what does crouch have to do to get agame, and why does kewell pocket 60k a weeks and cant do anything, kuyt will not score again and is a complete joke, would rather have nemeth playing than him, will not win league for years and years, something has to be done, pick your strongest side for gods sake!

paul, liverpool,

One of the best ways to show Scooby Doo and Daffy Duck (Hicks and Gillette) where to go would be for the supporters NOT TO TURN UP for one of the big matches of the season. Then they would know that RAFA has 100% backing and they Have ZERO

Allan, LIVERPOOL, UK

Yankee doodles went to anfield riding on their ponies.then the clowns forgot us fans and feed us macaronne.when all we wanted was to win the league and sign us Mascherano.

Jon daly, Galway, Eire

I am writing this from Spain. I do not know much about the football championships in Great Britain, as I am not one of those super-supporters of that "king of sports". I know about Rafa Benítez when he was manager of Valencia FC, and he was a very talented and successful coach. He led that team to get one Spanish championship ("Liga") and as far as I know, he is considered to be one of the best coaches in Europe. With his silent hard work, he will be able to recover from all this gossiping and buzz, and he will be for sure at the top of the world, footballistically speaking.

Abel G. Saez, Astudillo, Palencia (Spain)

To be honest, being a Liverpool fan myself, the fans at LFC would probably go ballistic if Rafa was sacked. The fact is, why would you sack a manager who managed to get to 2 champions league finals (winning one of them as a debut manager), and an FA cup as a debut manager? Though everyone is complaining that the Premier League is the one we have to win, people are forgetting that the Champions League is far better prize to achieve. Has Jose Mourinho won the Champions League? Sure he won the Premier League, but that doesn't make his club champions of Europe. Rafas expectations are too high, and the fans who doubt him are not Lfc fans. He could be one of the greatest managers of this club. All of this speculation will only lead to more pressure on Rafas shoulders, and will lead to tension on the football pitch.

JP, Brechin, Scotland

why can't you guys cop on you do not own the club the yanks do its there toy to do what they want with all the protests in the world will not change that they can hire and fire who they wish.
but it does not matter who owns which club in this over inflated league if sky were to with draw its funding of tv rights the whole league would fall leaving debts of billions. the truth is only chelsea would be able to pull through that as there owner has the assets all the other clubs are in hock up to there eyes and that includes united despite there profits. so brace yourselfs lads there is a lot worse to come

seamus , dublin, ireland

The longer this fiasco goes on, the more I see Blue Noses smiling and their grins getting larger by the day. We also have to remember, that the so called 'football' we are serving up, is pretty abysmal, to say the least! I can see it now....we get knocked out of the CL and come 5th again, getting pipped by our beloved blue neighbours across the park......it doesn't bare thinking about!

Rancid Red, Merseyside, GB

Please allow me to take this opportunity to pick up the baton on behalf of American owners in English football.
I support Aston Villa F.C.. After twenty five years of being under the stewardship of Doug Ellis ( a tenure, that amongst other things,took our Club from Champions of Europe to relegation within five years leading to our Club becoming the standard bearers for mediocrity and lack of ambition) I have to express how impressed I am, thus far, with Randy Lerner's chairmanship of our Club.
Lerner has handled the Club, and its fans, with an incredible amount of integrity and respect. He recognises the importance of the Club historically, Villa being the Club that gave the world league football. Martin O'Neill has been given total free reign over football affairs and waiting lists are now being introduced for next year's season tickets as fans start to return to Villa Park.
Truth is, Mr. Lerner has given Villa fans a taste of real hope for the first time in a generation.

Mark, Cork, Ireland

get the yanks out! they dont have any feelings what so ever for liverpool. at least this Dubai kid is a fan!!!
it was really the worse we could o to sell to the yanks!

Be strong Rafa.

Dan, london,

Someone has to go!. I hope it's not Benitez. Aren't the owners supposed to bring financial stability. They have brought more instabilities than anything else!

