Liverpool owner vows to keep key players and make new signings in January
John Henry, co-owner of Liverpool, has said he does not intend to let any of the club's key players go during the January transfer window.
New England Sports Ventures (NESV), a sports investment company founded by Henry and Tom Werner, took over the Merseyside club from former owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks on 6 October.
Goalkeeper Pepe Reina and striker Fernando Torres, two of manager Roy Hodgson's key players, have been rumoured to be leaving Anfield in the next transfer window, but Henry said he will not let the Spanish duo go.
"I can reassure our supporters that we have no intention of allowing the team to be weakened going forward," Henry told Liverpool's official website. "We intend to build on the strength of the current squad, not undermine it. Stories about our top players
leaving are destructive and unwarranted but we realise this kind of speculation is also common."
Henry, whose company was founded shortly before its takeover of American baseball franchise the Boston Red Sox in 2001, also played down speculation over prospective additions to the Liverpool squad.
"We have recently read stories about our intentions for the forthcoming January transfer window and have a sense of humour about this type of inevitable speculation. As everyone knows we are new to English football, but not to sport, and we are studying
all options."
Hodgson's wish to sign players granted
Nonetheless, the American, on whose watch the Red Sox won their first World Series title in 86 years in 2004, confirmed Hodgson's stated intention to sign new players in January.
"Our clear focus from day one of our ownership has been – and will be – to improve the club and focus on what it will take to put Liverpool FC consistently in a position to challenge for trophies."
Tags: