Liverpool FC Forum

[Ciggy]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2007/11/30/rafa-wins-89520-20183345/

RAFA WINS
EXCLUSIVE Hicks ready to sell his stake in Anfield
By Martin Lipton 30/11/2007

Rafa BENITEZ's war with Liverpool owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks took a stunning twist last night as it emerged one of the two American millionaires is looking for a way out of the club.

City sources confirmed last night that Hicks, who has been at the forefront of the battle with Benitez, is preparing an exit strategy. Barely nine months after arriving at Anfield in a blaze of glory after the £219million takeover, it is understood Hicks has placed a guide valuation of a staggering £1billion on the Merseyside club.

And while that price is seen as ridiculous by City analysts, it emerged last night that Dubai International Capital, the investment group headed by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and who were jilted at the alter by Liverpool 12 months ago, could be ready to make a new bid.

Hicks' relationship with Benitez reached almost total breakdown last week, when the Spaniard was ordered to "quit talking about new players" in the January transfer window.


Benitez expected to be sacked as the row intensified, although a fragile peace was forged ahead of Wednesday's vital Champions League win over Porto, which kept the Reds in the competition.

Hundreds of fans marched on Anfield before the game to show their backing for Benitez.



This story has been floating around for weeks, and maybe the mirror got it from one of the football forums, I personally hope its true and he sells his share to DIC or Robert Kraft.

[RedRoots]

Fookin Norah, this is crazy!

[skatesy]

Bring in the Arabs! 


hahaha

[ConnO'var]

Bring in the Arabs! 


hahaha

Yup.... and just drag us through a different gutter.

What the f@#K is going on??!!!!!!!

Hope this is all tabloid trash.

[mungi]

considering its from the mirror, its most likely garbage

[The Manhattan Project]

Sounds like nonsense to me.

I'm starting to wonder if this supposed "Hicks/Gillett vs Rafa" thing is actually occuring at all.

[Ciggy]

considering its from the mirror, its most likely garbage

25th of October dinner with Balague and Dermot Gallagher in Maghull.
Believe what you will but Guillem admitted the following in a Q and A session.

The Americans are looking to get rid of Liverpool as quick as they can.

[LiverpoolMadman]

... I know it ... they just want to make money ... They are NOT SOCCER FAN or Liverpool FAN !!!

[D___C]

[quote="LiverpoolMadman"][/quote]
Just hope this doesnt have any impact on our new stadium and its all systems go.

[lakes10]

erm its the mirror.

[Ciggy]

erm its the mirror.

From the Telegraph:

Liverpool may be entering a period of upheaval after it emerged co-owner Tom Hicks is looking for a way out of the club.

Benitez keen to end 'misunderstanding'

City sources have confirmed that Hicks, who has been at the forefront of a dispute with manager Rafa Benitez over signings, is preparing to sell his shares.

   
Bailing out: Tom Hicks (right) is ready to sell his Liverpool shares
Hicks took control at Anfield, alongside fellow American George Gillett, following a £219 million takeover.

Both men initially rang the praises of Benitez, calling the manager a genius, with many supporters predicting Liverpool would lift the Premier League title this season after a £40m summer spending spree.

However, results have been inconsistent, sparking criticism of Benitez's rotation policy and prompting the Spaniard to demand more funds in January.

Hicks and Gillett have so far been reluctant to release more money for players, prompting a very public breakdown in relations.

Now it seems developments have reached a head with Hicks hoping to cash in on his investment.

The businessman has reportedly put a £1 billion guide valuation on the club, and while City analysts have dismissed this as ridiculous, it was revealed last night that Dubai International Capital, the investment group headed by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, are ready to make a new bid having previously attempted a takeover.

[The Manhattan Project]

Telegraph and the Mirror may be using each other as sources.

[sworth26]

I find this really concerning.  As I suspected when it was revealed the club would be sold last year, it's short term gain for long term pain.. We may have some cash injected but it is all for nothing if we there is no stability behind the scenes.

[redtrader74]

I really hope all this blows over, i think that uncertaintly like this is the biggest threat to our chances for honours this year.


200,000 supporters buy a share for £5k= £1bn 

[JohnBull]

You've only got to look at Raffa's face to see that it's been going on.
Don't forget that up to now all his managerial experience has been in places where the money came from people who were interested in the game and , by and large, turned up to watch the team.
Back when we were winning the league for fun and becoming the greatest team this countries ever seen, we were too slow off the mark. The Mancs have shown everyone the way, financially, and that is why the Glaziers are not too concerned about Frigison buying all and sundry. Their Yanks are getting a good return and stay out of it.
Our Yanks do not have the footballing sense to let the club get on with the job. We are a longer term investment than the Mancs and the pocket has to be deeper than they realised.
I still worry over the Financial times report that the committments of The Gooners are 4 times annual income, The mancs 8 times annual income and the proposed loans G&H were going to take out for the new stadium would have put us on 16 times.
If they are getting on the next Mayflower and going home, whoever comes in will need a lot of their OWN money to chip in. Just a pity that Morgan wasn't a bit richer, he only had £130m ??