Benny Tan, Reading,

There seems to be a strange belief in these comments that even when you buy a toy, you shouldn't be allowed to play with it. So many "jumpers for goalposts" types have stated flatly that the owners should be kept at arms length and not be ALLOWED to meddle in the clubs affairs, that they are beginning to believe it's possible. Holding up the LFC history books as if they were a magical talisman against change won't work because the football/business culture that was defined by LFC in the 70's and 80's has been replaced by Moguls, TV, global transfer markets and the huge growth of so many other football clubs. It doesn't matter if we like it, it has happened all the same. These owners clearly don't know much about English, European or Scouse football, but if they don't like RB (for any reason), he goes, just as Benitez can, in turn, chuck Peter Crouch. As for DIC, if they get to play with the toy why will they be different? "We just want your money - not you rules"... "Tough!".

MB, Aberdeen,

Well said Oliver. can someone please tell messer H&G that Rafa is a man of integrity and will never walk, even if they play these media games.
I bet the mancs down the road are rubbing their hands in glee in all manners, not least because they have chosen the right YANK.

khoja tansra, jahanam, uk

If I was Rafa then I would resign. I am becoming disappointed with the way too many Premiership club owners are treating their managers. There is hardly a realistic expectation to be found among the lot of them. Even myself from USA understand a few basic tenets about any team sport. It takes time and commitment to build a winner. And you certainly don't need any distractions coming from the owners box.

If Mr. Hicks does not like Rafa and cannot get over the events of last November then show some courage and just fire him. There is no need for this childish pouting with the media.

M A, Atlanta, GA, USA

Still surprised to read just how many British journalists try to ridicule Germany's and Klinsmann's display at the world cup to the point of absolute ridicule. Especially after what the British side has delivered such scathing derision looks very bad and is in fact light-years away from what they used to call British sportsmanship.
Klinsmann can thank his lucky stars not to have opted for the position of Liverpool manager because that move would have driven the already existing footballing-xenophobia in Britain to new astronomic heights.

Ilja, Sliema,

Should we have suspected this was going to happen when Statler & Waldorf bought the club?

Richard , Jersey, CI,

Hicks' combination of stupidity and arrogance is breathtaking. And with hindsight we can clearly see the damage this whole saga has done to LFC's League campaign.

Today's statement is supposed to do what? Get us back on track? Clearly not. Hicks may have proved himself a buffoon; but he knows enough about PR to have done this deliberately. He wants Rafa to 'walk' and save them the compensation package.

And all for what? So that the owners - who admit they know nothing about 'soccer' - can put in place someone they 'like'?

I thought these two were businessmen?

No; the key word is respect. In showing none to a proud, honest, successful and talented man, they have sacrificed any (for themselves) that might have remained among the fans. They will, by now, know this, but will they care? Almost certainly not.

The crucial question now is how can the Club rid themselves, not of Rafa, but them.

Julian Glantz, Cadiz, Spain

Well done. This is a brilliant article. There is one at Anfield Road.com which expresses similar sentiment and is excellent.

Rick Parry has been a joke for many years... I'm staggered David Moores never saw through him.

Punit, London, UK

To: Supporters
We, the undersigned, in a show of support for the manager Raffa Benitez,and to show our deepest concerns at how the club is being handled at present, wish to confirm our anger at the contept in which our club Liverpool FC is being treated by the current owners George Gillet and Tom Hicks, and the chief executive Rick Parry.

We demand that the promises that these people made, when purchasing our club are kept, that the club is treated with the dignity its proud heritage deserves, and that if these people are unable or unwilling to do this that they hand over the reigns to custodians who are able to fulfill their promises


http://www.petitiononline.com/UNWALFC/

maj, birmingham,

So Rafa has joined the unenviable league of managers who have the chairmans/owners 'support'. Language we all understand usually leads to a separation 'by mutual consent'.

Rafa should stay and show the owners with on-pitch results that further embarrasingly redden the cheeks of H&G.

There are actually more villans to the current saga at Liverpool, including Messrs Parry and Moore, and as a supporter it pains me to say, some of the players.

Parry should execute his CEO role and re-open discussions with DIC before resigning, taking H&G with him.

