay the £280m debt to the Royal Bank of Scotland by today's deadline and thwart the takeover by NESV.

NESV believe any such attempt by Hicks would have to be ratified by the Liverpool board and they would be prepared to return to the high court to have their binding agreement upheld.

Henry said on his Twitter account this morning: "We have a binding contract. Will fight Mill Hicks Gillett attempt to keep club today. Their last desperate attempt to entrench their regime."

Time is running out for Hicks with a restraining order on the NESV takeover only in place until lunchtime today.

Tom Hicks’ UK Spokesman Confirms Liverpool Co-Owner Has Not Sold Shares To Mill Financial

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks remains in control of his share of the club and has not sold out to Mill Financial.

In another twist to the Liverpool saga, reports earlier today had suggested the hedge fund, a branch of Washington-based Springfield Financial, had acquired the Texan's 50 per cent share having already taken ownership of his fellow co-owner George Gillett's half.

This would have meant that if Mill Financial were able to repay the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) then any prospective sale to New England Sports Ventures (NESV), who have agreed a £300 million deal, could be in jeopardy.

But a UK-based spokesman for Tom Hicks told the Press Association Sport that Mill Financial had not acquired the shares.

RBS have also not had any recent contact with Mill Financial, while no approach has been made to the Premier League to notify them of another potential change of ownership.

The news is another twist to the saga, with RBS and Liverpool returning to the High Court this afternoon to block a temporary restraining order taken out by Hicks and Gillett in Texas last night.

The injunction was imposed just minutes before a board meeting which took place in London late last night.

At the meeting chairman Martin Broughton, managing director Christian Purslow and commercial director Ian Ayre out-voted Hicks and Gillett to complete the sale to NESV.

That was just hours after Mr. Justice Floyd had ruled the American owners had no right to block a sale.

Liverpool And Spurs Target Lyon Striker

Liverpool and Tottenham are tracking Lyon striker Lisandro Lopez, according to reports in the press on Thursday.

Harry Redknapp is scouring Europe for a new front man to help cope with playing a Champions League campaign and has also been linked with Sevilla's Luis Fabiano and Juventus' Vincenzo Iaquinta.

Liverpool also need a new striker to take some of the burden off Spain star Fernando Torres, although any move the Reds make is dependant on the ownership issue being concluded before the January transfer window opens.

Lyon are thought to be willing to let Lopez leave this winter if they receive an offer of around £14m for the 27-year-old Argentine.

Reina Craves Derby Spoils

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina admits this weekend's Merseyside derby is of the utmost significance and insists it is vital the Red side of the city is triumphant.

Reina and co make the short trip to Goodison Park on Sunday when they lock horns with local rivals Everton as Premier League action swings back into force.

The Reds - who languish in the bottom three - went into the international break after suffering a humiliating defeat at Anfield at the hands of promoted Blackpool.

Everton, meanwhile, were victors against Birmingham City last time out and head into the derby with confidence back on their side after suffering a winless start to the campaign.

And Reina accepts the stakes have rarely been higher heading into the latest Merseyside tussle.

The Spanish custodian told The Daily Express: "This is the biggest in terms of needing the points for both teams. We are not in the best situation and we both need three points desperately.

"For whoever wins, it will be so important for the fans and for the optimism of the club. We have to win."

Reina still expects both clubs to be challenging for European slots come the business end of the season and expects Everton to offer a stern test after securing their first win of the campaign last time out.

The 28-year-old added: "We hope it isn't the real situation, or won't be the real situation at the end of the season. I think then both of us will be fighting to be in the top six.

"Everton's squad has been the same for a long time, they know each other and can almost play from memory. They can be good on the ball and also physical. To beat them at Goodison is going to be tougher than ever."

As Liverpool's takeover saga continues to rumble on, Reina remains focused on matters on the pitch, adding: "It's never nice to hear what is going on, about troubles and chaos. It's not good for the fans or the club.

"I've always said that it's not in the players' hands. All we can do is play, win games and try to work hard."

Jamie Carragher Inks New Two-Year Contract Extension

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has signed a two-year contract extension ahead of Sunday's Merseyside derby with Everton, the club have confirmed.

Carragher, 32, has spent his entire professional career at Anfield and has racked up 442 Premier League appearances. The ex-England defender would have become a free agent at the end of season but he has moved to commit the twilight of his career to the club.

It is understood that the deal contains no provision to join manager Roy Hodgson's coaching staff, although Carragher is currently taking his Uefa badges.

