LFC Fans Forum

[cameron]

ohh this saturday liverpool take on charlton, an easy victoy for livepool

[johnnywarren]

i dunno wtf is going on at anfield - rafa's rotation policy or what but we are very up and down at present and getting beaten by arsenal two weeks in a row doesn't help so we will have to really concentrate on the cl.

WORST DEFEATS AT ANFIELD
Liverpool 0-6 Sunderland, 19 April, 1930
Liverpool 1-6 Man City, 26 October, 1929
Liverpool 3-6 Aston Villa, 28 November, 1914
Liverpool 3-6 Arsenal , 9 January, 2007
Liverpool 0-5 Everton , 3 October, 1914

Julio Baptista notched four as Arsenal routed Liverpool to seal a Carling Cup semi-final clash with rivals Tottenham.

Jeremie Aliadiere ran on to Kolo Toure's pass to score the first, before Robbie Fowler flicked in to level.

But a Baptista free-kick and tap-in either side of Alex Song Billong's smart finish made it 4-1 at half-time.

Two more from Baptista, the first from 20 yards, sealed it after he had missed a penalty, though Steven Gerrard and Sami Hyypia notched late consolations.


Interview: Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez
Interview: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger

It was the first time in nearly 77 years that Liverpool had conceded six goals at home and followed a remarkable contest, one that few would have predicted even despite the fact that, against expectations, Rafael Benitez opted to field a weakened starting XI.

Despite the Reds' weekend FA Cup exit, only Gerrard and Jerzy Dudek survived from the team that lost 3-1 to Arsenal on Saturday, and the selection proved key to the hosts' downfall, with Lee Peltier and Gabriel Paletta in particular exposed in defence.

The hosts' cause was not helped by the fourth-minute withdrawal of winger Mark Gonzalez, who sustained a serious shin injury in an innocuous challenge on Theo Walcott.

And, despite the early threat of Craig Bellamy, the writing was on the wall from the moment Aliadiere tapped home the opener, finishing at the second attempt after showing fine skill to pull down Toure's long pass.

Liverpool were level minutes later, Fowler clipping home his 31st League Cup goal behind his legs from Luis Garcia's cross-shot, but Arsenal's youthful pace and endeavour continued to cause the Reds all sorts of problems and the outcome was beyond doubt before half time.

Firstly, Baptista curled home a free-kick from 25 yards for only his second Arsenal goal, and then in injury time the Londoners scored two in quick succession to stun the hosts.

Song Billong made it 3-1 from close range after benefiting from a ricochet off Hyypia and then Aliadiere was controversially ruled onside before pulling back to Baptista, who slid into an empty net to cap a remarkable end to the half.

A resolute start to the second half from the hosts lasted just 10 minutes as Arsenal continued their rampant display, and the Gunners could even afford Dudek's penalty save from Baptista after Hyypia had clearly hauled down Aliadiere.

No sooner had the Anfield crowd found their voice again, than Aliadiere cut back to Baptista from the left and the Brazilian drilled into the corner from 20 yards to complete his hat-trick.

Gerrard interrupted Arsenal's goal-fest with a stunning volley from 20 yards from Paletta's knock-back, but a disastrous evening for the hosts got even worse on 70 minutes when Garcia became the second player to be stretchered off with a serious-looking injury.

Still the goals continued to roll in though, Hyypia further reducing the deficit with a near-post header before Liverpool's mini-revival was halted by Baptista's tap-in from another cross from the impressive Aliadiere.

There was still time for Hyypia to have an effort correctly ruled out for offside and Manuel Almunia to deny Jamie Carragher's drive from range as an extraordinary encounter continued into the latter stages.

But, despite the choruses of "You'll Never Walk Alone" from the home fans, it was the visiting support that were cheering at the end as Arsenal sealed their first League Cup win at Anfield in stunning fashion.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Liverpool: Dudek, Peltier, Hyypia, Paletta, Warnock (Alonso 58), Guthrie, Gerrard, Aurelio, Gonzalez (Luis Garcia 11), Fowler, Bellamy, Luis Garcia (Carragher 75).
Subs Not Used: Reina, Crouch.

Goals: Fowler 33, Gerrard 68, Hyypia 80.

