Post by QPR Report on Jan 10, 2010 0:51:15 GMT
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Liverpool director Tom Hicks Junior in foul-mouthed email war with furious Reds fans
By Joe Bernstein
Last updated at 11:52 PM on 09th January 2010
Liverpool director Tom Hicks Junior has become involved in an extraordinary and abusive war of words with the influential fansâ group, Spirit of Shankly, as manager Rafa Benitez added to the clubâs financial uncertainty by admitting he is unlikely to spend significant sums this month despite selling as many as three players.
Hicks, whose father Tom bought Liverpool in 2007 with his business partner George Gillett, snapped after receiving repeated emails from the Spirit of Shankly group questioning the transfer budget handed to Benitez.
In emailed responses to organisation member Stephen Horner, Hicks Jnr first called him an âidiotâ and later wrote âGo to hell. Iâm sick of youâ. He also branded the Kop activist a âf*** faceâ.
The Texanâs attitude to life-long Liverpool fans will not help quell fears among supporters at a troubled time for the club.
Benitez, who is trying to sell ÂŁ12million Ryan Babel to raise additional funds after netting ÂŁ6m for Andrea Dossena (who has joined Napoli) and Andriy Voronin (Dinamo Moscow), admitted he may have to wait until the summer before he spends the money.
He is currently waiting on Atletico Madrid and Argentina star Maxi Rodriguez to sort out a loyalty payment in order for the player to move to Anfield in a ÂŁ1.5m move â and that may be his only signing this month.
Benitez said: âIâm not sure if I will spend more money in January. There arenât many top players you can sign at this time in a season for ÂŁ8m.â
There is disquiet on Merseyside that a failure to finish in the top four will see star striker Fernando Torres sold. So far, attempts by the owners to find ÂŁ120m in fresh investment have failed, despite overtures apparently made to the royal family in Saudi Arabia.
Benitez admitted it would take a colossal offer to prompt a discussion with the owners and managing director Christian Purslow on the departure of Torres if one came in from Manchester City. He said: âI have said before that I want to keep our best players.â
Liverpoolâs game today against Tottenham, whose opening day victory at White Hart Lane heralded the Redsâ poor season, is off, but they face Reading in an FA Cup third-round replay at Anfield on Wednesday.
Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1242013/Liverpool-director-Tom-Hicks-Junior-foul-mouthed-email-war-furious-Reds-fans.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0cALlrPRV
Liverpool director Tom Hicks Junior in foul-mouthed email war with furious Reds fans
By Joe Bernstein
Last updated at 11:52 PM on 09th January 2010
Liverpool director Tom Hicks Junior has become involved in an extraordinary and abusive war of words with the influential fansâ group, Spirit of Shankly, as manager Rafa Benitez added to the clubâs financial uncertainty by admitting he is unlikely to spend significant sums this month despite selling as many as three players.
Hicks, whose father Tom bought Liverpool in 2007 with his business partner George Gillett, snapped after receiving repeated emails from the Spirit of Shankly group questioning the transfer budget handed to Benitez.
In emailed responses to organisation member Stephen Horner, Hicks Jnr first called him an âidiotâ and later wrote âGo to hell. Iâm sick of youâ. He also branded the Kop activist a âf*** faceâ.
The Texanâs attitude to life-long Liverpool fans will not help quell fears among supporters at a troubled time for the club.
Benitez, who is trying to sell ÂŁ12million Ryan Babel to raise additional funds after netting ÂŁ6m for Andrea Dossena (who has joined Napoli) and Andriy Voronin (Dinamo Moscow), admitted he may have to wait until the summer before he spends the money.
He is currently waiting on Atletico Madrid and Argentina star Maxi Rodriguez to sort out a loyalty payment in order for the player to move to Anfield in a ÂŁ1.5m move â and that may be his only signing this month.
Benitez said: âIâm not sure if I will spend more money in January. There arenât many top players you can sign at this time in a season for ÂŁ8m.â
There is disquiet on Merseyside that a failure to finish in the top four will see star striker Fernando Torres sold. So far, attempts by the owners to find ÂŁ120m in fresh investment have failed, despite overtures apparently made to the royal family in Saudi Arabia.
Benitez admitted it would take a colossal offer to prompt a discussion with the owners and managing director Christian Purslow on the departure of Torres if one came in from Manchester City. He said: âI have said before that I want to keep our best players.â
Liverpoolâs game today against Tottenham, whose opening day victory at White Hart Lane heralded the Redsâ poor season, is off, but they face Reading in an FA Cup third-round replay at Anfield on Wednesday.
Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1242013/Liverpool-director-Tom-Hicks-Junior-foul-mouthed-email-war-furious-Reds-fans.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0cALlrPRV