GWistooshort

From the Echo today........ Liverpool have reiterated that Fernando Torres is not for sale at any price this summer. Chairman Martin Broughton is reported to have said that it might be better for Torres to leave because it could take up to three years to transform the club’s fortunes. His comments were allegedly made to Sky Sports News presenter Charlotte Jackson, who disclosed details of a conversation she had with Broughton. “I saw Martin Broughton at Chelsea’s Player of the Year dinner and he refused to tell me that we weren’t going to sell Torres,” Jackson said. “He said, ‘At the moment, he’s still on board, but it’s going to take three years to turn the club around, and at his age . . .’ ” The club insist, however, that Broughton has already publicly made it clear that Torres will not be sold. Managing director Christian Purslow and co-owner Tom Hicks have also attempted to reassure supporters. They have promised that bids for the Spaniard won’t be entertained. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/01/no-bids-received-yet-as-yossi-benayoun-eyes-move-away-from-liverpool-fc-100252-26560590/2/

Liverpool FC denies profiteering from Hillsborough shirt Jun 1 2010 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Echo LIVERPOOL FC bosses have denied they are profiting from the HiIlsborough disaster by selling shirts with Justice 96 printed on the back. Fans have complained about the merchandise, seen at the club’s Liverpool One shop. But a spokesman told the ECHO that a single shirt with the message on the back had been put out on the shop floor by mistake. He said: “For some years, we have happily printed Justice 96 on the back of shirts for fans who asked for it. “In this case a shirt was ordered via mail order with Justice 96 on the back, but was returned because of a sizing issue. “It was then mistakenly put out on the shop floor. “We continue to be happy to print Justice 96 on the back of shirts for fans who ask, but have not marketed the shirts or advertised them. It was a one-off mistake that it was out on display. “Everyone at the club is proud of the relationship we have with families affected by the disaster.” http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/06/01/liverpool-fc-denies-profiteering-from-hillsborough-shirt-100252-26559960/

Reports that they're after Javi Martinez as well

From the BBC Gossip Column............... "Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has told Sky Italia that he hopes coach Fabio Capello can break his England contract after the World Cup to join the Champions League winners. Moratti also ruled out Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez as a possible successor to Real Madrid-bound Jose Mourinho at the San Siro. "I've always thought Rafa Benitez was good but he is tied to Liverpool," he said." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8714019.stm Also, Bascombe (I know) yesterday reckoned the board will vote on whether to keep Rafa or not before the start of pre-season in July http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/830282/BENITEZ-FUTURE-IS-STILL-IN-THE-BALANCE.html

Tony Barrett has covered it in the Times today so assume he believes it's genuine http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article7140751.ece

From today's Liverpool Daily Post............. Liverpool are considering their options after having a £2million bid rejected by Rangers for talented young defender Danny Wilson. Manager Rafael Benitez is a big fan of the 18-year-old centre-back and is hoping to bring him to Anfield this summer. However, Liverpool insist they wont be held to ransom over Wilson, who only has 12 months remaining on his current deal and has turned down Rangers offer of a new contract. Liverpool must now decide whether to up their bid or focus their attention on other targets. Rangers manager Walter Smith said: We are currently waiting to hear back from Liverpool after we rejected their original £2million offer. Liverpool are aware that if Scotlands PFA Young Player of the Year stays at Ibrox and sees out the remaining year of his contract they would only have to pay Rangers around £650,000 in compensation next summer. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/05/31/steven-gerrard-can-be-a-world-cup-star-insists-liverpool-fc-team-mate-fernando-torres-92534-26555465/

Tony Barrett in the Times today says Torres "is privately deeply concerned about the direction Liverpool are heading under the ownership of Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr" & the chance to join Chelsea would give him "food for thought". He also says Benayoun "has been unsettled for several months". http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article7140751.ece

