SATURDAY 9
	Liverpool takeover: Nine-point deduction may scupper £300m deal Liverpool's prospective owners New England Sports Ventures [NESV] may pull out of the proposed £300 million takeover if next week's court case rules that the club must enter administration. Liverpool’s proposed sale to NESV could break down because the American company fears the club will be placed in administration and suffer a nine-point penalty. It has been reported that NESV is alarmed by the idea, having been given assurances that it was an extremely unlikely scenario when the company agreed a deal to buy the club. (Telegraph co.uk) Kenny won't rule out management return Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has refused to rule out a return to management if he is offered a "suitable" opportunity. Dalglish, who was overlooked for the Liverpool job this summer in favour of Roy Hodgson, has been linked with the Anfield role again as pressure grows on Hodgson following a disappointing start to the season. Dalglish is currently working as an ambassador for Liverpool's academy and although he is happy in that role he has not dismissed the possibility of returning to management at the highest level. "First of all you need to be asked, second it needs to be suitable if you were asked," Dalglish told Reuters when asked if he wanted to manage for the first time since 2000. "Because you don't say 'No', people think you say 'Yes' but that is not necessarily true either. "I wouldn't say anything other than I am really happy at the moment. There is nothing definitive either way." (TEAMtalk) Young Reds lose at Blackburn Liverpool's U18s went down to a 3-2 defeat at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday afternoon. The young Reds led at the interval thanks to a strike from Adam Morgan and could have been two ahead had Raheem Sterling's earlier effort not been ruled out for offside. But the home side hit back after the break with an equalising goal from Jamie MacLaren and then took the lead from the penalty spot after a hotly disputed handball decision. Things got worse for Rodolfo Borrell's men when Matthew Regan was sent off for the Reds, before MacLaren netted again to give Blackburn a two-goal cushion. Adam Morgan netted his and Liverpool's second late on, but it wasn't enough to salvage anything from the match - and to compound the Reds' misery Craig Roddan was shown a red card after the final whistle. Liverpool: Stephens, Poor, McGiveron, Sama, Regan, Coady, Sterling, Roddan, Morgan, Roberts, Silva. Subs: Aylmer, Belford, Sumner, Walsh, Mukendi. (LFC Official Website) Chairman confirms Hodgson release clause Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton has confirmed to ESPNsoccernet that the future of manager Roy Hodgson following a takeover is catered for in the provisions of his contract. Prospective owners New England Sports Ventures (NESV), led by John W Henry, plans to sit down with Hodgson once the deal is complete to discuss his vision for Liverpool's future. In an exclusive interview with ESPNsoccernet, Broughton revealed: "Roy knew when he signed up from Fulham that we were in the process of finding new owners, it was not a surprise to him. He was fully reconciled with the possibility there would be an ownership chance and the risk involved with that. "But Roy is self confident and was, when he signed up, confident he was capable of doing the job at Liverpool. With that in mind provisions were made in Roy's contract to relate specifically to any change in ownership." Hodgson will have to prove himself to the new owners. Broughton added: "I would full expect Roy to continue as manager and there has been no indication to me to suggest otherwise. However, as we all know, at the end of the day, everything depends on results." (ESPN Soccernet) Stevie hails Jonjo start Steven Gerrard today insisted Liverpool youngster Jonjo Shelvey can look forward to a bright future at Anfield. The England U19 midfielder has made a promising start to his Reds' career since arriving from Charlton in the summer, and was one of the few positives to come out of the Carling Cup defeat to Northampton when he made an impressive contribution as a late substitute and then confidently slotted home his penalty in the shoot-out. Gerrard admits Shelvey still has a lot to learn - but he believes the early signs are more than encouraging. "When Jonjo came on against Northampton I thought he did really well," he said. "He put some dangerous balls into their box and just that piece of action will have done him the world of good as he moves forward. It'll give him the confidence to try and shift people from the first eleven. "He is a talented player. He's still young and still a baby in football terms but if he keeps learning - not just from me but from everyone in the squad, people who are older than him and have been there and done it before - his game will continue to get better and better." (LFC Official Website) Broughton admits admin fears Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton admits the club could end up in administration next week. The