Spirit of Shankly Demand Fan Representation From New LFC Owners

Fans’ union Spirit of Shankly-ShareLiverpoolFC today welcomed the likely end of Hicks and Gillett’s ownership of LFC.

But they reiterated their desire for fan representation at ownership level.

A statement said: “At this stage we remain open minded about any new ownership regime. However our long held view that supporter ownership is right for Liverpool Football Club remains unaltered.

“The aspiration amongst supporters to become part of the ownership of LFC by investing our own money and to have our interests represented in the running of the club, still very much exists.

“Recent experience has demonstrated that meaningful fan representation through democratic supporter ownership is the only fail-safe way that we can ensure that a reoccurrence of recent events never happens again.

“This requires supporter ownership through a direct equity shareholding in LFC, in partnership with new owners, giving the supporters real and meaningful representation.

“This is also the best way that the club can rebuild its relationship with tens of thousands of disenfranchised fans who want the opportunity to invest in their club’s future. We will all be delighted to see the back of Hicks & Gillett, but at one level we are back where we were in 2007. This time, there is an opportunity to create a unique partnership between supporters and new owners to everyone’s benefit.”

Martin Broughton Begins Fightback Against Tom Hicks After Injunction

Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton and his legal advisers will this morning begin considering how to overturn the temporary restraining order filed by Tom Hicks that last night halted the sale of the club.

Broughton and John W Henry, owner of New England Sports Ventures, were close to sealing a £300 million deal before Hicks' dramatic 11th-hour intervention.

Discussions will now take place at the London offices of the club's solicitors, Slaughter & May, this morning with a full board meeting expected to follow once a legal strategy has been agreed.

One option being considered is to seek an order from a UK court ruling that the Texan writ has no jurisdiction.

An alternative will be to seek to have the temporary restraining order overturned by a higher court in Texas. This, though, could take longer and there is already an expectation that the case will take a couple of days to resolve leaving Liverpool's future uncertain until next week.

The timetable for resolving this issue may depend on whether Henry remains in the UK and sticks with the arranged plan to attend the Merseyside derby on Sunday.

Hicks’ suit, filed against Royal Bank of Scotland, club chairman Broughton, directors Christian Purslow and Ian Ayre, NESV and Liverpool finance director Philip Nash, claims damages totalling approximately $1.6 billion (over £1 billion).

The suit claims that RBS, the board and NESV conspired in an “epic swindle” to sell the club for less than its value.

Hicks accuses Broughton, Purslow and Ayre of acting “as pawns of RBS” for ignoring offers he says were higher than the £300m offered by NESV.

NESV Prepared To Wait To Buy Liverpool

Liverpool's prospective new owner NESV is prepared to wait to conclude its £300m takeover of the club.

The purchase was delayed on Wednesday after current owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett gained an injunction.

But having earlier won a High Court battle to seemingly confirm the deal, NESV chief John Henry is set to wait.

"He is prepared to wait for the order to be lifted. Sources tell me he has binding agreements," BBC sports editor David Bond said.

Hicks and Gillett gained the injunction in a Texas court only hours after their bid to prevent the £300m sale to NESV had been thrown out by the High Court.

The petition, in which they describe the sale as an "epic swindle", is due to be heard on 25 October, though Bond suggested that those wanting to push through the deal - NESV, Liverpool's board and the club's creditor Royal Bank of Scotland - will aim for a swift resolution.

"RBS is likely to try to push through the deadline," added Bond.

"There are meetings going on between lawyers, especially RBS's lawyers, about what they do next and the feeling is they want to put pressure back on Hicks and Gillett to allow this deal to go through."

Peter Lim 'Could Be Endorsed As New Liverpool Owner' - Martin Broughton

Chairman Martin Brougton has revealed Liverpool's board could still reject a takeover offer from John W Henry's NESV group and endorse an improved bid from Singapore businessman Peter Lim at a meeting at Anfield on Wednesday night.

The High Court ruled in favour of the club after current co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett attempted to block a forced buy-out last week.

But despite confirming a takeover is now imminent after Mr. Justice Floyd's decision, Broughton stopped short of naming Henry as the successful bidder - suggesting Lim's increased offer of £320million could still be accepted.

On the Court steps after the hearing on Wednesday, Broughton described himself as 'elated' but said nothing is guaranteed ahead of a meeting that will be held later in the evening.

'The board has to be reconstituted and I can't prejudge what the board is going to say. It would be inappropriate to do so,' he revealed.

