Owners launch bid to find buyer for Liverpool

[earl]

Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, the Liverpool owners, have signalled that they are ready to sell their stake at Anfield after engaging Merrill Lynch, the investment bank, to find a buyer for the club.

The Americans need to restructure their £350million loan with the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), which expires on January 25. However, the bank, at present under public ownership because of the credit crunch, has adopted a policy of restructuring loans only in extremely favourable conditions. While discussions with Gillett and Hicks have not yet opened, their circumstances are not believed to fall into this category. The owners have always denied that the club were available for sale but the latest move signals an acceptance that the American duo's future control is unsustainable.

Although the Liverpool owners denied yesterday that Merrill Lynch has been engaged, The Times understands that auditors looked at Liverpool's books last week with a view to finding a buyer. So far, the search appears to be unsuccessful.

Sheikh Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, has maintained a longstanding interest in acquiring Liverpool but has balked at the price tag set by the American pair, which is upwards of £550 million.

The owners admitted last month that plans for a new stadium in Stanley Park have been put on hold indefinitely. RBS is bracing itself for a campaign of protest by the Spirit of Shankly, a Liverpool supporters' union.

An offer from Dubai of £500million has been on the table for many months, but there has been minimal contact between the Sheikh's representative, Amanda Staveley, and the American camp over the past few months.

Rumours of interest from Robert Kraft have swirled around Anfield in the past few weeks but it is not believed that the owner of the New England Patriots American football team is a viable bidder for Liverpool.

[Harry]

Hope something comes of this mate. We need those 2 fools out of our club.

[earl]

Too right. I'd totally written off this season before it started, as I thought the continuation of the pantomime behind the scenes might start seeping onto the pitch. Best start in over 12 years so what do I know! Seeing these clowns go would make me a very happy man. They must surely realise now that between the credit crunch and teams like Chelsea, Man Utd and city, they just simply can't compete financially, especially with the new stadium now put on hold indefinetly.

Big week this week. I'd be happy with draws in both games to be honest. Atletico are a tidy side and these day's it's nigh on impossible to get 3 points at the Bridge. Chelsea fairly mauled Middlesbro' at the weekend.

[Harry]

I'd take a draw at Chelsea but we should win in Madrid tonight.

We started well last year as well so i'm just keeping my head down and hoping and praying ;D

[earl]

I'm keeping pessimistic, as it's worked well so far!

[earl]

Liverpool FC owners Hicks and Gillett are targets of coup by MPs

LIVERPOOL’s American owners could be the targets of an astonishing coup attempt – by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

The PM has been urged to topple Reds owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett by six MPs.

The Merseyside MPs, led by Walton’s Peter Kilfoyle, want the government to pull the plug on a crucial £350m loan to Hicks and Gillett.

Their move came as Tom Hicks last night reinterated his desire not to sell Liverpool FC, despite suggestions investment bank Merrill Lynch has been instructed to find a buyer for the club.

A source close to the Texan said the bank were merely providing expertise in refinancing the existing debts.

He said: “Tom is not looking to get out of Liverpool – it is an asset he likes and he doesn’t plan an exit.

“They have not engaged Merrill Lynch to sell the club. They have been an advisor of Tom’s for 12 months.”

Those close to Hicks believe he and co-owner George Gillett will exercise a six-month extension on their loans due in January but the Mersey MPs believe they can put

pressure on the Prime Minister – through the part-nationalisation of the Royal Bank of Scotland – to prevent such a move.

If RBS did stop an extension, the MPs – who are furious over the ongoing delay of plans for a new stadium – believe the pair would be forced to sell the club.

Yesterday, Kilfoyle tabled a parliamentary motion, quickly signed by George Howarth (Knowsley North and Sefton East), Eddie O'Hara (Knowsley South), Louise Ellman (Riverside), Bob Wareing (West Derby) and Derek Twigg (Halton).

The motion calls on the government to act because “the American owners have failed to deliver a new stadium for Liverpool FC, thereby delaying indefinitely the regeneration of one of the most needy areas of the country.”

A mistake by the Commons authorities meant the word “renew” accidentally appeared as “review” – changing the motion’s entire meaning – but that was due to be corrected last night.

Mr Kilfoyle told the Daily Post: “The government is not putting £20bn of taxpayers money into the Royal Bank of Scotland in order for two foreign nationals to use that money to buy a British institution without putting in any money of their own.

“The fact is that the owners are doing nothing about the stadium, which was their big selling point. They are of no value to the club, to football, or to the city of Liverpool.”

[earl]

Keane last night fcuked up. That'll be the last time he'll ever attempt to showboat at this level. Dossena is probably the worst play to ever put on a red shirt and Arbeloa is cr@p. We're leaking goals all over the place because our wingbacks are cr@p.

I thought Reira played really well. He's looking very solid, especially in trying to get the ball back. Masch was a little rusty, but put in some good tackles. Alonso had another great game. Lucas was cr@p again. Bennyoun was actually worse than Dossena, which is quite an achievement. I said I'd take a point earlier, but I'm pretty disappointed that e didn't get three. Clearly, the Chelsea match was weighing on everyones mind.

[Harry]

Sloppy defending at the end. Old faithful Carragher must shoulder the blame for the goal. He's saved us more times than enough so won't dwell on it.

Benayoun was very poor. He gave the ball away time and time again. Bit like Luis Garcia only benny doesn't provide the magic that Garcia did at times.

I'm annoyed cos the 3 points were there for the taking but i'm pleased Rafa is now working more towards the league.

[Jim]

I think we have a couple of billion lying around if you want a lend of it.

[earl]

I'll email you my bank account details Jim and you can throw the money straight in.

[Jim]

Give it a couple of working days to go through. And keep a couple of grand for yourself.