Reds' future will be decided in the High Court on Tuesday, as Broughton battles with the club's owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks over the proposed sale of the club to New England Sports Ventures. Should RBS call in their debts, then that would see Liverpool enter administration which would also see a nine-point deduction in the Premier League. "It [administration] could happen, yes," Broughton told the Daily Telegraph. Broughton admits the consequences of administration would be 'catastrophic' "Going into administration needs to be avoided at all costs, as the negative impact would be catastrophic," he said. (Sky Sports) Nicol gives NESV thumbs up Liverpool legend Steve Nicol believes NESV will be good owners of the Reds. Nicol, currently a coach in America's Major League Soccer, believes the proposed new owners of the club will be a good fit at Anfield. Nicol has been coach of New England Revolution since 2002, the same year NESV took over the Boston Red Sox baseball franchise, and has been able to witness first hand what effect and success they have had. "As a member of the Liverpool family, I am excited to hear that new owners may be taking over at Liverpool," said the 48-year-old. "My understanding of this group is that they have protected and nurtured the history and tradition of one of America's beloved teams, while bringing championships to the franchise. "As a former player for, and now supporter of, Liverpool this is the type of ownership group Liverpool should be looking to take the club back to where it rightfully belongs." (tribalfootball) Euro joy for Raul and Dirk Anfield duo Raul Meireles and Dirk Kuyt were both celebrating last night after helping their countries to victory in 2012 European Championship qualifiers. Meireles played all 90 minutes for Portugal as two goals from Nani and another from Cristiano Ronaldo helped secure a 3-1 victory over Denmark. Kuyt also completed the match as Holland picked up three points with a 1-0 win in Moldova. Portugal travel to Iceland for their second fixture in this international round of games next Tuesday while Holland will entertain Sweden. (LFC Official Website) Scout: Reds chasing four new player Liverpool scout Jakob Friis-Hansen has hinted the club are looking to bring in four new players in the January transfer window. Dane Friis-Hansen is currently in his homeland after watching Lyngby's clash with FC Nordsjaelland, where he was thought to be watching young trio Kim Aabech, Lasse Rise and Emil Larsen in action. However, Friis-Hansen denied he was interested in the players and had just visited the club to see an old friend, admitting in the process that he is looking for several first-team players to join the ranks at Anfield. "I played with an old friend in Lyngby and have many good friends at the club, and because you have seen me up there, it does not mean that I am interested in their players. It is not what we need now," Friis-Hansen told bold.dk. "The results are now important in Liverpool, it is first priority to get four prominent players in the next window for the first team. Players who can go into the starting line-up. "Roy (Hodgson) will hopefully get some money to work with. I will work in Italy, Germany, France, Belgium and Holland and will this year also be going to Spain for Liverpool and it is solely for the first team. "It is a shame for Roy to get such a start, for there is no doubt that he is a really good coach. But it has been a tough start, because you did not know and still do not know what will happen with the club financially. "I can hopefully go out and look at players in the highest price category at a time. But we will see." (TEAMtalk)
	FRIDAY 8
	Premier League back Liverpool take-over The Premier League have given the go-ahead to New England Sports Ventures (NESV)'s takeover of Liverpool. The green light to the takeover by the American company, owners of the Boston Red Sox, means that only the High Court action by current owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett stands in the way of the £300m deal going through. The league said in a statement: 'The Premier League has met with the owners and directors of NESV regarding their proposed takeover of Liverpool FC and has received details, in accordance with Premier League rules, of the proposed company and ownership structure as well as the make-up of the new board. 'The Premier League is satisfied, with the information provided, that the individuals NESV intend to put in place in the event they complete their takeover of Liverpool FC meet the criteria set out in our owners' and directors' test. 