Arsenal: Almunia, Hoyte, Toure, Djourou, Traore (Connolly 88), Walcott (Diaby 74), Fabregas, Song Billong, Denilson, Julio Baptista, Aliadiere.
Subs Not Used: Poom, Lansbury, Randall.

Booked: Song Billong.

Goals: Aliadiere 27, Julio Baptista 40, Song Billong 45, Julio Baptista 45, 60, 84.

Att: 42,614

Ref: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).

[Terrigal United]

IM A REDS FAN FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[johnnywarren]

heres a joke from my everton mate about the loss to arsenal the other day.

Michael Jackson has asked Rafa Benitez to be his new manager

So he can get spanked at home by 11 kids!

[johnnywarren]

Liverpool dented Chelsea's Premiership title challenge in impressive style.

Dirk Kuyt took advantage of Peter Crouch's touch to put the skids under injury-hit Chelsea after three minutes.

Jermaine Pennant's brilliant dipping volley effectively sealed the points for Liverpool after 17 minutes in boss Rafa Benitez's 100th league game.

Chelsea staged a minor recovery after the break, but Liverpool could have added a third as John Arne Riise struck the bar with a long-range drive.

The defeat leaves Chelsea six points behind Manchester United - who visit Arsenal on Sunday - and puts Liverpool only five points behind Jose Mourinho's troubled champions.

Chelsea were able to recall keeper Petr Cech after three months out with a serious skull fracture, but suffered a blow after it was revealed defender Ricardo Carvalho was out after being taken ill overnight.

John Terry was still sidelined with a back inury, and with Claude Makelele suspended, Liverpool's furious opening salvo was predictable.

And it reaped a reward after only three minutes when the makeshift central defensive partnership of Paulo Ferreira and Michael Essien was ruthlessly exposed.

Jamie Carragher's long ball was touched on by Crouch, and Kuyt eased his way past Ferreira to side-foot a composed finish past Cech.

And the Czech keeper demonstrated his value to Chelsea three minutes later with a brilliant block from Riise.

But Chelsea, a shambles from the start, did not survive for long and Pennant doubled Liverpool's lead in spectacular fashion.

Pennant, who has struggled to make an impact since his summer move from Birmingham City, took aim as the ball sat up perfectly and sent a stunning dipping volley beyond the outstretched arm of Cech.

Chelsea's day got worse after 20 minutes, when Arjen Robben - who had twisted his ankle in an earlier challenge - limped off to be replaced by Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Liverpool were comfortably in command throughout the rest of the half, and despite faint signs of a Chelsea recovery in the early stages of the second period, it was Benitez's side who looked more likely to add to their lead.

Crouch headed tamely at Cech when he should have done better, and he was slow to react when a Riise thunderbolt rattled back off the bar on the hour.

Despite Chelsea's struggles, it still took Mourinho until 17 minutes from time to introduce £30m misfit Andriy Shevchenko at the expense of the anonymous Mikel Jon Obi.

It was too late to make an impact and Liverpool took the points their performance richly deserved.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho:
"There were definitely mistakes with people not adapting to their positions.
"I was waiting for 15 or 20 minutes to go by with no goals conceded and the confidence arriving. But when the team is very fragile on the pitch and mentally not so self confident it is difficult.

"In the second half I think we played better but Liverpool defended well and were full of confidence. They knew they could be adventurous because our defensive line is fragile."


Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez:
"We have three more points and I'm really happy with the situation. We have Man United and Arsenal at home, we have confidence and we are playing well."
"I was confident when I saw my team sheet. I thought we did a very good job and deserved to win.

"We played well. I don't know if it was because they had problems but we played well."



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Riise, Pennant, Gerrard, Alonso, Aurelio, Crouch (Bellamy 85), Kuyt (Gonzalez 90).
Subs Not Used: Dudek, Hyypia, Fowler.

Goals: Kuyt 4, Pennant 18.

Chelsea: Cech, Geremi, Ferreira, Essien, Ashley Cole, Lampard, Ballack, Mikel (Shevchenko 73), Robben (Wright-Phillips 21), Drogba, Kalou.
Subs Not Used: Hilario, Diarra, Morais.