Transfer snippets from today's mainstream media................. The Daily Mail reckons Liverpool have pulled out of a deal to sign Rangers' centre back Danny Wilson after Rafa was only give a £5m transfer budget http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1282379/Cash-strapped-Liverpool-pull-plug-deal-Rangers-starlet-Danny-Wilson.html The Times claims Liverpool have expressed an interest in signing Joe Cole, as have Spurs, but that Man Utd are planning a shock move to sign him on a free transfer next month http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article7139614.ece

From today's Echo.......... TOM HICKS has denied promising previous Liverpool owner David Moores that he wouldn’t plunge the club into debt. The extensive borrowing of Hicks and co-owner George Gillett have sent Liverpool £351million into the red and burdened them with crippling annual interest payments. Moores says that went against what was agreed when he sold them the club in 2007. The former chairman insists the terms of the deal were “unambiguous” and that investment bank Rothschild & Sons had guaranteed that the pair were “good for the money”. However, Hicks denies that anyone was misled. “In our agreement with the seller, no representation was made that the new ownership group would be debt-free,” Hicks said. Hicks described Moores' criticism of their reign and his plea for them to sell up as a “weak attempt to deflect attention from the prior owner”. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/05/29/tom-hicks-denies-he-made-promises-to-david-moores-about-plunging-liverpool-fc-into-debt-100252-26546293/ Plus another article exposing his lies http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/05/29/there-s-no-end-in-sight-for-the-liverpool-fc-storm-100252-26545214/

Best wishes to “top man” Fabio Aurelio May 29 2010 by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo YOU can tell an awful lot about a footballer’s character once the tape recorder is switched off and the formalities of an interview are over. There are those who you can tell immediately want to dash off, the blandness of their answers and their fidgety body language an indicator that they have no interest in continuing a conversation any further than necessary. Fortunately most of Liverpool’s squad are cut from a different cloth; they are happy to chat after business has been completed, should their schedules allow, but one man who was never too busy to spend extra time was Fabio Aurelio. When this column first interviewed him, not only did he make for articulate, illuminating copy, he showed himself to be an exemplary person, emphasising he would always help this paper out whenever possible. It was no empty promise. Even after the most disappointing afternoon of the campaign, at a bitterly cold Fratton Park, Aurelio stopped to try and explain why the team’s performance had been so bad. Sadly, injuries proved to be the bane of his life once again and, as a result, it means he has to move, but it goes without saying that everyone who has had dealings with Aurelio – a top player and top man – will wish him all the best . http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/05/29/liverpool-fc-correspondent-dominic-king-best-wishes-to-top-man-fabio-aurelio-100252-26545219/

Good to see the negative press for Hicks & Gillett continuing................. The Daily Mirror 28/05/10 Tom Hicks needs to stop talking and start acting before Liverpool are worth absolutely nothing By David Maddock Ever seen that film Groundhog Day? Can anyone tell me, was it based in Texas? After the former chairman and largest shareholder of Liverpool Football Club, David Moores, finally – and ridiculously belatedly – came out and admitted he had made a mistake in selling the club to a pair of American cowboys, one of the new owners, Tom Hicks, offered a reply. You can read what he said here , but my advice to you is, don’t bother. Don’t bother because you will have heard it all before….over and over again, in fact. Hicks basically said the club is in a better position now than before, blah, blah, blah. They have invested more than ever before, blah, blah, blah. Things are looking much healthier than ever before, blah, blah, blah. In a statement issued by the fans’ group Spirit of Shankly late last night, they responded with this rather caustic sentence: “You couldn’t make it up…except that Tom has done exactly that, made it all up.” What they mean, I think, is that there are lies, damn lies, and statistics. In this case, I’m sure Tom Hicks believes what he is saying to be true, and can back it up with CERTAIN statistics. But equally, the club’s recent accounts show what he says to be completely false. Liverpool are not in a healthier position now than three years ago. They are paying interest on bank loans and – more sinisterly – on loans from the Americans themselves, that amount to more than £78million of payments in the past two years. They also have debts that now amount to more than £350million and are growing by the day. At the current rate of debt growth, in less than three years’ time, Liverpool Football Club will be almost £700million in debt. The point is, the time has come for Hicks to stop banging on about how good things are, when every single Liverpool fan across the world can see that things are not good. They are terrible. No club can sustain such debts easily. Not Manchester United, not Liverpool, not even Real Madrid (unless, of course, they are bailed out by the state, which is another story). For Liverpool, it means money that should be spent on signing players and, crucially, building a new stadium, is instead being spent on interest repayments. Hicks tells a partial truth when he says he has given money for the manager to spend. He did in 2007-08, but since then, the net spend on players has been pretty negligible. And that is purely because of the debts that the owners have burdened the club with. In an open letter to Messers Hicks and Gillett last week, I suggested that the time has come for the pair to open their wallet, and actually use some of their own money to restore the health of Liverpool Football Club . If they don’t move QUICKLY this summer, then Liverpool will be sent on a spiral of decay that will threaten the very future of one of the greatest football teams in the world. And if that doesn’t make the Americans sit up and take notice, then this will. If Liverpool don’t act soon, then the club will be worth nothing. Zilch, nada. The great plan Hicks and Gillett had in taking a huge profit from their investment will collapse spectacularly. Both Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres have said in recent days that they will concentrate on the World Cup and then look at their futures afterwards. Both have made it crystal clear that they expect things to happen in that time, and if they don’t, then they will leave. Gerrard said quite, pointedly, “Hopefully, things might happen while I’m away.” We all know what he means, but the point is, it has to happen now. Hicks and Gillett have to take the steps to ensure that there is no chance of their two best players leaving. If those two leave at this time, then Liverpool are lost. The £600million the Americans believe Liverpool to be worth will be a pipe dream. And that could mean both of them end up in the bankruptcy courts. Hicks speaks of a “significant investment” this summer. He also speaks of decisive action. Yet so far, he has sat on his hands and done nothing, except tell everyone how great things are going. Like young Mr Grace from 'Are You Being Served?' Fans will not put up with that Groundhog Day tripe any longer. They don’t want a summer of speculation over their two best players, they don’t want another summer spent pursing crocks like Alberto Aquilani, while their owners say everything is just fine. So the time has come for action. The Americans’ only fear is that their investment will be damaged. Well, in that case, why not a boycott of merchandise from Liverpool Football Club? Steve Horner, the fan whose innocent email to Tom Hicks junior provoked the infamous “blow me f**k face” outburst, is suggesting that the refusal of the Americans’ to sell the club and clear off now demands greater action. He suggests hitting them where it really hurts – in the pocket. For a starters, Steve is advocating a boycott on purchases of the new Liverpool shirt, released this summer. Why not? If you are a Liverpool fan, then why don’t you stick with your old shirt, because the (criminal) price you pay for a new one is going towards interest payments, not buying new players. If every Liverpool fan refused to buy the new shirt the Americans would get the message, because their £600million asking price would look a fantasy if merchandising doesn't sell. You can bet too, that adidas would be on the phone rather sharpish. You see, all it takes is a little organisation, and the Americans would be in real trouble. If you want to avoid that Tom, then the answer is simple. Stop talking rubbish, and start acting. First of all, accept a realistic valuation of the club, as David Moores suggested. Show that you REALLY are doing everything to find new owners for one of the greatest sporting institutions in the world. Secondly – and this is imperative – put in the money that will appease your top players, that will persuade them to stay. That means decisive action now, even if it costs you more than waiting until July. If Gerrard and Torres go to the World Cup knowing there is a plan to turn Liverpool around and challenge for the title next season, they won’t leave. You have to send them that message now. Action is required, not hollow words. http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/blogs/mirror-football-blog/Liverpool-owner-Tom-Hicks-needs-to-stop-talking-and-start-acting-before-his-club-is-is-worth-absolutely-nothing-David-Maddock-s-Lunchtime-Read-article440999.html

The Echo keeps up the attack................ Liverpool Echo May 28 2010 Tom Hicks’ stock is bankrupt amongst Liverpool fans by David Prentice “TRUST me,” said Tom this week, with all the sincerity of a used car salesman, before adding: “They should trust people’s intent.” The problem is, Tom, Liverpool fans already did. Which is why their trust has been exhausted. Utterly. Tom Hicks and George Gillett have made their intentions for Liverpool Football Club perfectly clear during their three year tenure as Reds’ co-owners. That is, to make money. Lots of it. To squeeze Liverpool dry. It’s an intention Hicks bragged about to the Wall Street Journal only two weeks ago when he crowed: “Liverpool will be the most profitable investment I have ever made.” Which is why, forgive us Tom, Liverpool fans find it so hard to trust you. The Texan can sport as many club crests on his cowboy boots as he likes, position as many LFC mugs at his fireside and wave as many scarves as he can afford – which is plenty – but will always come from a completely different mindset to a real Liverpool fan. Football fans and businessmen have a very different perspective on football clubs. For a fan, Liverpool is not a brand, it’s a way of life. Fans do invest significant sums of money into following their idols, but that pales into insignificance compared to the emotional investment they make. Liverpool Football Club dominates lives. It makes people laugh and cry, it makes people jump for joy and kick the cat. It’s part of the community, a symbol of civic pride – a discussion point at teatime over a pint, an excuse to sit down and replay worn out video tapes over and over again. As one of its greatest ever custodians said: it exists to make the people happy. But Tom Hicks sees Liverpool as a vehicle to make money. Which is why Reds fans will never really trust you, Tom. That and the fact you tell lies. In fairness it was actually George Gillett who uttered the words “This is not a takeover like the Glazer deal at Manchester United. There is no debt involved” at their introductory press conference. But Hicks was obviously in on the business model. He, after all, was the leveraged buy-out expert. And Tom and George came together as a package – like Del Boy and Rodney – only not as engaging. “Just relax and let us do what’s right,” added Tom. Reds fans did that three years ago, Tom. Look where it’s got them. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/05/28/dave-prentice-tom-hicks-stock-is-bankrupt-amongst-liverpool-fans-100252-26538873/

“Liverpool FC is much more important than any one individual,” said the Reds former player and manager, who now has an ambassadorial role with the club’s academy. “It will move forwards and move upwards. “It is not the greatest time in the club’s history at this time but I don’t think they will start to go backwards.” Dalglish, voted Liverpool’s greatest player, also said he had some sympathy with Moores for reacting to the criticism aimed at him for selling to the Americans. “David has got his own opinions and wanted to get something off his chest but everyone knows where David’s heart lies,” Dalglish added. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/05/28/liverpool-legend-kenny-dalglish-insists-reds-will-not-go-backwards-100252-26538946/2/

Transfer snippets from today's mainstream media............... The Guardian says "Real's interest in Gerrard predates their move for Mourinho. They have talked about making a bid for him, although their valuation would most likely have been laughed at in Liverpool, as it has been in the region of €15m." http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/27/jose-mourinho-real-madrid-steven-gerrard The Liverpool Daily Post reckons Mourinho will launch a bid for Gerrard once he becomes Real Madrid manager, but "would almost certainty need to" spend £60m to get Gerrard http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/05/28/liverpool-fc-latest-jose-mourinho-eyes-fourth-attempt-to-sign-steven-gerrard-92534-26539030/ The Mirror reckons we're interested in Villa centre back Curtis Davies along with Spurs & West Ham, who are leading the chase http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Transfer-Exclusive-West-Ham-leading-Liverpool-and-Tottenham-in-race-for-Aston-Villa-star-Curtis-Davies-article440371.html The Guardian claims Man City "have given up" on signing Torres http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/27/manchester-city-edin-dzeko