'The board of the Premier League will continue working with Liverpool FC in regard to this process, however, we are aware that the formal completion of this takeover is yet to be resolved and it is therefore inappropriate for us to offer any further comment at this time.' (RTE) Liverpool could face points deduction Liverpool are likely to face a nine-point deduction if its parent company Kop Holdings goes into administration next week, BBC Sport understands. League rules say a points deduction can be used if a parent company insolvency is caused by the club's management. Sources suggest owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett would struggle to argue that the running of the football club had not affected the holding company. Liverpool could enter administration if a sale is not agreed by 15 October. (BBC sports news)   Broughton eyes profitable future Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton has aimed a swipe at Manchester City, saying his club's prospective new owners will provide a profitable future at Anfield. Broughton believes prospective new owner John Henry will provide 'rational' leadership at Liverpool and that the club will be in position for the new Uefa fair play regulations, which are set to come into effect in 2012. "A hugely important aspect for Liverpool is [Uefa's] financial fair play rules. They come into effect pretty damn soon, and will have a massive effect on many, many clubs," Broughton said. "Taking a rational, commercial approach to success is absolutely the right way forward, and that is what New England will do. They have demonstrated that already in their model at Boston." (Sky Sports)  Council throws stadium plans into doubt Liverpool City Council has hinted that they would make plans to develop Anfield difficult for Liverpool Football Club and its new owners. Should the pending deal from New England Sports Ventures go through next week in the High Court – where current owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are contesting the sale – the new American owners want to spend £100million on increasing capacity at the club’s current stadium. But councilor Joe Anderson, who has welcomed NESV’s £300million purchase of the club, says the city would favour a new stadium over redevelopments. (This is Anfield) Owen hoping new owners bring good times back to Liverpool Manchester United striker Michael Owen hopes the new owners at Liverpool can bring back the glory days. Liverpool are on the brink of a new takeover and Owen claimed the Anfield club will rise again once the contentious issue of their ownership is resolved. “Just as results can turn around, a change in fortune can turn a club around,” said Owen. “If Liverpool got taken over by a really wealthy person or group, just like Manchester City or Chelsea, things could change. “Sometimes it takes a step or two backwards to go forwards, so you never know what might happen next with Liverpool, but at the moment it’s hard for their fans. “Any team can be languishing near the bottom after half a dozen or so games. That can happen. But obviously not everything is right at Liverpool. “There are well-documented problems off the field and it’s all culminating at the moment. They’re not getting results on the field, the fans aren’t happy and there are different disturbances off the field. “They were seen as one of the title contenders at the start of the season, so from United’s point of view it’s good when they get beaten by the likes of Blackpool, which was a major shock." (tribalfootball.com) Lucas aids Brazil win Lucas Leiva helped Brazil to a 3-0 win over Iran on Thursday. The Liverpool man played 81 minutes in Abu Dhabi as goals from Daniel Alves, Alexandre Pato and Nilmar secured the win. Meanwhile, Danny Wilson lasted the distance as Scotland lost 2-1 to Iceland, for whom Victor Palsson was an unused substitute. The scoreline means the Scots have work to do in the second leg at Easter Road on Monday if they are to reach the finals of the U21 European Championships. (LFC Official Website)
	THURSDAY 7
	Red army set to flock to London for LFC's High Court D-day A Red army is set to flock to London for what is being billed as the most important days in Liverpool FC history. D-Day is expected next week when hundreds of supporters will descend on the High Court for the club’s critical ownership battle. Liverpool are currently preparing a heavyweight legal case with solicitors Slaughter and May as they seek a declaratory judgement to formally seal the £300m Reds sale to New England Sports Ventures (NESV), owners of the Boston Red Sox baseball team. If Tom Hicks and George Gillett decide to attend the Royal Courts of Justice in person to oppose the move, the Americans have been promised a warm reception. Liverpool fan groups said many of them were planning to line the streets of the Strand in the capital. (Liverpool Echo)   Chairman holds the cards but Tom Hicks vows to come out fighting Tom Hicks, the embattled co-owner of Liverpool, maintained today that he will fight the high court action launched by the Anfield chairman, Martin Broughton, to force the American to sell the club to New England Sports Ventures, the owners of the Boston Red Sox. (guardian.co.uk)   Reds face risk of points deduction Liverpool would be at risk of a nine-point deduction if the owners' holding company is put into administration, it emerged tonight. Initially it had been thought the Premier League would not penalise the club for Kop Holdings becoming insolvent, but now the threat of a points deduction has become a serious