Booked: Ferreira.

Att: 44,245

Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).

[Dan]

More of the same please Rafa. Equalled the great mr Bill Shankly for the first hundred games......

[johnnywarren]

if only we didn't drop stupid points in the first part ofseason we would be a challenge to man u

[Andy]

hello said:

IM A REDS FAN FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Didn't you say in another thread Liverpool were you're second favourite team?

[johnnywarren]

Here he comes .... the return of the most famous groin in soccer!!

It's the news all Socceroos and Liverpool fans have been waiting for - Harry Kewell is back on the pitch.

The injury-riddled midfielder has returned to light training for the first time since participating in last year's World Cup finals in Germany.

Such is Kewell's eagerness to return to the Anfield team's line-up, he is hoping to be fully fit in three to four weeks time for Liverpool's crunch Champions League clash away to holders Barcelona on February 21 (February 22 AEDT).

"I hope that I'm about three or four weeks away from being fully fit," the gifted playmaker said.

"I'm under the supervision of the medical team here and the surgeons who operated on me, so once they're all happy with the running then I can start on ball work."

"Once that's going well it's up to the manager when he decides I'm ready."

An up and running, fully-fit Kewell is bound to please under-pressure manager Rafa Benitez, whose side trails league leaders Manchester United by 11 points and was ousted from the FA Cup and League Cup.

Kewell's menacing boot and defence-splitting crosses from the left flank will give Benitez added options as he tries to keep the Merseysiders' season afloat.

But both Benitez and defender Jamie Carragher say they deserve credit for their 2-0 win over injury-hit defending champions Chelsea at Anfield at the weekend.

They reckon too much had been made of Chelsea's fitness worries and not enough of their side's play.

"In Rafa's (Benitez's) first season I can remember us going into big games with Neil Mellor a lone striker. I don't remember too many people making excuses for us," Carragher said.

"When we were losing some games, without Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso, people didn't say we had players missing," Benitez added.

"The first season I was here we had players missing, but we said, 'No excuses, let's keep going'."

"We deserve some credit. Don't forget we had Xabi off the field for 10 minutes due to injury during Saturday's win. We must give credit to our players and not talk about the other team."

"I've said all season we have a better squad than before, a better team than before. Now when you see players like Jermaine Pennant playing really, really well and Fabio Aurelio also, you know you have a good team and that we can beat anyone," the Reds' Spanish boss insisted.

"We've got to just focus on winning as many games as we can and keep the pressure on the top two," Carragher added.

"The target now is to catch Chelsea. That's what Saturday's result has done for us. We've given ourselves a chance of doing that, and if we can push ourselves into second, then we can have a look where we are."

[johnnywarren]

LIVERPOOL are poised to snap up Dutch wonder-kid Jordy Brouwe, despite Ajax’s reservations that the 18-year-old is not yet ready for first team football.

Since comparing Liverpool’s reserves unfavourably to Arsenal’s after the back-to-back Cup exits, Rafael Benitez has swooped for a clutch of promising youngsters – Argentinian wing-back Sebastian Leto, Emiliano Insua and goalkeeper Daniele Padelli.


Ajax technical director Martin van Geel said: “At Ajax we talked about Jordy a lot, and that doubt stayed after Liverpool expressed their interest. We didn’t have the complete conviction that he was ready for it (Dutch Eredivisie).

“I say that without bitterness, because I wish Jordy all the success at Liverpool.”


The Reds have also been tracking Republic of Ireland youth international Jamie McCarthy, with the 16-year-old’s agent claiming the Hamilton Academicals starlet impressed Benitez during a recent Melwood trial.


McCarthy’s advisor, George Gray, said: “Rafa Benitez was very impressed by him. He told me that he regarded James’ technique as better than Steven Gerrard’s was at the same age.


“He made a major impression in a training game by unleashing a 25-yard rocket that flew past Jerzy Dudek. Wherever he goes, I can see James playing first team football very quickly.”

Reports, meanwhile, suggests the Reds are ready to offer new deals to Spanish duo Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia.

and yes liverpool did sign jordy

[Effin' and jeffin]

i hope this ends up coming true....

