Liverpool Fans Launch Takeover

Fans aim to take control as Share Liverpool FC launched

The Share Liverpool FC initiative aimed at taking over Liverpool Football Clubs was launched yesterday, as it's website was unveiled and details of the proposed scheme were released to the media. Essentially, the group is proposing 100,000 Liverpool fans put in 5,000 pounds each, to raise 500 million to acquire the club and finance a new stadium.

In what would be a revolutionary move in English football, a fan based ownership structure similar to Barcelona and Real Madrid is being put forward as an alternative model to the present rash of foreign owners who have been attracted in by the pot of Premier League TV gold.

Initial expressions of interest are being asked for via a new website, Share Liverpool FC launched on Thursday evening. Leading the initiative is football business lecturer and Liverpool fan Rogan Taylor. Taylor is also the Chair of the Football Supporters’ Association, launched in Liverpool after the Heysel Stadium Disaster in 1985. Talking about the scheme he said "the time is right to offer a different solution to the rising concerns that football fans have about the patterns of ownership developing at our major football clubs,"

Taylor went onto say that in Germany and Spain most top-level football clubs were not for sale as they were owned by many thousands of "member fans" arguing that "The Champions League has been won on six occasions in the last 15 years by clubs owned and run in such a way," he said. The most prominent club ran in this way is Barcelona, which won the Champions League in 2006, and is owned by its fan-members, of which there are 156,000 members.

It's a fascinating idea and one which just might come off. If Barcelona and Real Madrid are ran in this way, there is no reason why English clubs can't do the same.

Mascherano signs for Liverpool reports

Sky Sports News reports Mascherano has signed for Liverpool

Sky Sports News is reporting that with three minutes of the January transfer window remaining, Argentina International Javier Mascherano, has signed for a permanent move to Liverpool in a deal worth a reported £17million.

If true this will delight Rafa Benitez and give the club a bit of a lift after all the recent turmoil.

Liverpool - Mascherano deal not yet done

Mascherano deal close but not yet done

Liverpool are understood to have agreed a deal with Kia Joorabchian, who heads the companies who own Mascherano’s “economic rights”, for the club to assume sole ownership of the until June 2012. The fee is believed to be 17.1 million pounds. Liverpool were hoping to negotiate the fee down, but realised the strong interest of other clubs meant they had to pay the asking price. As Mascherano is already registered with Liverpool, both parties are in no rush to complete the deal, and it is believed it is likely to be announced next week.

Rafa Benitez will be delighted to have secured Mascherano, as it was the refusal of the board to sanction this deal in November that sparked the furore that has so badly derailed Liverpool's season. However the fact remains that Benitez's own position is far from secure, and is weakening by the day while Liverpool's results continue in their recent manner

Premier League News - Mascherano deal close

Americans Back Benitez with funds for Mascherano

The Liverpool Daily Post is reporting that Javier Mascherano is 'finally poised' to make his stay at Liverpool permanent, which will delight all Liverpool fans, though they will remain on tenterhooks until it is actually signed, sealed and delivered.

The determination of Hicks and Gillett to win back the trust of the Liverpool fans has begun, with this immediate attempt to close the Mascherano transfer, now the refinancing has been settled, and more importantly the sale of Momo Sissoko is complete. However its' not likely in itself to pacify Liverpool fans, who are angry at the pair for going back on their word and loading the club with debt and massive interest payments.

Mascherano is truly an outstanding player and will hopefully become and a major part of the team for many years to come. Footy focus suspects the yanks have recognised any incoming manager would want him, so the funding of this transfer could well be a simple business decision on their part, rather than any real backing of Rafa Benitez.

DIC prepare Liverpool bid

DIC still keen as Hicks and Gillett get closer to refinancing

Dubai International Finance is preparing to bid again for Liverpool Football Club. The Liverpool Echo, long known as the voice of the club, is reporting that DIC are preparing to launch a bid for Tom Hick's stake in the club. Hicks and Gillett are getting closer to a refinancing deal, but DIC see the present struggle to refinance the loan as a window of opportunity to once again acquire an asset they have long coveted.

Whether Hicks will be willing to sell remains to be seen. He and Gillett fought long and hard to acquire Liverpool, and both are still of the firm view that it is an asset that will deliver a sizeable return in the long term.

Footy Focus suspects Liverpool fans will be praying for DIC to enter the fray, and remove at least one of the Americans out of the equation, in what has rapidly turned into a disasterous foray into the Premier League for Hicks and Gillett. Rafa Benitez too, wont be upset that at least one of the Americans maybe going, as it clearly represents his best hope of remaining in charge.

The next few days and weeks are going to very interesting as it all plays out. Sources close to Gillett insist he is undecided over whether to agree to the refinancing deal being mooted, or pursue the partnership with DIC, in an attempt to buy out Hick's share.

Momo Sissoko move still on

Sissoko's next club not clear as three clubs jostle to seal a deal

Reports are circulating that Juventus have cooled their interest in Liverpool's Momo Sissoko, leading to speculation that Liverpool will not be able to afford to tie up the Javier Mascherano deal in this transfer window.

Of note however, is the fact that the Liverpool Echo is reporting three clubs are interested in Sissoko, which all points to a deal being done soon. This should enable Liverpool to tie up Mascherano, as regardless of who is in charge next season, any manager would want him in the squad.

Footy Focus thinks it's all part of the normal speculation and that Sissoko will move, with Mascherano secured to Liverpool.

Liverpool in Turmoil

Once a by-word for stability Liverpool's season is rapidly becoming a farce

The wheels have come off big-time on Liverpool's season, and for a club of Liverpool's traditions it must be heart-breaking for the fans.

Sami Hyppia has compared them to Newcastle, which we reckon is a message from the players to the club to get it sorted and quick. All the uncertainty surrounding the manager, is clearly affecting the team and it's performances. Liverpool are a top four side, but playing with all the panache and confidence of managerless Newcastle.

Whats desperately missing is clear leadership from the American owners. They're struggling to refinance their debt, there are rumours of DIC returning to bid for the club again, and the constant speculation around Rafael Benitez has led to unprecedented headlines for a Liverpool manager. Can you ever recall a Liverpool manager having 'dead man walking' headlines. The nearest was the Gerard Houllier, Martin O'Neill saga, which as it turned out was all in Gerard's head. Liverpool desperately need to get back to the long term stability which has characterised their approach to running the club over the years.

The odds on Liverpool rescuing their season must be against them now. There has been too much speculation regarding Rafael Benitez for that to be repaired and the players know it. They are playing like they are subconsciously waiting for the next manager. However loyal they are to Rafa they can't help looking past him, given all the speculation.

It all must be desperately depressing for the likes of Carragher and Gerrard, who are entering the autumn of their careers and have devoted themselves to their beloved Liverpool.