'I want to thank the fans for their support through a difficult time. We hope to have the board meeting on Wednesday evening.

'We will get the right owners for the fans.'

Reds Board To Discuss Bids

Martin Broughton has revealed that the Liverpool board will meet to discuss all bids for the club on Wednesday evening.

The Reds chairman was speaking as he left the High Court following a ruling which has paved the way for a takeover of the club to be put in place.

Current co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks had hoped to block a move for control at Anfield, with the offers on the table falling short of their valuation.

However, with the club's creditors, the Royal Bank of Scotland, looking to recoup a £237million loan by a deadline set for 15th October, Mr. Justice Floyd has sided in favour of Liverpool and RBS.

Discussions with interested parties can now begin in earnest, with the Reds keen to get new owners in place as soon as possible, allowing them to clear their debts and focus their attention on matters on the field.

It was believed that a £300million bid from John W Henry's New England Sports Ventures was the preferred choice of the Liverpool board, with that offer having already been accepted.

However, a rival bid from Singapore billionaire Peter Lim has left the Reds facing a quandary.

Lim has promised £320m in cash and a £40m transfer kitty for the January transfer window.

Chairman Broughton has confirmed that there is no guarantee that NESV will be successful in their efforts, with the Liverpool board yet to sit down and discuss the latest developments.

"The board will be properly reconstituted by eight o'clock this evening, that was the judge's order, and proceed with the sale process," he told Sky Sports News.

"This will clear the way for a sale, but I'm not going to prejudge the board meeting. It would be inappropriate to prejudge what the board is going to say.

"But the club's going to have a great future. We will re-establish the right basis for the club.

"The acquisition debt that has been plaguing us will be gone, we have a great future. We will get the right owners for the fans."

While keen to steer clear of takeover talk for now, Broughton is delighted with Wednesday's ruling which has given the board power to negotiate a sale.

He said: "It was an excellent outcome. We have been confident all along. We think we have done the right thing. When you go to court, though, you can never pre-judge it."

Broughton admits he is disappointed that Gillett and Hicks felt the need to take proceedings as far as they did, but is pleased that progress can now be made.

He added: "I am disappointed that they have acted in this way, to try and breach the undertakings they gave me. But up until then they have supported the process."

Reds Sale Given Go Ahead

George Gillett and Tom Hicks look set to be on their way out of Anfield, with a High Court ruling giving Liverpool power to push through a takeover.

The American duo, who have co-owned the Reds since 2007, have been reluctantly forced to concede that they cannot block a £300million bid from New England Sports Ventures.

NESV, who own the Boston Red Sox and are fronted by John W Henry, saw a formal offer accepted by the Liverpool board against the wishes of Hicks and Gillett.

With that offer set to see them make a sizeable loss on their investment, the Reds' co-owners attempted to disrupt proceedings and retain their stranglehold on the Merseyside giants.

However, their efforts to remove high-ranking members of the board proved fruitless and it quickly became apparent that they were fighting a losing battle.

Taking the matter to the High Court was Hicks and Gillett's last chance to stave off a sale they did not sanction and ensure they continued to hold power at Anfield.

Those efforts have been in vain, though, as Mr. Justice Floyd has given Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton the go-ahead to sell the club.

He sided in favour of the Royal Bank of Scotland, who are owed over £230m by Hicks and Gillett following their takeover.

The deadline for repayment on that loan was set at Friday, with fears raised that Liverpool could be docked nine points were the debt not settled and the club's holding company, Kop Holdings, were forced into administration.

That situation will be avoided should a takeover agreement with NESV now be put in place, with Henry making it clear that all outstanding debts will be cleared should he take charge.

Hicks and Gillett had asked a judge to delay the hearing of an application by RBS for mandatory orders but, at the bank's request, injunctions have been imposed on the two men requiring them to restore the original constitutions of the companies and managing directors.

While the way has now been paved for NESV to complete a takeover, there is still a chance that a rival bid from Singapore billionaire Peter Lim could be negotiated.

He has vowed to stump up £320million in cash to get the club back on an even keel, with £40m available for players in the January transfer window.

The saga could rumble on for some time yet, with a takeover deal now needing to be thrashed out, but Hicks and Gillett have been refused the right to appeal, meaning one hurdle has been cleared.

A statement released by Liverpool on their official website read: "We are delighted that the court has clarified the issue of board composition and has removed the uncertainty around the sale process.

"We will now be consulting with our lawyers and planning for a board meeting on Wednesday night. A further statement will be made in due course."