GIVEN that the DIC takeover goes ahead, Rafa will presumably be given a significant transfer war chest this summer.

Benitez and the board will need to bring in several players of the highest quality if we aspire to dominate domestic and European football once more.

These players are not unlikely to end up at Merseyside: Daniel Alves (central in Sevilla's bid for the La Liga crown), Phillipe Mexes (outstanding for AS Roma this term), Simao (one of Benitez' old favourites) and Fernando Torres (no comment needed, huge talent).....

You'll Never Walk Alone

[Dan]

DIC deal is dead as they tried to force the club into a decision within 12 hours (after hearing of the U.S. interest).
Now a 470m pound deal should go through next week with George Gillet and Tom Hicks at the helm.
Hicks is renowned for building amazing sporting stadia so its good that he is involved. 215m is put aside for it.
The deal is approx $20m more than the DIC offer.

[johnnywarren]

the young guns that rafa is buying will produce over the next few years.
at present he is building the ideal first squad but not at to fast of a rate. so some of these 19/20 year olds that he has bought over the last few years should start to see some first team action.

derby day this weekend - lets eat toffee!!!!

also the dic deal died and now the gilllette deal is a goer.
but least we wont be buying duds with the money. go you reds for cl title

[johnnywarren]

LIVERPOOL’S protracted signing of Javier Mascherano has dragged on for another day – as Momo Sissoko was ruled out of tomorrow’s Merseyside derby.

The Premier League have yet to ratify the transfer despite FIFA giving the special dispensation for Mascherano to sign on an 18-month loan from West Ham United.

And the Argentine midfielder may now not be given the green light to begin his Anfield career until after tomorrow’s showdown with Everton.

Liverpool submitted the player’s registration documents to the Premier League ahead of Wednesday’s transfer deadline but they cannot yet technically call the player their own.

Mascherano yesterday admitted he had made a mistake in moving to West Ham from Brazilian side Corinthians in the summer, but is determined to prove his worth in England while at Anfield.


“It’s very common that when a player doesn’t play he makes excuses, but I don’t want that,” said the 22-year-old.


“I am a principled person and accept the fault for what happened because it was me who took the decision.


“It wasn’t the best decision to accept to be transferred to West Ham, besides that what I am saying hurts, but I must accept that.


“I went through a very bad moment, but now Liverpool have appeared and I want to do my work as best as possible for showing that I still have the same ambitions as when I arrived in England.”


Alvaro Arbeloa was unveiled at Melwood yesterday after completing a £2.6million move from Deportivo La Coruna.


And Rafael Benitez would have no second thoughts over throwing the 24-year-old defender straight into the fray against Everton tomorrow.


“He is ready to play and, if need be, I’d have no hesitation in playing him against Everton,” said Benitez, who is nevertheless almost certain to continue with Steve Finnan at right-back.

“Alvaro can play right-back or in the centre. I have known about him since his days at the Real Madrid Academy. He’s a player with pace and a very good mentality.”

One person who won’t be considered for selection, however, is Sissoko.

The Malian international has been sidelined since November after dislocating his shoulder in the Carling Cup win at Birmingham City.

Sissoko had targeted the home Premiership clash with Everton for a comeback, but Benitez yesterday admitted the game had come a week too soon for the midfielder.

“Sissoko still needs more time,” said the Liverpool manager. “With an injury like this one, the surgeon has said it will take 12 weeks to recover and it is now at the 11-week mark.

“He is training and is fit, but the surgeon has said that it is better to wait for a week, just in case.”

Bolo Zenden made a successful return to action after injury when he played 45 minutes for the reserves in their goalless draw with Manchester United at Hyde.

Djibril Cisse, currently on loan at Marseille from Liverpool, was yesterday named in France’s squad to face Argentina in a friendly next week.


Cisse has not played for his country since breaking his leg in a World Cup warm-up game against China almost eight months ago.


Meanwhile, Liverpool’s youngsters will face Sheffield United in the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup after the Blades defeated their Middlesbrough counterparts 3-2 at Bramall Lane last night.

rafa is a smart man - at the start of the season alves was on the market for 12m and sevilla wanted more, but we couldn't afford him, but six months later has found someone who is going to cost a lot less and will do the job just as well.
even though alves is having a great year in primera league with sevilla and come end of season barca will probably pay 20mil for him anyway.

