davek
Player Valuation: £150m
Exactly. And let's face it, most of the Kopites would be delighted with that turn of events as it'd give them their ready made excuse for next season's title challenge failure. We all get what we want in this scenario.
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Liverpool double their debt
- Thread starter davek
- Start date
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Exactly. And let's face it, most of the Kopites would be delighted with that turn of events as it'd give them their ready made excuse for next season's title challenge failure. We all get what we want in this scenario.
Nebbiolo
Valuation: £108 million
Lawrenson fears Liverpool decline
Gillett and Hicks have become unpopular with many fans at Anfield
Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson fears the club could be left behind by their rivals as a result of the financial situation at Anfield.
The club's owners lost £42.6m last year and he is worried that could affect their ability to buy new players.
"One or two of the top clubs are already doing the business, and buying players," Lawrenson told BBC Sport.
"If Liverpool have to wait they're already going to be behind the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea."
Lawrenson added it would be a "great blow" to the Anfield side if they started next season with a weaker squad than this year "because that isn't going to win the Premier League".
The loss was mainly caused by the £36m of interest payments that Kop Football Holdings - the company set up by American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks to buy and run the club - had to make to service the debt it took on when buying the club in March 2007.
Accounts for the year showed the club itself made a profit of £10.2m with a record turnover of £160m.
But auditors KPMG LLP warned that the need to refinance loans of £350m by 24 July "may cast significant doubt on the group's and parent company's ability to continue as a going concern".
It is an opportunity though. Let's get rid of these American no-marks and get on with life
Rogan Taylor, Share Liverpool FC
Liverpool have already seen long-term target Gareth Barry sign for Manchester City for £12m and there are concerns that the financial situation could lead to them missing out on other high-profile targets.
"If Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester City are after the same players as Liverpool it's going to be extremely difficult," said Lawrenson.
"We're already hearing that Chelsea have a new manager and Abramovich might bankroll Ancelotti with money to spend, Manchester United will be buying players, Arsenal will also be in the market and Man City will be busier than anyone.
"The great problem is that it looks at the moment as if Liverpool are going to have to sell quite a few players just to get the two or three very high profile match-winners in."
Xabi Alonso - who played a significant role in the side last season - has already been touted as a target for both Real Madrid and Manchester City, whilst Javier Mascherano is reportedly on Barcelona's wish list.
Alonso has been linked with a move away from the club
Liverpool finished second in the Premier League this season with 86 points, their best total since winning the title in 1988, and a 10-point improvement on the 2007-08 season.
"As the Premier League runners-up, they have Champions League football to offer to potential targets, and all the history and passion that goes with the badge remains a strong draw," says BBC sports news correspondent Gordon Farquhar.
"There's also a healthy revenue stream and (manager) Rafael Benitez surely wouldn't be staying if he thought there was no money to spend.
"However, there must be a feeling that until the re-financing issue is resolved, the directors aren't going to want to go hell for leather at the transfer market with cash falling out of their pockets."
Prior to the takeover by Hicks and Gillett, Liverpool operated with a much smaller level of debt.
But in borrowing money to finance their purchase the American duo considerably increased the sums owed - roughly £250m themselves and £100m attached to the club - at a time which coincided with a seismic downturn in global financial conditions.
"The club are separate to a degree from the biggest part of the risk, but of course, they're still linked," says Farquhar.
606: DEBATE
Debt is never a decent thing really, but unless I'm missing something but won't this bring forward the inevitable departure of Hicks and Gillett as they will be forced to look for new investment?
kingsean67
"The club's directors say they're confident they will be able to either re-negotiate the deadline, or re-finance by 24 July, and privately may well think the auditors have gone a bit over the top."
Hicks and Gillett have been scouring the globe to find investors for the club but Rogan Taylor, creator of Share Liverpool FC, a group aimed at recruiting fans to purchase the club, believes the only way Liverpool can move forward is if they are taken over by fresh investors.