one. (BreakingNews.ie)  Dr Rogan Taylor calls on NESV to agree £50m fans’ stake at Liverpool Dr Rogan Taylor, the University of Liverpool academic who founded the ‘Share Liverpool’ scheme in 2008 to raise cash for a fan-led buyout at Anfield, has told sportingintelligence today that the potential new owners of the club, New England Sports Ventures, must “differentiate themselves from Tom Hicks and George Gillett” by making firm pledges on supporter ownership of the club. Taylor says he wants a firm commitment from NESV – headed by the Boston Red Sox co-owner, John W Henry – that NESV would be prepared to discuss let fans buy a “significant stake” in the club, perhaps as much as 25 per cent, as and when fans can raise £50m or a similarly significant sum. (sportingintelligence)  Roy's methods aren't working with Reds Liverpool's potential new owners New England Sports Ventures have reassured Roy Hodgson over his managerial future at Anfield, saying they feel he is "the right person to take this club forward" if their takeover goes through. I'm happy to admit that I thought Hodgson was a fantastic appointment as Rafael Benitez's successor in the summer - and even went as far as tipping them for a top-four finish. But now I'm not so sure. Having watched Liverpool's disastrous start to the season under his tutelage, albeit only seven league games in, I just can't see how things will get better for the Reds under the former Fulham boss, who already has an embarrassing League Cup exit to Northampton and a humiliating home defeat by Blackpool on his record. I can't shake the feeling that Hodgson is simply out of his depth at Anfield, with the glare of the constant spotlight on him overwhelming a man who now looks like he has the world on his shoulders. (Simon Wilkes - TEAMtalk)  Reina tells of low Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina says the slump of form the team finds itself in is the worst he can remember since joining the club. The Reds have had a torrid start to the season after a dreary last campaign. They currently sit 18th in the table, having only picked up 6 points from a possible 21. In addition, the Reds were dumped out of the Carling Cup at home to Northampton Town of League Two. However, the Spanish international hopes that the pending new ownership issues will help resolve the mood at Anfield, and restore form to the pitch. He said, “This is one of the worst periods I have experienced since I arrived at Liverpool. “I have read about the change of ownership in the newspapers and I hope that things will improve. “We have had some terrible results, but we have time to react. This team has not forgotten how to play football.” Liverpool next face Everton in the league a week on Sunday, by which point the club hopes to have completed the takeover by New England Sports Ventures. (This is Anfield) Dalglish: 'My dad's still got lots to offer' Paul Dalglish has told talkSPORT his dad still has plenty to offer Liverpool and would be prepared to help the club in any way possible - including a return to the managerial hot-seat. The former Anfield legend is currently an Academy Ambassador at the Merseyside club but has been linked with a return to the top job unless fortunes improve rapidly under Roy Hodgson. He told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast: "My dad’s said publicly he wanted the job before Roy Hodgson got it. But he was politely told he wasn’t the right person for the job and was perhaps out of touch. "But Einstein never stopped being a genius, did he? Once you’re a genius you’re always a genius. And my dad’s got the greatest football brain I’ve ever known and the managerial record to back it up. "He will help Liverpool in whatever way he can. He loves Roy Hodgson to bits and certainly doesn’t want the job while Roy’s there, but my dad’s got too much to offer not to be involved in the game in some way." He added: "The problem my dad’s got is people think he has a lot more power than he’s actually got [at Liverpool]. My dad’s only an academy coach but because of what he’s done at the club before people think he’s involved in the running of the club and all these decisions. "But what's happening is a worry to him. He loves Liverpool more than anyone I know. Once Liverpool’s in your heart it’s very hard to stop caring and he just wants to see a nice future for Liverpool and a solution to the problems we’ve got at the moment." (talkSPORT) Bid team give thumbs up to Reds takeover England bid chiefs claim that a takeover of Liverpool would strengthen the country's chances of winning the contest to host the 2018 World Cup. Liverpool is one of the bid's host candidate cities based on the Reds building a new stadium or redeveloping Anfield. The £300m takeover of Liverpool by New England Sports Ventures - owners of the Boston Red Sox - will be decided in the High Court after a legal challenge against the deal by current owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. England 2018 said in a statement: "These latest developments would appear to bring greater stability at the club closer and therefore