Liverpool Keen On £14m Rated La Liga Goal Machine

Liverpool are hoping to pull off something of a transfer coup by attempting to lure Villarreal striker Nilmar to Anfield in January. Roy Hodgson has earmarked the Brazilian international as one of a handful of striking talents he would like to sign when the transfer window reopens.

The 26 year old former Lyon man has been a huge hit in La Liga and has helped his over achieving Castellon side to second place with his fine performances and prolific goalscoring return. Nilmar is currently top scorer in Spain having scored five goals in six matches and has been a regular in the national team set up.

The talented attacker is thought to be looking for a big move that would help him cement a regular spot in the Brazilian starting eleven and may believe that he has gone as far as he can at Villarreal. A number of other sides are known to be interested in signing the striker with the likes of Chelsea and Juventus both being linked with potential moves.

Hodgson is hoping he will have significant funds to spend now that it appears that the club will be taken over by New England Sporting Ventures and it would take a bid in the region of £14m to land the in form Brazilian.

Liverpool Plan £12m January Raid To Capture Brazilian Goal Machine

Roy Hodgson has set his sights on Partizan striker Cleo as he looks to bring in some much needed firepower to his poorly performing Anfield side.

Liverpool have managed just seven goals thus far this season and only two of those have come from recognized strikers leaving Hodgson looking for alternative attacking options. With the issue of ownership of the club looking a lot clearer and the future looking more hopeful the Merseyside club hopes to have funds to reinvest in the coming transfer window.

25 year old Cleo has had a marvellous season netting an incredible 16 goals in 14 matches including nine in Champions League action. The powerfully built forward is a good target man with a great deal of flair and has a penchant for spectacular finishes.

Partizan will be reticent to lose the former Red Star Belgrade hit man but will also realize that such a move would be hugely tempting and are therefore more than likely to consider offers as long as they are in the region of their valuation which is reportedly around £12m.

Carragher: I Fear Anfield Player Clear-Out

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher fears the club's new owners will stage a mass clear-out at Anfield if their fortunes fail to improve.

Carragher claims that in their year of turmoil everything has changed – except the playing staff.

Getting rid of former boss Rafa Benitez has failed to lift the club, who languish in the bottom three following their loss to Blackpool on October 3.

And with new owners set to take over after the High Court blocked Tom Hicks and George Gillett's attempts to keep control at the club, Carragher has warned there may be big changes ahead.

He told Drive Time: “We have changed the manager, we have changed the board and if things don't change now then the players will go too.

“Everything else has changed, it is just the players who have stayed the same.”

Carragher added the High Court victory has come at a perfect time, ahead of this weekend's Merseyside derby at Goddison Park.

He said: “I hope we can look forward now. I don't think the protests have affected things too much, because the protests and marches were usually before or after games.

“The atmosphere has not been great at Anfield recently because the performances have not been that great.

“But a lot of supporters will be delighted with the outcome today. I am sure that will give us a feel-good factor and we hope that will help us.”

Carragher insists there is still time for Liverpool to improve on their dismal start and said: “There have been disappointing starts for both sides [Everton and Liverpool].

"Both of us would have looked to be near the top before the season started.

“Both sides would have hoped to be challenging for the top four. But it is still early and maybe three points this weekend will give us the springboard we need.”

Liverpool Await High Court Ruling

A High Court ruling on the future ownership of Liverpool Football Club is set to be announced by Mr. Justice Floyd at 1000 BST on Wednesday.

The judge will make his decision having heard arguments from both sides at a packed court 16 on Tuesday.

Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), the club's major creditor, is trying to force a sale that owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are objecting to.

The American duo bought the club in 2007 but owe RBS £240m.

Hicks and Gillett are blocking the £300m sale to New England Sports Ventures (NESV), saying it undervalues the club.

Richard Snowden QC for RBS said at the hearing Hicks and Gillett were in "breach of contract" and guilty of "breathtaking arrogance".

It was also argued in court by the legal team of Hicks and Gillett that the deadline for refinancing or repaying the £240m debt is not Friday, 15 October but Monday, 1 November.

There were fears that, if the deadline was this Friday, RBS - which is 70% owned by the British public - could take control of Liverpool and place the club's holding company into administration.

That would almost certainly result in a nine-point penalty and might prompt NESV to walk away from the deal - leaving the club and RBS with no potential buyers.

As Tuesday's hearing got under way on a day of drama, BBC News revealed rival bidder, Singapore business tycoon Peter Lim, had increased his offer to £320m in cash for the club and its liabilities, plus pledging £40m for players.

