Liverpool Up For Sale

[Edmund]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_6097200,00.html

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes that the arrival of new chairman Martin Broughton is a sign that the club is making positive progress after being put up for sale.

The news was confirmed by the Anfield club on Friday morning and Barclays Capital is also to offer advice to Reds co-owners George Gillettand Tom Hicks as they look for a buyer.

Financial struggles combined with a reportedly fraught relationship between Gillett, Hicks and Benitez has led to speculation about the future of the latter and as a result the announcement of the sale has been welcomed by Liverpool fans.

But Benitez, who has been repeatedly linked with Juventus, has remained characteristically guarded on the subject as he prepares for Monday's Premier League match against West Ham.

He said: "We have a new chairman and he is in charge of these issues.

"At this moment, for me as a manager, I have to concentrate on the West Ham game.

"I think the club is moving forward and that is positive. It is important for the club to move forward. It could be good news."

Broughton insists there will be no pressure on the club to sell star players Fernando Torresand Steven Gerrard this summer and predicts a bright future, with money available in the transfer market.

He said: "I can't see any reason for any forced sales. I think everybody concerned, fans, players and the manager, can all look forward to a very bright future.

"There will be money available for transfers, but I am not going into how much."

Broughton said any new owner would have to prove they had the funds to take the club forward and would be 'crazy' not to include building a planned new stadium.

"What's best for the club is somebody or bodies to come in and build the new stadium, make sure that the club is properly financed and that there is enough money available to take the club forward," he said.

"I have looked at the stadium project and frankly there is an overwhelming financial logic to any buyer to proceed with the stadium. Any buyer would be crazy not to do so.

"We wouldn't get to be the winning bid with that commitment."

Broughton also made it clear that he wants Benitez to remain on Merseyside, adding: "Rafa is a good manager, we want him to stay and he's under contract to stay."

[sdb]

Hmm, it's gonna be hard for them to get back into the big 4 bracket now, long term. Man City will spend big again in the summer, I reckon Arsenal will too. Man U and Chels are still too good although there's definately chinks in their armour. Good news for them though.

[jonthefox]

I might make a bid myself, seeing as i get paid on tuesday.

seriously though, this is now a billionaires game, and unless they can find one of those im afraid its more of the same for the kop faithful.

[FoxyPV]

The RedKnights should buy them and run the club even more into the ground - do stupid stuff like sell Torres to United for £10 plus Gary Neville (hahaha) and Gerrard to Inter for £20.

It will probably mean that Liverpool won't catch up for a year or two and a mass exodus will occur i.e Torres will leave unless they get a Sheik to just throw money at them.

Who would want to buy them though?