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From Times Online
May 2, 2008

Liverpool's European exit may force DIC move

Oliver Kay

The most turbulent season in Liverpool’s recent history is approaching a distinctly low-key conclusion, on the pitch at least, but the battle in the boardroom will continue to rage over the summer, with George Gillett Jr determined to defy Tom Hicks, his estranged co-chairman, and force through the sale of his 50 per cent stake in the club to Dubai International Capital (DIC), the Arab investment group.

DIC remains supremely confident that it will take possession of Gillett’s shares in the club in the coming weeks, but Hicks maintains that he will continue to exercise the power of veto he has — a claim that is disputed by Gillett and DIC — to prevent any such sale.

Hicks’s proposed veto is on the basis that he is still trying to find the funds or the backing that he would need to buy Liverpool outright. Hicks is under pressure to prove that he has the funds to take the club forward on his own, but sources in Texas have indicated that he is drawing up a business plan that would raise the £300 million needed for the construction of the club’s proposed new 71,000-capacity stadium in Stanley Park, which is due to open in 2011.

The end of Liverpool’s Champions League campaign, after their defeat by Chelsea in the second leg of their semi-final on Wednesday, was expected to accelerate the process, with DIC having kept its distance over the past four weeks, but now it must weigh up its next move, whether to wait or whether to exert more pressure on the owners to reach a solution. For now Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, appears to be working on the assumption that Hicks will be calling the shots at Anfield for the foreseeable future.

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Benítez suggested after his team’s defeat at Stamford Bridge that “just one signing could make a massive difference” to Liverpool, but once again a significant turnover of players is expected. He already has agreed a deal to sign Philipp Degen, the Switzerland right back, on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund and has made moves to sign Fernando Amorebieta, the 23-year-old central defender, from Athletic Bilbao. Those would be relatively minor deals, but Benítez will pursue more ambitious targets, including Gareth Barry, the Aston Villa and England midfield player, and at least one winger and striker as well as the usual smattering of talented teenagers.

On the way out of the club are Harry Kewell, whose contract expires on June 30, and, if the right offer comes in, Scott Carson, John Arne Riise, Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch. Even Xabi Alonso, a player who has been one of the cornerstones of the Benítez regime, is likely to be sold if any of his previous suitors, such as Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid or Barcelona, meet his £15 million valuation, particularly if Barry arrives as his replacement in midfield.

Steven Gerrard, the captain, believes that reinforcements are needed if Liverpool are to challenge for the Barclays Premier League title next term, but, having been unhappy with the team’s progress earlier in the season, he been reassured by their performances in recent months.

“There is no point looking back or thinking what might have been,” the England player said. “We have to look forward because we have to go into next season looking to improve again. Hopefully, we will go into next season with a stronger squad because that could make a big difference. If we can bottle this disappointment, it could be a big motivation for us.”

A very disapointing end, we were good enough to derserve beat Chelsea over the two matches, but it was not meant to be.

Mind you, things could be a lot worse, we could support Everton, where the fans measure a sucsseful season on what Liverpool fail to win, rather than what Everton achieve.

James Tennant, Huyton,

I don't want us to sell any of our English players. Get Barry, Young, Agbonlahor and Bentley in. Kuyt, Finna, Arbeloa, Riise Kewell out

Steve Hayes, Chester, England

A penalty, an offside goal or an own goal away from the champions league final - take your pick. An improved points return in the league & an impoved squad. We are improving, just compare this team to the one Benitez inherited. He needs time & money to improve a team further.

John, Middlesbrough, England

As a Chelsea fan, I implore the new owners to please keep Benitez! He hasn't got a clue how to win the Premier League...4th again!

Andy Coxon, New York, USA

WIth massive investment from Manchester United and Chelsea Liverpool's investment is nothing to shout about.With the players available the manager and his team has done well enough.
You need to spend a lot of money on players who can make a difference and that do not come cheap.

S K SAMY, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA

Hi to all Liverpool Fans

I think it is time for Rafa to expose the younger players to the Premiership rather than buying. Youth system should be put to more tougher exposure by fielding them for Coco Cola Cup and the FA Cup. For the EC and league, only the best shall be selected.

Gordon Chua, Singapore, Singapore

Is it a successful season? But at least this season we have a striker who can score more than 20 a season consistently.

Now we need to add another 20 a season striker or midfielder to change the 11 so called draws this season to wins next season.

Only then we can seriously challenge for trophies.

Patrick, Sabah, Malaysia

Champions League qualification, a striker who has scored more than 20 league goals, and finishing above our local rivals. Here's hoping "the peoples' club" will one day have a season as good as this.

Yadvinder Bhatia, London, England

Not the progress most of us Liverpool supporters would have liked, but still a decent return on a problematic season. Let's be clear, Liverpool does not yet have the spending clout of Chelsea or Man U so a CL semi final appearance and running Chelsea close to the final is actually pretty good.

Martin Thomas, Wallasey,

Its highly amusing that some fo you liverpool fans still see this as a successful season. Fourth (again) and out in the semi's of the CL. Clear progress that!!

Paul Dowd, Liverpool, UK

Out: Kuyt, Kewell, Finnan, Riise, Voronin, Alonso, Carson.
In: Barry, Rafinha, Emanuelson, Bentley, Van Der Vaart, Pandev.
Why is there so much support for Dirk Kuyt from Liverpool fans? "He works hard." Is that enough from an attacking player? No ability, no pace, no use.

Barry Caldwell, Belfast, Northern Ireland

4th in the prem is all we will get under hicks and gillette.come on dic we dont want another season like this one .
barry,villa,mancini.

Dnk, preston, uk

Players In:
Barry (14m), Silva, Villa(combined 35m)--£49m
Players Out:
Pennant (6m), Riise (5m), Crouch (7m), Voronin (3m), Alonso (14m), Carson (9m)--44m
Net Spending--5m

Premiership Titile Winners '09!

A.Khan, Manchester,

A Closely fought semi in the champions league and comfortably fourth after the tailspin we had in December and January isn't a particularly low key conclusion.

Andy Iddon, London, UK

Hicks out DIC in !

Jofrad, St Austell, UK

Oh here we go again. Each time Benitez exit from Champion League, he moan about requiring stronger squad. He buys players to keep the bench warm.
Come on, give us a break. Excuses..excuses!

MikeK, Harrow, UK

Liverpool is looking more and more like Arsenal with the exodus of the English players from the club. More bad news for the England football team. But I guess nobody really cares, in'it?

Esbi, Luton, UK

Silly to get rid of Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch. These guys are much better in comparison to Voronin, Benayoun, Kuyt. At times I really don't understand Rafa Benitez's decisions.....

Sam, HK, HK

In;- Rafinha, Lahm, Mancini, Quaresma, Owen, Cruz

Out;- Riise, Finnan, Benayoun, Kewell, Crouch, Voronin, Itanje, Myhailov

Ian, whitstable, england

Whoever the owners are at the end of the Summer, please, please please please please keep Benitez on...he's just now starting to build something credible at Anfield for the first time in 18 years.

Liverpool need to allow him a few more seasons and a bit more cash to mould his team...

Greg, Dubai, UAE

Dave Hammond out, Brain In

No chance Owen is going to Anfield to play bit part as with Torres and Gerrard linking up so well that is all he would get!!

More likely to be a young striker or forgien player used to rotation or a journeyman!!

Unless he wants Fowler back that is??

Colin Blues, San Diego, USA

Kewell out, Barry in
Riise out, Bridge in
Finnan out, Degen in
Voronin out, Owen in

Dave Hammond, hartlepool, frabce

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