BBC website Thursday, 27 May 2010 20:06 UK Uefa introduces tough penalties for spendthrift clubs Profligate clubs face being banned from the Champions League and Europa League after European football's governing body Uefa approved new plans. The example of Portsmouth, who became the first Premier League team to go into administration, has highlighted the financial excesses in England. Uefa president Michel Platini has now passed rules which would force clubs to operate within their means. Clubs will only be able to spend what they themselves generate. Big cash injections from wealthy benefactors like the owners of Chelsea and Manchester City would also be restricted under Uefa's Financial Fair Play plan. The system is being phased in and bans would not be able to be imposed theoretically until the 2014-15 season at the earliest. Clubs are required to restructure themselves over the next three seasons so they are financially solvent. The devil is in the detail but, basically, it means clubs' financial returns will be monitored over a three-year period and they will be expected, on average, to spend no more than they earn Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino said: "The main rule is the break-even requirement which will be phased in over the next three years. "It is not as easy to swallow for everyone but everyone understands it is necessary. They are there not to punish clubs, they are there to help clubs. We don't want to kill anyone, this is why we have a phased-in approach." But money invested in stadiums and youth development will not be included in the number-crunching. The rules will also forbid clubs owing money to their rivals, players and staff or the tax authorities at the end of the season. Portsmouth were a glaring example of a club which owed millions in unpaid transfer fees, image rights, tax and VAT. Earlier this year, Infantino estimated 50% of clubs in Europe were making losses and 20% were in financial peril. Big transfer fees can still be paid but clubs will need to generate sufficient funds through ticket sales, TV money and commercial revenue. "If clubs want to spend €50, 60 or 70 million, why not, provided they have the money coming from their revenues, this will continue in the future. The problem is when you don't have the money," Infantino added. The European Clubs' Association's president, former German international Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, welcomed the move, commenting: "The measures will shape the future of European football into a more responsible business and ultimately a more sustainable one." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8709871.stm The Times reckons Man Cty are planning to spend big over the next 2 seasons as a result before the new rules come in - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_city/article7138597.ece

quotes from Aquilani in the story so likely to be true “I am staying at Liverpool to make up for many things,” he said. “I have finally recovered from my ankle injury. “Juve have approached me in the past and now I’m reading of their interest, but I really don’t know anything about it.” http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/05/28/liverpool-fc-latest-jose-mourinho-eyes-fourth-attempt-to-sign-steven-gerrard-92534-26539030/2/

Sky Sports news report on the Hicks' interview http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid29318049001?bctid=88410061001

Haven't seen this reported anywhere else................ "Hicks added in his Sky interview that the presentation to show potential buyers had only just been completed." http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/05/27/tom-hicks-claims-liverpool-fc-in-better-state-now-than-david-moores-time-100252-26531130/2/ Good to see the Echo (finally!) continuing to expose Hicks............................ "Hicks interview to Sky still left Reds fans no clearer about their clubs future and his words carried numerous inconsistencies." "Hicks, who has ignored repeated requests from the Echo for an interview, yesterday spoke for 11 minutes to friendly sources at Rupert Murdochs Sky Sports News group" http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/05/27/tom-hicks-claims-liverpool-fc-in-better-state-now-than-david-moores-time-100252-26531130/

From the BBC Gossip Column................ Prospective Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho says England midfielders Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard are the type of players he will look to bring to the Bernabeu. Mourinho told Spanish sports daily AS: "I like players in the final part of their careers. Both [Gerrard and Lampard] are great players who always give everything." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8707681.stm

From the BB Gossip Column.... Midfielder Alberto Aquilani, linked with Juventus, has told Italian newspaper Leggo that he wants to stay at Liverpool to make up for his injury-plagued first season following a £20m move from Roma. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/8707681.stm