And during the court deliberations, Hicks and Gillett's QC said there was a third bid to buy the club from hedge fund group Mill Financial, which would pay off the Reds' debt and commit £100m to a new stadium.

The key issue for the hearing to resolve is whether chairman Martin Broughton has the authority to sell Liverpool to NESV against the wishes of the current American owners.

Broughton claims when the owners decided to put the club up for sale in April, RBS requested undertakings from them that only he - as independent chairman - could make changes to the club's board.

That was to prevent the two Americans blocking any sale as the format of the board meant Broughton, managing director Christian Purslow and commercial director Ian Ayre could outvote Hicks and Gillett three to two.

However, minutes before a meeting last week to discuss the bid by NESV, which will clear all debt but leave the owners with losses of £144m, Hicks tried to sack Purslow and Ayre and install his son, Mack, and Lori McCutcheon, who works for Hicks Holdings.

Broughton rejected the proposal and continued with the meeting, with the England-based board members coming down in favour of the NESV bid.

Hicks, however, has denied there are such undertakings in place, and insisted Broughton's actions were illegal and therefore the sale to NESV - which is partly owned by Boston Red Sox proprietor John W Henry - is invalid.

In court, Snowden told Mr. Justice Floyd that Hicks and Gillett were committing "a calculated breach of contract" by seeking to change the constitution of the board without the consent of the bank.

He said they were doing this in order "to frustrate the sale necessary to repay the bank £200m by this Friday".

Hicks and Gillett's legal team admitted they had broken corporate rules in their attempt to keep control of the club.

But they argued the Americans had been forced to do this after the board failed to consult them properly and to consider other, potentially more lucrative, offers for the club.

Ahead of Tuesday's hearing, RBS secured an injunction to prevent them sacking Broughton or any other board members.

Snowden said that reconstituting the board "would derail the carefully planned process designed to achieve a sale of the club in a timely manner."

That process, he added, would avert the prospect of Liverpool going into administration and losing nine points.

Mr. Justice Floyd was also asked to impose injunctions on Hicks and Gillett requiring them to restore the original constitutions of the companies and managing directors, therefore removing the final stumbling block to a takeover.

But the new Lim bid could become a further complication.

"What may excite Liverpool's fans is that Mr. Lim is also saying he'll provide £40m in cash to Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson to purchase players during the January transfer window," stated BBC business editor Robert Peston.

"Liverpool's board will find it difficult to ignore Mr. Lim's new offer, raising yet more uncertainty about the ultimate fate of the football club."

BBC sports news correspondent Dan Roan added: "What this does is introduce a whole new element into this debate. It may mean certain people at Liverpool, for example Hicks and Gillett, have a little bit more support for their argument that NESV isn't necessarily the best route for the club to take."

Meanwhile, Henry has started his dialogue with Liverpool fans by expressing his hope that the ownership issue is "sorted out soon".

On Tuesday morning the 61-year-old futures and foreign exchange trading adviser wrote on his Twitter page: "Hello LFC supporters. Everyone is hoping for the best. There have been enough twists and turns. Hopefully all gets sorted out soon; LFC moves forward.

"It would be inappropriate and presumptuous at this time to respond to questions. In the interim, we're all rooting for the same thing."

Peter Lim Confirms €370m Offer For Liverpool With Hodgson Handed €45m To Spend In January Transfer Window

Singapore businessman Peter Lim has announced a fresh €370 million offer for Liverpool with a further €45m made available for transfers in January.

The billionaire initially lost out to New England Sports Ventures (NESV) in the bidding war to gain control of the club. While the John W. Henry-led consortium are in the High Court planning to force through the sale against current owners George Gillett & Tom Hicks' wishes, Lim has re-entered the race.

In a statement released to the media this afternoon, he said: "I respect and admire Liverpool Football Club, which is steeped in tradition and history. I am committed to rebuild the Club so that it can soon regain its position at the pinnacle of English and European football, where it truly belongs.

"This is why I have stepped forward with this offer. I believe that if its massive debt burden can be removed, the club would be able to focus on improving its performance on the pitch.

"My offer pays off the existing owners’ bank acquisition debt and also frees the club of its own bank debt. If the Board accepts this offer, the monies are available immediately thereby removing the threat of administration.

"The club needs to strengthen its existing squad. As part of this offer, I will be injecting £40m in cash into the Club for Roy Hodgson to bring in new players during the upcoming transfer window. Liverpool needs to start winning again!