[johnnywarren]

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has warned his side to avoid being distracted by any talk of the title ahead of the derby against Everton.
The Reds are five points behind Chelsea, in second, and 11 behind top-flight leaders Manchester United.

"It is a long race," said Benitez. "But if you get close and people start talking about titles, that is when you make mistakes.

"We must only concentrate on the next three points."

Benitez believes the Merseysiders are more of a match for the top two this season and wants his players not to let their hearts rule their heads in the heated atmosphere of facing their local rivals.

Liverpool will be especially keen to beat Everton after they were beaten 3-0 in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

"As a manager you must try to be calm, to do the same things and to control the players," he said.

"Some of them, maybe the local ones, want to win in the first minute, but you need time and to have your brain working. You know better than me, I do not have to say which players!"

He added: "Two years ago we were not close to the top two. Last season we were a lot closer and now we are even closer.

"So we must keep winning to the end and see how close we get, that is what we are trying to do."

Everton boss David Moyes insists his side will be underdogs for the games but hopes his side can earn a shock win and raise their confidence as they challenge for a place in Europe.

"Liverpool are expected to beat us because of their spending and the players they have available, so it is a rarity when we win," he said.

"But I want to change that situation, I want us to win more games and get closer to Liverpool."

He added: "We will be doing everything we can to get close to Liverpool.

"But they are in a rich vein of form now, the form in fact that many people were expecting them to produce right from the start of the season when they were being tipped as championship contenders.

"We all said they were a good team, and now they are slipping into their best form.

"But we tend to do well against the better teams and we hope that happens this time.

"We are not kidding anyone, we know it will be tough. But we have beaten them once this season and want to make it twice.

"If we win it, it will make a big difference to our confidence. That would help us in the run-in to the end of the season."

[theboyroy]

As Johnneywarren said, if only they didn't drop stupid points. Well their at it again. Lets just face it the scalleis aren't good enough this year and have been a long way of the pace for the last, mmmm mmmmm 16 years I believe.

[dibo (pron. "DIB-OH")]

danthefan said:

DIC deal is dead as they tried to force the club into a decision within 12 hours (after hearing of the U.S. interest).
Now a 470m pound deal should go through next week with George Gillet and Tom Hicks at the helm.
Hicks is renowned for building amazing sporting stadia so its good that he is involved. 215m is put aside for it.
The deal is approx $20m more than the DIC offer.

deal completed. new owners squad briefing leaked to media:

Jose (Pepé) Reina
Netminder with an impressive 19 shutouts this regular season. Save average of .854 in last five outs. Replaces New Jerzy Dudek as first-choice goaltender after veteran's series of high-profile handling errors. Nicknamed after Pepé Le Pew, the cheese-eating surrender skunk.

James 'The Minister Of Defense' Carragher
Captain of defense and native 'Scouser'. 2963 minutes of field time with powerplay change-up stats of 5-6-3. Awesome displays in penalty zone versus aerial offense plays. Awesome displays at club Christmas parties. Distribution ranked only 245th in EPL. Note: communication may be difficult as James does not speak English.

Steve O'Finnan
Defensive cornerback/outside linebacker ranked six in division for forward offense running plays. Highly-rated change-up, groundspeed. 245 defensive tackle ratio. Proud Irishman: merchandising opportunities with millions of east coast Americans who are 1/64 from Cork. Vital cornerman, new shorts.

Sam Hyypia
Veteran centerblocker famed for aerial rebound ability, composureability, although lacks change-up, questions over groundplay v forwards with nimbleness quotient. Radical air with headbombs from special plays ensures a conversions per season tally average of six. Hails from Finlandland, a country in Europe that is part of the 'Axis Of Pleasantness'.

John-Arnold Riise
Cornerman who regularly features in goalshot of the month sweeps with a left peg rated in top five nationwide for sweetness. Rookie, sophomore seasons raised expectations of possible Hall of Famer status but recent semesters have seen the person of redly-challenged hair demoted to bullpen on occasion. 7-6-8.

