Tom Hicks vows to find funds for Liverpool transfers

Jan 28 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

TOM HICKS has insisted Liverpool are ready to back Rafael Benitez’s future transfer plans – starting with the £17million signing of Javier Mascherano.

The Anfield co-owner also reiterated the club’s support for the manager and hopes the Spaniard will remain in his position “for two more years and hopefully longer than that”.

Hicks and fellow owner George Gillett last week secured a new £350m loan deal while unveiling revised plans for a new 71,000-capacity stadium on Stanley Park.

Hicks also underlined his backing for Benitez despite admitting earlier this month that Jurgen Klinsmann had been approached in November with a view to taking over as manager at Anfield.

The American duo have already rubber-stamped the £6.5m signing of centre-back Martin Skrtel during this month’s transfer window.

And they have now intimated they will follow that by releasing funds to make Mascherano’s 18-month loan deal, which expires at the end of the season, a permanent move.

“The fans should know we are building the best football ground in the world in Stanley Park and we’ve got a great manager in Rafael Benitez who has our support,” said Hicks yesterday.

“We had a lot of consternation about Rafa. But after our meeting on December 16 with Rafa, where he really showed his strong intent to do the right things with us and by the club, he’s been a gentleman ever since and we’ve had much better communication.

“He’s got our total backing. I’ve made that very clear. We’ve funded transfer requests in January and we are talking about things for the summer.

“Rafa’s going to be our manager. He’s got a contract here for two more years and hopefully longer than that.

“As far as I’m concerned Rafa Benitez will be here for at least the length of his contract.”

Asked if Liverpool were prepared to endorse the transfer for Mascherano, Hicks added: “Absolutely. We have never turned down Rafa’s request for money on any player he has asked for. If you look at the signings last summer and this month it shows that.

“We are already having conversations about the summer. You’ll have to ask Rafa about that but we’ve never turned him down.”

Liverpool reached the Champions League final within months of Hicks and Gillett taking control of the club last February, but have struggled in the Premier League this season and sit in sixth place, outside the Champions League qualification places.

And Hicks admitted: “We can do better. The club knows that, the players know that and Rafa knows that. That’s what it’s all about – the players and what happens on the pitch.

“The tabloids like to have lots of fun with other issues but it’s all about how we play and it’s time for this club to win.”

Hicks and Gillett have been hugely criticised by many Liverpool supporters in recent weeks over their stewardship of the club and their treatment of Benitez.

But Hicks believes he will still own the club in five years, and said: “There is no question in my mind. I want to win the support of our fans with my actions. I want to get out of the tabloids, out of the blogs. I just want them to watch my actions and not read somebody else’s words.

“I own three clubs and I have a real passion for all three of them. I think it’s a great way to invest my money. I believe in what is going to happen with global television and internet growth for teams.

“I love it. I’m a big fan and I watch all the games on television. I couldn’t watch the Havant game because it wasn’t on TV but I got the reports on the website.

“I wish I could come over for every game but it’s a long way. I plan to come to more. I love baseball, I love hockey and I love football.”

Hicks added: “We are on our way. We are going to build the greatest football stadium in the world. We’ve got a great manager, great fans and it’s time to put all the press frenzy behind us and move down the road.”