"There's no way anybody is going to lend the Americans that kind of money when the club is in such deep debt," Taylor told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I expect in various parts of the world, people are looking quite closely at the situation and I wouldn't be surprised if there's some marked changes.
"Share Liverpool FC are keen to be involved and we can probably raise between £25m and £45m, so we need to come in with a major partner.
"It is an opportunity though. Let's get rid of these American no-marks and get on with life."
Hicks and Gillett have become increasingly unpopular among Reds fans since they took the club over in March last year, drawing criticism for their treatment of Benitez and their financial management of the club.
Plans for a proposed new 60,000-seat stadium have undergone two re-designs already.
In their accounts, Hicks and Gillett say they are "committed to building a new stadium and actively seeking funding to complete the project".
But they admit that "the opening of the new stadium will be delayed until 2012".
Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson fears the club could be left behind by their rivals as a result of the financial situation at Anfield.
The club's owners lost £42.6m last year and he is worried that could affect their ability to buy new players.
"One or two of the top clubs are already doing the business, and buying players," Lawrenson told BBC Sport.
"If Liverpool have to wait they're already going to be behind the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea."
Lawrenson added it would be a "great blow" to the Anfield side if they started next season with a weaker squad than this year "because that isn't going to win the Premier League".
The loss was mainly caused by the £36m of interest payments that Kop Football Holdings - the company set up by American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks to buy and run the club - had to make to service the debt it took on when buying the club in March 2007.
Accounts for the year showed the club itself made a profit of £10.2m with a record turnover of £160m.
But auditors KPMG LLP warned that the need to refinance loans of £350m by 24 July "may cast significant doubt on the group's and parent company's ability to continue as a going concern".
Rogan Taylor, Share Liverpool FC
Liverpool have already seen long-term target Gareth Barry sign for Manchester City for £12m and there are concerns that the financial situation could lead to them missing out on other high-profile targets.
"If Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester City are after the same players as Liverpool it's going to be extremely difficult," said Lawrenson.
"We're already hearing that Chelsea have a new manager and Abramovich might bankroll Ancelotti with money to spend, Manchester United will be buying players, Arsenal will also be in the market and Man City will be busier than anyone.
"The great problem is that it looks at the moment as if Liverpool are going to have to sell quite a few players just to get the two or three very high profile match-winners in."
Xabi Alonso - who played a significant role in the side last season - has already been touted as a target for both Real Madrid and Manchester City, whilst Javier Mascherano is reportedly on Barcelona's wish list.
Liverpool finished second in the Premier League this season with 86 points, their best total since winning the title in 1988, and a 10-point improvement on the 2007-08 season.
"As the Premier League runners-up, they have Champions League football to offer to potential targets, and all the history and passion that goes with the badge remains a strong draw," says BBC sports news correspondent Gordon Farquhar.
"There's also a healthy revenue stream and (manager) Rafael Benitez surely wouldn't be staying if he thought there was no money to spend.
"However, there must be a feeling that until the re-financing issue is resolved, the directors aren't going to want to go hell for leather at the transfer market with cash falling out of their pockets."
Prior to the takeover by Hicks and Gillett, Liverpool operated with a much smaller level of debt.
But in borrowing money to finance their purchase the American duo considerably increased the sums owed - roughly £250m themselves and £100m attached to the club - at a time which coincided with a seismic downturn in global financial conditions.
"The club are separate to a degree from the biggest part of the risk, but of course, they're still linked," says Farquhar.
Debt is never a decent thing really, but unless I'm missing something but won't this bring forward the inevitable departure of Hicks and Gillett as they will be forced to look for new investment?
kingsean67
"The club's directors say they're confident they will be able to either re-negotiate the deadline, or re-finance by 24 July, and privately may well think the auditors have gone a bit over the top."
Hicks and Gillett have been scouring the globe to find investors for the club but Rogan Taylor, creator of Share Liverpool FC, a group aimed at recruiting fans to purchase the club, believes the only way Liverpool can move forward is if they are taken over by fresh investors.
