Sport Liverpool Football Club

[Yobo Ahoy]

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2259737,00.html

What are your thoughts on this? I know it's probably just the local knuckle-draggers but I think spitting and throwing beer over someone is taking it a bit far.

To be honest I wonder if Liverpool supporters would have kept the same stance if the stupid one (can't remember if it's Hicks or Gillett) hadn't mentioned the Klinsmann business - surely they wouldn't have accepted a season like this otherwise? I read a relatively interesting article a few weeks ago about how it seems like Benitez is more concerned about his reputation above anything else - hence the emphasis on European football - and I'd have to say it does make sense.

[Kelthink]

Stupid for both parties, to be honest. What Hicks Jr was doing was like an Evertonian going into the bar with a whole kit on - it's just daft. I certainly don't condone spitting and throwing beer over the guy but it was bound to happen. Lucky he didn't get beaten up a bit.

[ras el hanout]

It's pretty sad really. It's just been whipped up by the media, I don't think it's anything to do with Klinnsman, now there are a lot of people going around like they know a lot about how the club should be financed when they obviously don't understand it at all.

Stupid for both parties, to be honest. What Hicks Jr was doing was like an Evertonian going into the bar with a whole kit on - it's just daft. I certainly don't condone spitting and throwing beer over the guy but it was bound to happen. Lucky he didn't get beaten up a bit.

Why was it daft? What has Hicks Jr done wrong exactly?

[dogsout]

I'm not convinced our season would have gone this way had this whole sorry affair not been played out in public like this. I've read an interview Rafa did recently where he admitted to finding it harder to influence Premier League games tactically than European ones. I think that explains it better than any perceived arrogance on his part. The game is a lot quicker over here and players don't have as much time to think about what they're doing, it's more instinctive. It looks like he's going to minimize his rotating and try a different approach. I'm interested to see the result because we looked well jaded on Saturday.

As for what happened in the Sandon: it's obviously disappointing but he was pretty naive to go in there and expect another outcome. The animosity the supporters feel towards his father isn't going to go away just because Rafa has said they're friends again. Not that I'm offering that as an excuse because doing what they did clearly isn't on.

[Kelthink]

Family ties, that's about it.

[Chewylegs]

So, good to see everyone is talking about how phenomenal Torres is then. 21 goals in 31 games. The first Liverpool striker to score more than 20 goals in a season since Owen five years ago. Pretty remarkable for his first season!

He will be the best striker in the world in a couple of years i reckon.

[ckny]

Not playing in that Liverpool side he wont be.

And I found it pretty funny to hear a chant of 'Yanks Out' at Anfield on Tuesday. That must really rally the players, reminding them of how shit they've been and how turbulent the football club is.

[dogsout]

Not playing in that Liverpool side he wont be.

It doesn't seem to have harmed him so far.

[Guest]

It seems we are edging closer and closer to new ownership. Whether it be part or full ownership on DIC's part, I've made it clear in here that I welcome the idea. I'm expecting the story to regain its momentum soon. I can't wait for this mess to end really.

Sources?

[Graham S]

Momo giving a ridiculous penalty playing for Juve. I don't know what he was thinking about!

Elsewhere, the biggest story of the weekend came at the Stadio Granillo, where Juventus lost 2-1 to Reggina after being denied two clear penalties and having a questionable one awarded against them. The club were so incensed they released an open letter to the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Referees' Association (AIA) criticising referee Paolo Dondarini - who had been officiating his first Juventus match since being accused but cleared during the Calciopoli trials - and calling on the FIGC to intervene and "guarantee the regularity of this campaign" following the string of bad decisions that have gone against them this season.

"Some decisions by the referees are confirming the doubts raised by more than a few people - that there is not a relaxed and adequate approach towards Juventus considering the serious and professional way the club and team are behaving," read the letter, which was signed by club president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli and general manager Jean-Claude Blanc. "What is certain is that Juventus cannot keep paying for something they have already paid an extremely severe price. The club is lifting itself back up from that thanks to the passion of its fans, who legitimately ask for respect."

Maybe in the days of calcipoli that would have been a questionable penalty, as Juventus players were probably allowed to do spinning bird kicks in the penalty area without sanction...

[Commander Jameson]

Times reporting that Statler & Waldorf have granted DIC permission to look at the books in preparation for a takeover bid next month. How accurate that is? Who knows, but hopefully this is the start of the end.

[dogsout]

It seems we are edging closer and closer to new ownership. Whether it be part or full ownership on DIC's part, I've made it clear in here that I welcome the idea. I'm expecting the story to regain its momentum soon. I can't wait for this mess to end really.

Sources?

I've said in here a few times before that I have a couple of (loose) contacts at the club, so I am privy to a bit of information now and then (very rarely). It's a case of knowing someone who knows someone really.

[Guest]

Maybe in the days of calcipoli that would have been a questionable penalty, as Juventus players were probably allowed to do spinning bird kicks in the penalty area without sanction...

So a foul for dangerous play is a direct free kick right? It's only something like obstruction that is indirect (I bet I'll be wrong on both counts here ). Where's the FA.com!

