EPL News: Roy Hodgson plans to end Mascherano conflict by Sunday - Part 2
Liverpool are currently undergoing a severe financial crisis and their American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are failing to invest in the club. The Merseyside is currently in debts of around 350 million pounds and therefore are desperately looking for another owner.
They were close to signing a deal with a Hong Kong based company named QSL, headed by Kenny Huang. The company is basically backed by billionaires and invests in sports. Kenny Huang owns the National Basketball League and National Baseball League in China along with stakes in NBA.
Martin Broughton, the chairman of Liverpool has been specially assigned by to observe and make the sale of the club possible. He has stated that it will take around 18 months to sell the club but under six months the club has attracted 2 major investors.
The first investors were an Arabian group but negotiations failed immediately as the club demanded too high a price. That was also one of the reasons why the negotiations fell apart later on. It so happened that QSL were willing to pay around 350 million pounds for the club, which is the amount equal to the club’s debts. On the other hand the American owners demanded 700 million pounds which was the price of the club two years back.
Around two seasons back the club had a brilliant campaign in which they finished 2nd in English Premier League and were able to score the highest without winning the title. Their arch rivals Manchester United took the glory back then.
After that there was a steady decrease in the club’s performance because of poor management decision along with injuries, bad luck and mediocre play. Hodgson has stated this season that he will concentrate on two things and that is the Europa League and EPL. He stated that his first choice will be a re-emergence in the Top 4 and then a title victory at Europa League.
Mascherano stated that he was not interested in the progress of the club or the promises made by the 62 year old manager. The manager has performed a brilliant job at Anfield as he has managed to sign in strong players at cheap prices along with persuading top stars in the club that were on the verge of departing to stay for another season and then choose their path according to the clubs performance.
That has resulted in the Reds skipper, Steven Gerrard staying at the club. Gerrard also helped with the signing of former Chelsea player, Joe Cole and it is expected that he will be the key to the Scouse’s revival this season.
He eventually also convinced the coveted Spanish striker Fernando Torres to stay at the club and therefore his legendary showdown will also be vital for the Reds survival. Hodgson also managed to sign a new prodigy in footbal,l Danny Wilson. He has also signed Christian Poulsen along with the Serbian star, Milan Jovanovic.
Hodgson told that the departure of Mascherano will indeed bring a difference in the club’s performance but he had a plan B and he is hopeing it will succeed. While in a press conference he stated, “the matter… will be sorted out one way or another”. He confirmed that it will happen before the team encounters West Bromwich Albion.
Hodgson informed, “I wouldn't want to say he has played his last game for Liverpool," Hodgson told reporters”.
On the transfer issue he also collaborated, “The negotiations are ongoing between the two clubs and if he had played here (against Trabzonspor) it might have prejudiced the transfer and I didn't wish to do that to the player”.
He optimistically added, “I am seriously hoping that in the next couple of days it will be sorted out one way or another, although I have no idea which way that will be”.
Hodgson concluded with, “Tomorrow night was out of the question but Sunday is very much a question because I think by then I should know one way or another whether he is going to play for Liverpool this season or Barcelona”.
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