Rafa - YNWA

Shai, West Midlands,

The solution to this problem is to be found on the pitch. I believe that Rafa is the best manager available for Liverpool and will bring us the League title - if not this year, then soon. But the sooner the team starts winning, the sooner this rot will stop. If the players ever wanted to make themselves "heard" on this issue, then winning is the way to keep their manager.

Ricky, Manila, Philippines

I'm sorry Agent Hicks and Agent Gillett but you can't come in just yet. However, it does seem that your work is nearly done and Gwladys Street is smiling..

flo ireland, houston, texas, USA

It is clear that the pressure is influencing Rafa and the squad. What I have read today on the official site made my mouth fall. For me Hicks is mad. As a fan the only way to believe him when he says that they're behind Rafa is to see him sitting right next to Rafa on a couple of games. And further, I will only believe this when I look at Rafa's face and see the worry go. Rafa is always as tense as spring stretched to the limit.
The manager and squad cannot perform this way. I am so disappointed mainly, cause at the end we're going to loose the best manager since Daglish if not earflier. And if we loose him we'll have to start another 5 year period of building all the time having manure gaining ground on our hard earned tally.

Well bloody done yanks!

Jason, Ghaxaq, Malta

I read it somewhere before and its something I strongly believe in. The decline of Liverpool in the early 90s was not just down to Souness, or Roy Evans having a terrible defence, but the retirement of Peter Robinson as club secretary. He was the man who did the deals which kept Liverpool the dominant force for 20 years. While Robinson was there every Liverpool manager up to and including Dalglish, didn't have to worry about signing players, there were none of the dragged out deals that have been going on under Parry.

Parry was always a poor replacement for Robinson but has proved himself to be an utter clown. Take the Cisse signing for example. That took something like 3 years to do! If it had been Robinson he would have moved on very quickly and told the boss to identity another player. The Mascherano debacle would not have happened. Masc would have been tied to a permanent deal long ago.

Parry has to go. Simple as that. And while he's at it he can take the yanks with him.

hector, Sydney,

It hasn't taken long for these pair of 'good old boys' to show their true colours. Within months they have managed to strip away the intergrity of our great club. It's clear they don't have a clue, they don't have the money for the stadium and won't make the necessary investment on the field. Forget about the summer spending. Benitez recouped nearly half the summer outlay on transfers by selling. Why could Benitez not sign Mascherano? I always thought that was the plan. What changed? Simple, no money, no plan. I only wish the rumours of a sell off are true. DIC were made for Liverpool but alas our hapless chairman and chief executive managed to balls that up too. Their legacy of failure has well and truly been topped by this final act of betrayal. If Parry had any conscience he should resign. We are on the precipice of becoming the type of club that even a short time ago we would have looked down on. As fans we need to make our views known. I hope I'm wrong but I don't think so.

NiallA, Dundalk, Ireland

Ed Dirben, they did not invest millions of pounds IN the club. They gave millions of pounds of borrowed money to the previous owners of the club; they are rolling up the interest on the debt into the loan; and they borrowed money to buy players - all of which DEBT they are currently seeking to place in the club despite previous assurances that they would not do so. So far as has been publicly revealed, their investment of their own cash in the club is currently standing at zero pounds and zero pence.

I am not a Liverpool fan, and I have never regarded them as heroes. The previous owner claimed that he would only sell to owners who would benefit the club, but he just took the best offer for himself, so he is the real villain of the piece. The Americans seemed to be an inferior option to Dubai at the time, and that has since been confirmed. Americans are the worst owners for a sports club as they are the only people who think it is normal for a "franchise" to pay regular dividends.

Oliver Chettle, Bedford,

An absolute shambles - does Hicks think Liverpool fans will believe him about KIlnsman being apporached as an insurance policy? I have never heard of this in football - I am sure it goes on all the time, but owners/chairmen never come out and say it. This is his attempt to get Benitez to walk away by undermining him. His big problem is that Benitez has the (majority of) fans on his side and they would rather the owners sold up than lose the manager. Of course results have not been going well of late, but stability and long term commitment are crucial ingrediants for success - just look at Newcastle for an example of what knee jerk decisions can do to your club. David Moores must rue the day he chose these two clowns over DIC.