[dogsout]

So a foul for dangerous play is a direct free kick right? It's only something like obstruction that is indirect (I bet I'll be wrong on both counts here ). Where's the FA.com!

Dangerous play should result in an indirect freekick if no contact has been made. Unfortunately for Momo it seems as though he kicked the bloke in the head, so Juve haven't a leg to stand on.

[Guest]

Dangerous play should result in an indirect freekick if no contact has been made. Unfortunately for Momo it seems as though he kicked the bloke in the head, so Juve haven't a leg to stand on.

Ah right, it looked like he missed to me. I saw it but I didn't realise he Somersault Kicked him properly. He'll be learning that Sonic Boom next.

[dogsout]

I could be wrong on that score. I have only seen the video that was posted in here and it's not great quality so it's hard to tell, although it does look as though if contact was made it was minimal. A couple of match reports I read suggested he did actually make contact, though. I don't know about all that, I just think it was a great Djimi Traore impression. Like his legs have minds of their own and the rest of him is just being taken along for the ride.

[Guest]

He never was a man blessed with luck. Remember the eye thing?

Oh and...

[Dandy_Sephy]

Blimey. Not bad considering he just swung at it

[Kelthink]

Guyz, he's a Juve player now. Not our problem

[DeNeo]

The reserves are playing against Man U in Warrington tonight - Agger, Alonso and Kewell are all in the starting line up, Skrtel is on the bench and will be given 45 mins apparently.

[dogsout]

Sky Sports News are reporting that Hicks has issued a denial to today's reports.

[Guest]

Blimey. Not bad considering he just swung at it

Poor technique though, leaned right back.

[V3zna]

The reserves are playing against Man U in Warrington tonight - Agger, Alonso and Kewell are all in the starting line up, Skrtel is on the bench and will be given 45 mins apparently.

Definitely going to watch this on Liverpool FC Tv. Will be interesting to see if Agger and Skrtel get any time together on the pitch.

[ckny]

Gary Neville will be getting some minutes tonight. Go easy on him!

[DeNeo]

Definitely going to watch this on Liverpool FC Tv. Will be interesting to see if Agger and Skrtel get any time together on the pitch.

Looks like a no - Agger's only playing 45 mins too.

Will be going to it - first time I've been able to this season and we get 4 first teamers

[DeNeo]

Gary Neville will be getting some minutes tonight. Go easy on him!

[V3zna]

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DIC 'close in' on George Gillett's 50% stake in Liverpool

Feb 26 2008 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

George Gillett in the directors box - Picture: Colin Lane

DUBAI International Capital may own at least half of Liverpool Football Club within the next three weeks.

After months of negotiations George Gillett has reportedly indicated a willingness to sell his 50% stake in the club and a fee is believed to have been agreed.

A specialist team of bankers and solicitors have been put in place by the investment arm of the Dubai government as it awaits permission to study the club's books.

That permission is expected to be granted in the next couple of days and should everything be found to be in order, DIC could complete the deal with Gillett, who is ready to relinquish his stake having had a massive fall-out with Reds co-owner Tom Hicks.

The relationship between the two Americans has reached an all-time low and Gillett believes it is now beyond repair.

Hicks, though, is not prepared to give up his stake in Liverpool and DIC are prepared to enter into shared ownership with the Texan, in the short term at least.

The Texan released the following statement this afternoon, "Reports in the UK media that I am about to sell my stake in the Liverpool Football Club, or to invite DIC to examine the Club's books in preparation for such a sale - like other such reports planted in the UK press in recent weeks by parties with their own self-interested agenda - are absolutely and categorically false.

"The reality is that I am personally, professionally and financially committed to the Club and its supporters and that I will continue to honor that commitment to the best of my ability now and in the future."

Hicks has expressed a desire to retain control of the club but DIC are not interested in being a silent partner and want to start making decisions regarding the club's future as and when they complete the proposed deal with Gillett.

Hicks had tried to secure the funding to buy Gillett but with the credit crunch biting hard has been unable to do so and is now resigned to the fact he is likely to have a new partner shortly.

DIC are also looking to buy part of Hicks' stake as they look to secure a majority shareholding in the club, which they tried to buy outright last year.

Despite losing out to the Americans in February 2007, their interest has never faded and they have now successfully negotiated themselves a position which could see them take part-ownership by mid-March.

Should that happen, it would, in all likelihood, be greeted with enthusiasm by Liverpool's fans after a series of protests against Hicks and Gillett.

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[V3zna]

Nice win tonight. Plessis stole the show for me, classy player. Nemeth looks like a fine prospect and there's no doubt in my mind (still) that someday Insua will be our first choice left back. Agger didn't seem to have any problems and Skrtel is far, far too good to play at this level again. Amazing save from a Spearing volley from the Utd keeper, Heaton, has to get a mention.

[dogsout]

Kewell, though. I know he scored but fucking hell...

[Commander Jameson]

I keep hearing good things about Insua, but he never seems to be near the first team at all, even allowing for Riise's poor performances and Aurelio's poor injuries. Anyone know why he isn't getting any first team action?