Gerrard Steven
Team MVP, captain and midfielderman famed for power running, pass accuracy, assists. Has dressed as center, right wingerbacker (offensive and defensive) and even as secondary power forward. Can rush goal or sit back in the pocket. Career high came in Pro-Ball showdown against the Milan Tumblers in Istanbul (believed site of WMD).

Craig Bellamy
Controversial wide receiver/goal forward rated division's third most likely player to face red card takedown in grudge slams. Lightning fast in joggy work down winglines, although critics question net targeting infield. Has switched franchises several times in career amid rumors of all-star level jackassery.

Robert Bernard Fowler
Veteran strike attacker and all-time Liverpool Reds Hall of Famer. Once considered league MVP for shotzone rebounds and accuracy in the paint. Famously flagged on field for displaying his tight end to opponent Graeme Le Saux, and for calling into question The War On Drugs.

Xavi Alonso (ITA)
6-5-7, 12, 468, 0.43, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 98632548, 1, 1, 0 (?), 0, 1. 0.3.

Jermaine Pennant
Wide receiver/running forward has rushed for over 1,000 yards in Liverpool Reds rookie season. Crossfields delivery success rate well into point-seven-ohs, play action, sprinty, jigglebomb, DUI. 6.662. Off-field activities saw him given bum's rush from Steve Bruskowski's Birmingham Brums. Only soccerplayer on roster with a sensible sportsman's name.

Peter Crouch Jr
Power forward who could have potential if consortium moves into NBA. Noted for headbomb assists, ganglyhole, salmon leap, robotics. 0.673, runners batted in, three points. Traded several times early in career but has flourished under head coach Benitez at the Anfield Taco Bellodrome.

[Andy]

Xavi Alonso (ITA)
6-5-7, 12, 468, 0.43, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 98632548, 1, 1, 0 (?), 0, 1. 0.3.

What?

[dibo (pron. "DIB-OH")]

andyj said:

Xavi Alonso (ITA)
6-5-7, 12, 468, 0.43, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 98632548, 1, 1, 0 (?), 0, 1. 0.3.

What?

pisstaking. note also they got his name and nationality wrong? i think the whole thing's a satire?

[Rubbernose]

The Americans are coming

The great names of English football are being sold to US buyers, with Liverpool the latest. But why? And at what cost to the fans?

By Cole Moreton
Published: 11 February 2007

Julie is devastated. Her boyfriend Billy is dead, and she's pregnant with his child. As she grieves, her cousin offers comfort with a song: "Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart..."

You know the next line. It's from the showstopper in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Carousel, a blockbuster of a song soaked in Broadway sentimentality. And the words are also spelt out in gold across an imposing pair of iron gates in Liverpool. "You'll never walk alone" adorns the entrance to Anfield, home of one of the most distinguished clubs in English football. The song has been sung by fans in celebration of Liverpool's greatest moments - there have been many - and during the worst. Underneath those words on the Shankly Gates, named after the club's most respected manager, supporters tied scarves to mourn fellow fans who died in stadium disasters at Heysel and Hillsborough.

The American song was on the club crest behind George Gillett Jr and Tom Hicks, owners of American ice-hockey teams, when they sat in front of the cameras at Anfield last week to say they were buying the club. The way Mr Gillett said his son had played "goaltender" in a soccer team and Hicks talked of "Liverpool Reds" must have caused a cringe inside the man they were buying from, David Moores, who promised to find someone to protect the club's traditions. But they insisted they would do just that - and they were paying £220m. "I believe this is a great step forward for Liverpool, its shareholders and its fans," said Mr Moores, who will be life president.

The Liverpool deal is the most spectacular so far in an American invasion of English football that has also seen Malcolm Glazer buy Manchester United, Randy Lerner take over Aston Villa, and Arsenal consider an alliance with the sporting magnate Stan Kroenke. The Russian Roman Abramovich owns Chelsea, and West Ham has gone Icelandic, but Americans are now interested in every vulnerable club, including Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.

Why? What do they think they'll get out of it? The answer, of course, is money. And history is one key to their doing that. Like most English clubs, Liverpool FC has been pulling in fans for more than a century. "This track record of sustained popularity and high levels of interest" makes English clubs attractive to investors, according to the financial analysts Deloitte, which last week published a list of the richest sides in Europe. Premiership teams are the most profitable by far, making a combined£1.3bn last year - and that will rise, thanks to a new TV rights deal.

