Liverpool 'in investment talks with US group'

Liverpool have received a £118.5m investment bid from private equity firm Rhone Group, according to reports.

American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are obliged to reduce the club's £237m debt with Royal Bank of Scotland by £100m by this summer.

The deal would make the New York-based group the largest shareholder with 40%, Hicks and Gillett each falling to 30%.

The Press Association report added that the bid, tabled on Saturday, has yet to be discussed at board level.

If a bid were to materialise it would be the first positive result of Anfield chief executive Christian Purslow's search for new investors ahead of the bank deadline.

Money needs to go to paying debt and the stadium before it goes to the manager

Aside from slashing the club's debt in half, the group's funds would also improve the club's credit-worthiness, which in turn would make Liverpool more attractive for further outside investment.

Hicks and Gillett took control of Liverpool in February 2007, each taking a 50% stake.

However, their reign has proven unpopular with Reds fans, with the debt burden they have placed on the club and the delayed construction of the proposed new stadium at Stanley Park coming in for particular criticism.

Founded in 1997, the Rhone Group is owned and managed by financiers Robert Agostinelli and Steven Langman.

The company describes itself as "one of the world's leading mid-market private equity firms", and has its headquarters in New York with other offices in London and Paris.

WE'RE GETTING ANOTHER 2 MORE CLOWNS

This post has been edited by RyanHo: Mar 15 2010, 01:49 AM

Twice handball. 2 penalty challenges.

---

Added on March 16, 2010, 4:28 amTorres. Gerrard. Maxi. Wtf.

This post has been edited by RyanHo: Mar 16 2010, 04:28 AM

Babel. Wtf. This is the liverpool i had been follow for 11years.

---

Added on March 16, 2010, 4:34 amWtf aquilani. Wad liverpool is this wei?

This post has been edited by RyanHo: Mar 16 2010, 04:34 AM

Istanbul... History repeat

Gerrard - aquilani partnership?

Torres. Fernando.

Aquilani did a great control to midfield and torres. 1 touch. Magnet passing. He's a talented player.

babel as well

if not? I rather play 2 dm now than 2 strikers. I'm sure lucas will boost himselves up after aquilani proven.

Lucas got a penalty for liv. How good is lucas today.

wth to torres. He fully buffed with determination.

Fernando torres.

Torres torres liverpool no.9

Am i the only one watching? Lol so quiet.

I realised all our goals scored at 9, 49, 89mins. And 9 is our lucky number. Haha.

---

Added on March 19, 2010, 5:59 amhe's desperate for goals for than everyone in the game. Most surprisingly, lucas contributed the 1st goal. LOL. overall, he's ok.

This post has been edited by RyanHo: Mar 19 2010, 05:59 AM

Benitez hails Torres after double

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez praised the "fantastic job" of Fernando Torres after the striker scored twice in the 3-0 victory over Lille.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg of their Europa League last 16 tie, captain Steven Gerrard's ninth-minute penalty drew the Reds level on aggregate and then Fernando Torres' 16th and 17th goals of the season - and his first in Europe since last April - put his side into the last eight.

Benitez said his star striker was not yet 100% fit but after four goals in his last two matches - he scored twice in Monday's 4-1 Barclays Premier League victory over Portsmouth - he is approaching it.

"Torres was working very hard and I am really pleased because he did a fantastic job," said the Spaniard.

"Match fitness is something you can only get by playing games. I'd like to say he's 50% [fit] but he is close, it is a question of playing games.

"But I still believe he can improve. You can see there is a big difference when he plays well and it is the same with Gerrard too.

"It helps the rest of the team to play better."

Benitez was happy with the display after they restricted a potentially dangerous Lille side to very few chances.

"It was a really good performance. We could see the players working really hard together and it was a good night," he added.

"It was difficult because Lille are a good team, but it was a fantastic atmosphere tonight and everybody is happy now.

"The early goal was important because we knew we had to push forward from the beginning - and that goal gave us more time and confidence.

"At 2-0 they were still dangerous so we needed the third goal just in case and, when it went in, it was a bit of relief."

Benitez woke this morning to stories about winger Albert Riera criticising his management technique and saying Liverpool were a sinking ship.

The Reds boss' response was to suspend the Spain international until Monday, when he will report back to the club's Melwood training ground to discover if he will be punished further but a fine is the very least he can expect.

"The timing was not the best for the team and we will deal with this internally," was all Benitez would say on the matter."

Lille coach Rudi Garcia felt the scoreline flattered Liverpool.

"I think it was a bit harsh and not a fair reflection but we've nothing to be ashamed about with this defeat," said the Frenchman.

"One thing that slightly disappointed me about the performance was in attack where we didn't really have a cutting edge and we didn't pose enough of a threat.

"We were in with a shout right up until Liverpool scored their third goal, which I think came from a foul.

"We bossed the tie in the first leg but tonight Liverpool were better than us."



quote frm the bold, 50% match fitness score 4 in 2 games. LOL so 100% should be 8 in 2 games?

This post has been edited by RyanHo: Mar 19 2010, 04:44 PM

As an isolated striker as well.

f*** masherano

wasnt mu fans blamed referee after the games? LOL wadever. lost is certified.

lol ignore him.