Dickie , Wirral,

Typical Americans and I am an expat living here. They are all Mouth and Trousers. The Kop should demonstrate this in no uncertain terms on Tuesday. Not only should the Americans go but Moores and Parry, you are as bad as they are. You were greedy for a few extra bob.

Totally disgusted with the lot of you

The Red Horseman, Draper, Utah USA

I am truly sickened by the latest outpourings from Hicks in the press today. I wish he and his partner would just sell up and leave us to pick up the pieces with someone able to uphold the fine traditions of our wonderful club.

lawrie williams, manchester, england

So they were the saviours when they bought the club,and invested millions of pounds,and now because they are just trying to protect their investment they are jerks? It's time you guys got real and started to live in the real world. Reporters in the British press were constantly linking Benitez with other clubs,notably Real Madrid,and so you cannot blame the owners for taking out an insurance policy.
English football is in a time warp financially and is so far out of touch with reality and real values it's laughable. One day, maybe sooner than you think, BSkyB's love affair with the Premiership will end and the whole house of cards will collapse in spectacular fashion because the vastly inflated players wages and transfer fees will not be sustainable. It is going to be very painful for all concerned when - not if, when - that happens. Then the fans will be so very grateful for the fact they have rich American owners. Think about it, at least., instead of sounding off about greedy Yanks.

Ed Dirben, London,

I cannot believe how reasonable this piece by Oliver Kay is, and from now on, I'll give his reporting on LFC far more credence

The americans have spun themselves into a hole, have shown how little they know about the game, and have lost the support of the LFC fanbase - a month ago, rafa looked like a mug. Now, it's hicks and gillett. Would DIC be any better? Well, they're richer and the owner is apparently a liverpool fan.

Or maybe they're both a bunch of wrong'uns.

Liam D, London,

I think it is absolutely disgraceful that Hicks would come out and even say this in public. It is a slap in the face of a good, solid manager that has brought Liverpool into the modern European scene. Yes, the league has been elusive, but I still think that the total disregard for tact is pathetic. And where is Parry in all of this? Nowhere to be seen. Above all else, I feel that he has been the one consistent problem during the Rafa era. If Rafa goes, so will Torres, Reina, and probably Babel. It will be four more years of rebuilding. I can't wait.

Ryan, Lexington, United States, KY

Sadly the comedy duo leading (!?) Liverpool Football Club have made a laughing stock of themselves and the club they control. In fact they are more a tragedy duo for the club's fans.
The statement issued today by Mr. Hicks is up there with the stories of Messrs. Anderson and Grimm, but less believable.
I think Rafa knew of attempts to undermine him and deliberately made public the disagreement over transfer policy, a policy which saw an increase in net spend in the summer of just £8m over the previous year. Not the vast sums broadcast by the owners.
Then there is the fiasco of the proposed new ground, announced with an huge fanfare of trumpets and even larger smiling American faces. A few weeks later the scheme is "not financially viable", and with no sign of any faces American or otherwise the scheme is dropped and a reduced proposal is "under consideration".
Yes Oliver, I wonder if they will have the nerve to show their faces again ?

Peter Leonard Short, Wirral,

Benitez's position is untenable while the Americans are in charge, that much is clear. But so long as the fans have their way - ie supporting the boss - there is every chance Liverpool will remain also-rans in the Premier League. Benitez has shown himself to be a man incapable of cracking the code in the league and that counts against him. While he continues to select weakened sides - witness it again vs Boro - LFC will continue to underperform. Missing out on fourth is a very realistic possibility - and for a team sporting Gerrard and £26m Torres that is not the fault of the owners, but solely the manager the fans proclaim to trust implictly.

Neale Graham, London,

One has to wonder how on earth Hicks & Gillett made their money in the first place as they seem to have ZERO people skills whatsoever.

And has been pointed out by numerous people people they also know ZERO about European soccer (or maybe European sport full stop).

Is it any wonder the wheels are falling off the Liverpool wagon with all this going on?? There is no chance that Benitez or the players can have their minds on the business of playing soccer.