A revolt against Mr Glazer in Manchester led to a new club, FC United, which is working its way up the semi-professional leagues. But most fans seem pacified once the new owners make a few signings - like the three players Randy Lerner has bought to Villa Park at a cost of more than £30m.

Supporters love their clubs intensely, irrationally, and at great expense. Jamie, 10, lives within walking distance of Anfield. He sleeps under a Liverpool duvet that cost £30 and wears a full replica strip that was £50, but has only seen the team once. "My grandad took me a lot when I was a kid," says his father Dan, "but I can't do that for the lad."

Dan, a plasterer, won't say how much he earns, but the average wage in the terraced streets around Anfield is £304 a week. Unemployment here is at 40 per cent. It costs £45 for a father to take his son to a 90-minute game. The captain of Liverpool, Steven Gerrard, a 26-year-old from Huyton, earns a reported £100,000 a week. "Good luck to him," says Dan, envious but not angry. "Stevo's a local, like. One of us."

Ian St John, a star of the first great Liverpool side under Shankly in the Sixties, earned £40 a week. That was about the same as local Ford workers. Now the young millionaires at the richest clubs are profoundly dislocated from the communities they used to represent. But Liverpool is different. Just. When Gerrard lifted the European Cup in 2005, alongside him was the Bootle boy Jamie Carragher. Somehow the club still seemed able to represent a place and its people. That gives it what sports moguls dream of: a large following of intensely committed customers who express their love for the product (sorry, club) by spending money.

The club also has what rivals like Chelsea are trying to build from scratch: a global name. Liverpool was one of the world's great ports, sending millions of emigrants to America and beyond. "You'll Never Walk Alone" became a club anthem after local band Gerry and the Pacemakers had a hit with it in the Sixties, when the city was synonymous in the US with the Beatles. Asia and Latin America followed their success in the Seventies. Now each week 1,500 hours of Premiership action are broadcast to 200-plus countries.

Rafa Benitez, the Spanish manager of Liverpool, said: "This is a club which has a great history but it also has great potential, and we have to make improvements where they are needed." But he wasn't talking about the defence. "For example, how many club shops do we have around the world?"

All football clubs get their money from ticket sales, TV, merchandising and sponsorship. The big advantage English clubs have over foreign rivals for US money is that they own their grounds. Juventus, for example, one of the sexiest brands in Italian football, rents its stadium and relies on broadcasting rights for nearly 70 per cent of its income. That's not a solid investment.

The American model is to build a new stadium on the tightest possible budget, pack it with fans and other users and sell the name for a fortune. Tom Hicks allowed American Airlines to rename the home of his ice-hockey team, the Dallas Stars, for £100m. Anfield is old and always full, but part of the deal is a new stadium to hold 60,000 people. Mr Gillett won't rule out selling the name Anfield "if naming rights are worth one great player a year".

So what price the Cheesy Doritos Bowl, home of Liverpool Reds? Jamie and his dad would hate that. But whoever is teaching Mr Hicks and Mr Gillett about the English game will have told them what all the new investors know: what counts is to join the four or five richest clubs pulling away from the rest. The fans are docile, they'll keep coming whatever it costs. Just keep chucking them a few new players, and you'll never walk alone.

WHO OWNS THE REST? (FOR NOW)

Arsenal

Danny Fiszman, diamond merchant

Blackburn

Walker Trust, backers unknown

Bolton

Eddie Davies, thermostat maker, Isle of Man

Charlton

Richard Murray, TV production

Everton

True Blue Holdings and Bill Kenwright, theatre impresario

Manchester City

John Wardle and David Makin, JD Sports owners

Middlesbrough

Steve Gibson, haulier

Newcastle

Freddy Shepherd, marine and offshore services

Reading

John Madejski, hotels and publishing

Sheffield United

Kevin McCabe, property

Tottenham

Joseph Lewis, currency trader, Bahamas

Watford

Lord Ashcroft, finance, Belize

Wigan Athletic

Dave Whelan, JJB Sports shops