"My offer provides a firm financial platform from which the club can rebuild. Given the manner in which the sale process has been handled, I feel Martin and the board owe it to me, to the club, and to the supporters, to consider my offer."

Lim's deal places an extra €23m on NESV's valuation and would similarly clear all its debt. The hope of an injection of cash into manager Roy Hodgson's kitty could add fresh uncertainty as the board could be forced to consider it.

Liverpool Takeover: Peter Lim May Sue Club Over Bidding Process

Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim, who on Tuesday submitted an improved, £320 million offer to buy Liverpool, could yet sue the club over the initial sales process which resulted in the Anfield board rejecting his bid in favour of New England Sports Ventures.

His advisers, the Wong Partnership, on Tuesday submitted a letter to the High Court detailing Lim's "surprise" at learning NESV had come to an agreement with Liverpool's three non-shareholder directors less than 12 hours after he was informed his offer was "preferred and superior".

Paul Girolami QC, for Tom Hicks and others, revealed Lim had taken legal advice on the decisions taken by the club's directors between 3pm on Oct 5 – when Lim was informed he remained the preferred bidder – and when the agreement with NESV was struck.

He has also submitted a request to discover whether the terms of his offer, which sources close to the billionaire believe was financially more attractive until NESV improved its own bid by promising to pay £10 million to the Royal Bank of Scotland in fees, were revealed to his rivals, breaching his confidentiality clause.

Despite that, on Tuesday Lim improved his original bid, believed to be worth the £300 million NESV wishes to pay, to £320 million, plus £40 million for manager Roy Hodgson to spend in the January transfer window.

Lim's offer, through his Meriton vehicle, would wipe Liverpool clear of debt and is funded entirely from the former stockbroker's own $1.6 billion (£1 billion) fortune.

He said in a statement: "My offer pays off the existing owners' bank acquisition debt and also frees the club of its own bank debt. If the board accepts this offer, the monies are available immediately, thereby removing the threat of administration."

Lim accepts he remains an outsider to land the club – his bid would be considered only if NESV walk away or Liverpool go into administration – but he is determined to push ahead with a deal.

Though his background running Manchester United-themed cafés in the Far East is unlikely to impress Liverpool fans, it is thought, should he land the club, he would pull out of that deal when his contract expires in 2012.

Liverpool Skipper Steven Gerrard Hits Back At 'Completely Over The Top' Criticism Of Fernando Torres

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has leapt to the defence of Fernando Torres and labelled criticism of him "completely over the top".

Torres, 26, has netted just one goal for the club all season as he has struggled to get up to pace. This return has led to fears about his form and fitness, but the England midfielder was quick to offer his support

"It's all completely over the top," Gerrard told LFC Weekly. "It's easy to watch a football match and, if the centre-forward doesn't score or pull a rabbit out of a hat, say his body language isn't right.

"If a player's form isn't there or he's fighting for full fitness after injuries it's normal that their body language isn't perfect. I'm the same. If I'm not playing at the levels I know I can, or if I'm struggling with an injury, people say the same things about me.

"The only time a centre-forward's body language is 100 per cent right is when they're scoring in every game, that's the way they are. That's why players like that are the best in the world, because if they come off the pitch without scoring or producing a nine out of ten or ten out of ten performance they're not happy. That's what helps to make them so good.

"You only have to look at Fernando's record since he walked through the door to know how good he is. He's had a bad time with injuries of late. He wasn't 100 per cent going into the World Cup and he had a lot of criticism over the summer. But he'll bounce back.

"We all believe in him, he's our top man. He's a top player and he's our goal-scorer. We all need to get behind Fernando and help him to get back to the form he showed in his first season here. On that form he's the best centre-forward in the world."

Manager Roy Hodgson has borne the brunt of the blame for Liverpool's descent into the Premier League relegation zone. Gerrard stated that the playing staff were ready to "accept responsibility" for the poor results along with the coaching staff.

"It's unfair for people to just blame the manager for the bad start to the season," he added. "We're all in this together, everyone at the club, from top to bottom. We've all got to accept responsibility and pull together if we are to turn things around. A good win in the derby would be the perfect way to start doing that.

"We've had some wonderful Champions League nights at Anfield and I'm sure the supporters would agree with me when I say we want all that back.

"Obviously the only way to bring it back is to finish in the top four places. That's the main priority for the club and the players. It's where we belong. Over the last five or six years we've proved that we're one of a number of clubs that deserve to be at that level and we are all determined to get back to it."