Rangers playing hardball over Wilson according to the Daily Record Rangers boss Walter Smith to show contract rebel Madjid Bougherra the door - as he battles to keep Danny Wilson and Kevin Thomson May 27 2010 Exclusive by Keith Jackson Walter Smith laid out his new blueprint for Rangers yesterday as the futures of Kevin Thomson, Danny Wilson and Madjid Bougherra were thrashed out. Record Sport can reveal Smith only signed his new one-year deal after lengthy talks with chief executive Martin Bain that focused on his plans for the three players. And yesterday - just hours after it was announced that Smith will be staying on for one more year - his plans were getting into full swing as Bain: Booted out Boro's bid for Thomson and prepared to offer the 25-year-old a new long-term Ibrox deal. Ordered Liverpool to double their bid for Wilson. Sanctioned the sale of Bougherra after the wantaway Algerian turned down a new four-year contract. The whirlwind boardroom business kicked off at breakfast time when Bain phoned Boro chief executive Keith Lamb to tell him that Thomson is NOT for sale. Instead, the Ibrox club's bankers have agreed to fund an immediate wage rise for Smith's midfield linchpin. Bain now plans to begin urgent negot iat ions with Thomson to get the player, who is entering the final year of his current deal, tied up. However, there will be NO new talks with Wilson who has turned down the offer of an extended contract. But Liverpool have been told they won't land the defender on the cheap. It was expected that Rangers would accept a fee of around £3million for the 18-year-old after turning down a £2m bid at the end of the season. But, in fact, Record Sport can reveal that in the last few days Bain officially knocked back a second and improved Anfield offer for the player. He has now made it clear Rangers will not be tempted into doing business until at least £5m is on the table. But Rangers are resigned to selling Bougherra following his decision not to accept a two-year extension to his existing two-year contract. The club now believe the Algerian has set his heart on a big-money move and will not stand in his way if the price is right. A senior source at the club told Record Sport last night: "It's been a hectic start to Walter's final year but now the management have been fixed up on new deals, there is a determination to get these other issues sorted out as quickly as possible." http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2010/05/27/rangers-boss-walter-smith-to-show-contract-rebel-madjid-bougherra-the-door-as-he-battles-to-keep-danny-wilson-and-kevin-thomson-86908-22288790/

Times survey of 5,000 fans - at least 200 from every Premiership club - sees 17% of Liverpool fans were happy with the performance of their club’s directors this season - only Portsmouth scored less http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article7137195.ece

Some more of Hicks' interview Im disappointed [with Moores] because I think weve done everything we can to improve the club in so many ways from the way it had been run before, the Texan said. We have a great management team led by Christian Purslow [the managing director], the commercial director Ian Ayre has done a great job and we have a strong finance director in Philip Nash. Weve grown our sponsorships from £40 million annually under the last years of Mooress ownership and this year well be doing close to £100 million. These are resources for the club to use, to support the wage bill and to be competitive. Since Mooress ownership in the last three years, with what we will spend this summer we will have more than doubled both the gross and net transfer spending on players. Weve tried to make Liverpool as professional a club as possible." http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article7137495.ece

From Tony Barratt in the Times this morning........... "Like Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres has stated that he is putting all contemplation about his future on hold until after the World Cup finals. In effect, both are waiting to see if the promises they have received from the club about investment being secured are kept and whether Liverpool match their ambitions for success. Neither wants to leave but they will need concrete evidence that Liverpool can compete in the coming season and beyond if they are to have all their doubts removed. It is not just the club’s crown jewels whose futures are in question, either. Javier Mascherano would welcome a move to the Continent, Yossi Benayoun, who is desperate to leave, is being pursued by Chelsea and a number of Russian clubs, and Alberto Aquilani is the subject of interest from his native Italy. There is also a group of squad players whom Benítez would like to sell, but who he might prefer to keep hold of should his fears that revenue from sales not be transferred to his transfer kitty." http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article7137437.ece

Response from Pepe to Moores letter........... Pepe Reina, who is preparing for the World Cup finals with Spain, welcomed Moores’s intervention. “It is a good move,” the Liverpool goalkeeper said. “He is worried about the future of the club and hoping for the best possible conclusion. We have to be optimistic that things will happen very quickly because we need it to happen right now.” http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article7137330.ece