Liverpool fans protest at Anfield
Liverpool has not had the best start to the season so far in the English Premier League. The Reds have managed just 6 points from 6 games. Their only win came against West Brom that was 2-1. Liverpool have suffered 2 big defeats
at the hands of Manchester city 3-0 and Manchester United 3-2. On Saturday Liverpool ended their 6th match in the league against Sunderland at 2-2. While there has been a total lack of fire and aggression in the team, many have accused the team
of lacking commitment; the fans are so disappointed that they staged a protest against the team’s performance.
The team boss Roy Hodgson who took over in the summer has tried to calm the situation and said that, he does understand the frustration of the fans.
Hodgson said "I don't think anybody at the club wants anything but a solution to the ownership problem,".
"The fans want to see the club moving forward and not sort of stuck with owners trying to sell the club."
Around 10,000 fans remained in Anfield after the match to urge co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks to sell.
The Royal Bank of Scotland, which is owed £237.4m of the club's £282m debts, is due to make a decision on recalling its loan in October.
The bank, which is 84% state-owned, could opt to take control of Kop Holdings, the company used by Hick and Gillett to purchase Liverpool in February 2007.
Managing director Christian Purslow has stated his determination to secure the club's future by finding new owners, saying that he wants a sale "more than anybody in the world."
Purslow, along with Chairman Martin Broughton and commercial director Ian Ayre, form a majority on the board and could approve a sale without the American owners' agreement.
Hicks and Gillett, who took control of the club in February 2007, are believed to want £600m for the club, while a figure of £420m would effectively see them leave without having made a profit.
However, if the club was to fall into bank ownership it could be available for about £280m, a figure that includes £40m of penalty fees.
Meanwhile, Hodgson is left trying to turn around a club that finished seventh in the Premier League last season.
They have won only one of six league matches this campaign and were knocked out of the Carling Cup at home by League Two Northampton Town last Wednesday.
Before the draw against Sunderland Hodgson stated that the protest would not help the club's stability, but has now suggested that the issue has united the staff and supporters on Merseyside.
"The fans here are very passionate and care an awful lot about this football club," he added.
"You cannot criticise them for showing their displeasure about the situation."
Captain Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher applauded the fans who had remained in the ground as they returned to the pitch to warm down after the match.
Liverpool is a team that has won 18 league titles, a record that was only equalled by Manchester United in the 2008-09 season. With 5 European cups the Reds remain a club with a rich history, but history does not count for much
if the present is not producing much.
Liverpool would have to dig deep and come up with something extraordinary if they are to win back their upset fans, and actually have a chance of remaining in the so called big 4 of the English Premier League.
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