Hicks & Gillett have stuffed it up totally (with potentially the best squad in years too) and will correctly never be trusted or welcomed again one feels... take your money and YANKEE GO HOME.

Come to think of it.. it isn't your money anyway is it??

Jim Kellam, Melbourne, Australia

The americans have proven themselves to untrustworthy and dishonest, promises broken and statements proven to be lies. They need to go. But lets be honest David Moores and Rick Parry have to bear a huge responsibility for the sale of our club to this type of person. David Moores had shook hands on the deal with DIC only to turn his back on them for a few extra quid and Parry ensured he kept his job. Some fan David Moores, and if Parry was any good at his job he would of kept it no matter who owned it. In reflection we were sold down the river by two of our own, Moores and Parry should hang there heads in shame. I just pray that your article about the funding being almost in place for our new stadium is wrong because maybe then DIC will give us a second chance.

Peterb, Liverpool, Great Britain

Mr. Kay, please tell me you have some inside information that the "custodians" of our beloved club are going to sell, and leave us alone?

Kopper, Liverpool,

typical yank bravado promising the world but only succeding in destabalising the great work that Benitez has done so far, the fruits of which I am sure will come through in 3-4 years when his remodeled youth system kicks in. Torres apart, we still are not really able to compete in big boys transfer league and as long as we are signing the likes of Pennant and Benyoun etc rather than competing for the likes of Riberry, Malouda, SWP etc then we wont compete with the big 3. disgusted at the way Benitez has been treated

jpsl, london,

Well said, this is a great summing up of the situation and of the feelings of the vast majority of Liverpool fans. It is despicable.

paul, Liverpool,

Hicks&Gillett are working Rafa out its just like what happened to Jol at spurs and mourinho.With everyday that passes it looks like Parry and Moores got it wrong when they turned there backs on D.I.C

roadend76, liverpool,

Its now either Rafa or G&H I think.

With the news DIC are interested again I'd happily see the Yanks paid off to sell out. While Benitez has being doing my head in again lately I suspect his mind is'nt at all on the job.

Looking ahead, DIC and Mourinho (with Paco Ayesteran as no 2) would not be beyond my tolerance right now.

mike65, waterford,

I have to say that the above has turned out to be totally true.
It's also indicative that throughout this, there has been a 'stoney silence' from both Rick Parry and David Moores. I'm sure Moores in particular is exasperated by the the 'goings-on' of our new owners (where as Parry is seen to be a back-sliding survivalist content to be Hicks' lackie). Rick was out of a job if the initial Arab bid went through...Oliver Kay is right. There will be a fan and terrace revolt if Benitez is sacked. (of S*n proportions). Boycot of merchandising Both owners and Parry are now not trusted in anyway and their ownership (in the eyes of the fan-base) is permanently untenable. They simply will never be trusted again after promising diamonds and delivering dust....We were also assured that the club would not inherit the takeover debt which has also turned out to be a lie. As unknown as the intentions are regarding any possible future DIC buyout. That is infinitely more acceptable than todays shambles

Eddie, Liverpool,

if he hits the target this term he will stay....if he failed than out he goes.

shams, doha,

Well put Oliver, this whole situation has been a mess ever since Rafa pointed out that after losing in Athens it was time get things moving on as far as transfers were concerned. Buy now and pay less, buy now and don't miss out on key targets. Whatever you do, don't decide to break up for the summer as if you're a primary school teacher.

That riled the owners, no prizes for guessing which one was riled most, and so ended the honeymoon.

Since then they've been waiting for an excuse to sack him. The CL elimination would have worked, but then Klinsmann turned them down. And no wonder - would you work for that comedic duo?

The large number of Liverpool-supporting journalists, with genuine contacts in the club, has been working overtime to let people know. The US PR machine has been working overtime as if they were running for President of the US. But it's easy to read between the lines. It's easy to spot the inconsistencies of denials.

Time they moved on. We don't want them.

Jim Boardman, Merseyside, England

The sooner Tom and Gerry go the better, so does Parry

Joe, London,

Spot on. Can I say more?

There may well be a "revolt" and we may see the first one tomorrow at the Luton game.

We want rid of these clowns asap.

Si, Nuneaton,