Liverpool FC confirm new investors hopes but deny they would sell stars like Torres and Gerrard
Jan 13 2010 by John Thompson, Liverpool Echo
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LIVERPOOL Managing Director Christian Purslow today confirmed the club could have new investors within the next few months – as he insisted top stars like Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard would never be sold.
Purslow revealed he is now deep into the process of whittling down potential interested parties – of which there are several.
If successful that could ultimately involve part ownership with current American joint club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett – or even someone completely buying them out.
The Reds supremo who took over from Rick Parry last year, spoke following the resignation on Monday of director Tom Hicks Jnr, son of co-owner Tom Hicks, after an email row with a fan.
He insisted all money recouped in the January transfer window would be available to manager Rafa Benitez to invest in replacements.
Purslow’s firm declaration that players like Torres and Gerrard would be going nowhere followed weekend newspaper headlines which claimed Benitez had acknowledged the duo might one day have to be sold.
Benitez was known to be very angry with the way he was represented over Torres and club captain Steven Gerrard – and Purslow completely dismissed the notion of Liverpool ever being a “selling club”.
The former city banker and lifelong Liverpool fan told the ECHO: “Nothing could be further from the truth than reports which suggested the club would choose to sell its star footballers. Full stop.
“The idea that we would ever wish to sell our top players is completely against the interests of this club.
“In fact our key priority since the summer has been to secure our senior players on long term improved contracts, because we remain of the view that our starting eleven compares with anybody in the Premier League.
“Our plan – and what we are working on – is to try and improve the team; not to be so stupid as to reduce the quality of our squad.
Jan 13 2010 by John Thompson, Liverpool Echo
ext
LIVERPOOL Managing Director Christian Purslow today confirmed the club could have new investors within the next few months – as he insisted top stars like Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard would never be sold.
Purslow revealed he is now deep into the process of whittling down potential interested parties – of which there are several.
If successful that could ultimately involve part ownership with current American joint club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett – or even someone completely buying them out.
The Reds supremo who took over from Rick Parry last year, spoke following the resignation on Monday of director Tom Hicks Jnr, son of co-owner Tom Hicks, after an email row with a fan.
He insisted all money recouped in the January transfer window would be available to manager Rafa Benitez to invest in replacements.
Purslow’s firm declaration that players like Torres and Gerrard would be going nowhere followed weekend newspaper headlines which claimed Benitez had acknowledged the duo might one day have to be sold.
Benitez was known to be very angry with the way he was represented over Torres and club captain Steven Gerrard – and Purslow completely dismissed the notion of Liverpool ever being a “selling club”.
The former city banker and lifelong Liverpool fan told the ECHO: “Nothing could be further from the truth than reports which suggested the club would choose to sell its star footballers. Full stop.
“The idea that we would ever wish to sell our top players is completely against the interests of this club.
“In fact our key priority since the summer has been to secure our senior players on long term improved contracts, because we remain of the view that our starting eleven compares with anybody in the Premier League.
“Our plan – and what we are working on – is to try and improve the team; not to be so stupid as to reduce the quality of our squad.