"There's no way anybody is going to lend the Americans that kind of money when the club is in such deep debt," Taylor told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I expect in various parts of the world, people are looking quite closely at the situation and I wouldn't be surprised if there's some marked changes.
"Share Liverpool FC are keen to be involved and we can probably raise between £25m and £45m, so we need to come in with a major partner.
"It is an opportunity though. Let's get rid of these American no-marks and get on with life."
Hicks and Gillett have become increasingly unpopular among Reds fans since they took the club over in March last year, drawing criticism for their treatment of Benitez and their financial management of the club.
Plans for a proposed new 60,000-seat stadium have undergone two re-designs already.
In their accounts, Hicks and Gillett say they are "committed to building a new stadium and actively seeking funding to complete the project".
But they admit that "the opening of the new stadium will be delayed until 2012".
davek
Player Valuation: £150m
You really have to laugh at Rogan Taylor. Complete fraud of a man. The last 18 months he's been ridiculing premier league clubs as 'prostitutes' waiting for their next client re takeovers, and talkng up a fan buyout as the solution; now he's saying his organisation (Share Liverpool - £5k per share, and thus attracting yer typical supporter!) is willing to join as bit part players in a corporate buyout of Liverpool from "The Yanks".
The same feller got caught out last summer tring to profiteer from an interview about H'boro.
What was that term he used? No mark?
The same feller got caught out last summer tring to profiteer from an interview about H'boro.
What was that term he used? No mark?
I hope all those who say Blue Bill is dithering are taking note of what's going on across the park. It all just goes to prove that - £ for £ - we are the best side in England
The Esk
Player Valuation: £70m
You really have to laugh at Rogan Taylor. Complete fraud of a man. The last 18 months he's been ridiculing premier league clubs as 'prostitutes' waiting for their next client re takeovers, and talkng up a fan buyout as the solution; now he's saying his organisation (Share Liverpool - £5k per share, and thus attracting yer typical supporter!) is willing to join as bit part players in a corporate buyout of Liverpool from "The Yanks".
The same feller got caught out last summer tring to profiteer from an interview about H'boro.
What was that term he used? No mark?
Hello Davek
I am sure none of you would want to see Liverpool in Administration - please remember I'm very happy to have you as a shareholder in my organisation.
Hello Davek
I am sure none of you would want to see Liverpool in Administration - please remember I'm very happy to have you as a shareholder in my organisation.
Oooohh.. Talk about "watch this space..."
Sorry Doc - I've got a fiver, but I'm a Yank. Filthy lucre and all that.
The End is near, lets rejoice.
davek
Player Valuation: £150m
Hello Davek
I am sure none of you would want to see Liverpool in Administration
Err...........
- please remember I'm very happy to have you as a shareholder in my organisation.
...from my cold dead hands you'd get that money, as another lunatic once said.
Steve Morgan is in the Prem as well, I bet hes gonna love going to Analfield next season, muahahahahahaha.
bluebloodinmyveins
Player Valuation: £60m
We can only hope in the short time that they need to sell some star names to balance the books. Obviously in the long term they will be fine, because someone will always come along to bail them out.
Rook
Player Valuation: £80m
What Liverpoo fans don't realize is that Hicks-Gillette have been good owners. Over the past few years they've given Benetez more money to spend than any team in the prem. They have only sold part time players like Bellamy and Pennant (often at a profit) and were 100% correct in telling Benetez to F off when Rafael threw his toys out of the pram the Xabi-Barry bust up. They would have been battling Arse for 4th if Xabi left plus Barry is worth 12M now compared to Xabi who's worth 20-25M now.
If Dubai would have bought them, they said the'd be running the team as an investment only and they'd be sellers over the summer.
If Dubai would have bought them, they said the'd be running the team as an investment only and they'd be sellers over the summer.
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