THE LIVERPOOL hierarchy have closed ranks on the futures of Fernando Torres and Jose Reina, with John W Henry, the club’s principal owner, insisting the squad will be enhanced and Roy Hodgson claiming the Spain internationals will not “insult fans” by agitating for transfers in January.
Hodgson conceded he was “not privy to” the contracts of Reina and Torres, after it emerged they were both granted release clauses in their latest deals amid concerns over the direction of the club under the former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. “I don’t know what is written in their contracts,” the manager said.
Liverpool’s lowly league position and an acceptance there will be no quick fix to the club’s problems under New England Sports Ventures has also raised concerns over the players’ futures. Hodgson, however, said Reina and Torres accept they have a responsibility to repair Liverpool’s fortunes and that the only major transfers in January will, circumstances permitting, be to the club rather than from it.
“The takeover has provided the stability, I believe, to remove any fears over the positions of the likes of Torres and Reina,” the Liverpool manager said.
“I’m not concerned about it at all. There is no way the club is interested in selling those players or will be looking to sell them at any time.
“I can tell you Torres and Reina are training very well, and if they are unhappy and if they are wanting to get away they are making a damn good job of disguising it, because in training every day and in the matches their commitment seems to me to be as strong as ever.
“They are great favourites with the Liverpool fans and I can’t imagine for one minute they would insult Liverpool fans in any way by suggesting ‘we are unhappy, and we are only here for the good times’.”
Henry, NESV’s principal owner, issued a statement yesterday in response to the uncertainty over the Spanish pair and to reject claims Liverpool have no money to spend in January. “As everyone knows we are new to English football, but not to sport, and we are studying all options,” it read.
“Opportunities and value will drive spending in January and in the future. We intend to build on the strength of the current squad, not undermine it. And I can reassure our supporters that we have no intention of allowing the team to be weakened going forward.”
Hodgson admitted he has not been given a specific budget for the next transfer window and that he expects NESV to be “very active” in the running of the club.
He explained: “I envisage going to the board with a list of players we want, and I think they’ll want answers to their questions, such as what is the resale value, what is the salary value, what is the long-term value to the club etc. I have no problems with that.
“Even at Fulham Mohamed Al Fayed took a very active role. He never suggested who we should buy. What he normally did was allow us to buy them and then criticise us for them afterwards!”
The Liverpool manager has explained to NESV the difficulties of shopping in the January transfer window and, amid the optimism surrounding their recent €346 million takeover, is wary of spending frivolously. “We all know January is often a market for clubs trying to move on players they don’t want,” Hodgson said. “I don’t want to be taking people’s leftovers. We’ve got those types of players ourselves. If we are going to improve we need better.”
But, while reiterating there will be no Manchester City or Chelsea-style investment at Anfield, Hodgson confirmed there are funds available in January. He added: “They have not quantified it and made it that simple. That is the Sugar Daddy type of ownership, where the new owner comes in from abroad and throws money around.
“That’s not the way we intend to do it. We intend to do it on a much more strategic basis. I know they will back this club. I know they will invest in this club. I know they will help us bring in better players but they will want to make certain it is done right.”
Guardian Service