a greater certainty regarding either an expanded Anfield or a new stadium. "That can only be positive for the England bid. Anfield is one of the iconic stadiums of world football and a planned new stadium would retain that aura but increase the capacity considerably in a fantastic state-of-the-art design. "Alongside our other stadiums that can only strengthen our technical bid which is one of the major foundations of our campaign." (TEAMtalk) Hodgson delighted with proposed takeover Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson welcomed the club's potential new American takeover as a positive move and pleaded for patience from the fans as he tries to turn around problems on the pitch. Liverpool accepted a €343 million offer from New England Sports Ventures (NESV), who also own the Boston Red Sox baseball team, although the deal is still subject to a legal challenge as well as approval from the Premier League. "It's very positive and of course I'm delighted," Hodgson said. "It's been going on a long time and I know how hard the board have worked to set things up." (Irish Times)  LFC saddened as Lil Fagan passes away Liverpool Football Club is saddened to hear the news that Lil Fagan, wife of former Reds manager Joe, has passed away. Lil died peacefully at a nursing home in Lincolnshire on Monday, aged 92. She is survived by five sons and a daughter. The sympathies of everyone at the club go out to the Fagan family at this sad time. (LFC Official Website) Hicks denies he gave Broughton authority to change club's board of directors Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks appeared to be bracing himself for a legal fight today after declaring the £300m sale of the Reds unlawful. A statement suggested the Texan was in no mood to back down, disputing assertions from Anfield chairman Martin Broughton it was in the club’s power to agree the New England Sports Ventures deal. Hicks disagreed with the Liverpool’s board insistence only Broughton had legal authority to change the make-up of the board, and that the Americans could not frustrate any potential sale. The former baseball club owner said: “There were no such undertakings given to Broughton, the board has been legally reconstituted and the new board does not approve of this proposed transaction.” (Liverpool Echo) St Louis Blues owner Checketts: Why Americans keen on Liverpool Dave Checketts spoke yesterday at the Leaders in Football conference about American ownership interest in the Premier League. Checketts, owner of St Louis Blues hockey team and Real Salt Lake soccer team in the USA, was commenting about New England Sports Ventures' move for Liverpool. Checketts stated that most US businessmen moving into club ownership this side of the Atlantic see it is an opportunity to invest and then exit and multiply their investment. "But like most American sports owners they think they are going to go in there, do a job and be a big hero and win many championships" he added. "Sometimes that doesn't work out. See Exhibit A, Liverpool. "I don't think the owners there built a relationship with the fan groups. I don't think they listened." (tribalfootball.com) Manchester City to bid for Torres One of John Henry’s first acts as new Liverpool owner will be to try and fend off a bid for Fernando Torres. The Boston Red Sox owner, whose New England Sports Ventures investment company have provisionally bought the Anfield outfit, will be hoping to persuade the club’s top players that they can still match their ambitions. However, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is planning an audacious swoop for Torres during the January transfer window. (Daily Post) Reds reassure Roy Roy Hodgson has been assured that his job his safe, as the proposed takeover of Liverpool gathers pace. The experienced coach took the Anfield hot-seat over the summer in the knowledge that the club could fall under new ownership during his tenure. It appears as though the Reds are now closing on such a deal, with the owners of the Boston Red Sox baseball team seeing a £300million bid accepted. (Sky Sports)  Wilson has no regrets signing with crisis club Liverpool Danny Wilson has no regrets joining crisis club Liverpool. No matter what happens to a team currently struggling in the relegation zone, Wilson knows NO-ONE can ever deny he's now a fully fledged Liverpool player. He told the Scottish Sun: "I'm still really enjoying it even though I've not had much first team action. "I made my debut against Northampton, which obviously wasn't the best game to come on to the scene. "There was just sheer disappointment in the dressing room afterwards. It's the same as Rangers, you're expected to win every game at Liverpool. "We let the manager down but more importantly, we let ourselves down. The manager gave us all a chance and we didn't do ourselves justice. "All I can do the next time I get a chance is prove I can do a lot better. "But no matter what happened in that game at least I can say I've played for Liverpool and that's something no-one can take away from me." (tribalfootball.com) Thor Zakariassen ©