JAMIE CARRAGHER has warned Liverpool the long-term future of the club is more important than appeasing frustrated members of the current squad as they seek an end to the ongoing ownership issues.

Uncertainty continues to engulf Anfield with the deadline approaching next week for co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to agree a refinancing package with the club's banks.

The impasse over any possible takeover has called into question the Liverpool careers of a number of senior players thought to have been let down by the current situation.

But a typically blunt Carragher believes time must be taken to ensure the right owners are brought in for the good of future generations of supporters and not the short-term benefit of the present squad.

"The ownership situation is not something that is going to be sorted out quickly, you cannot put a deadline or time scale on it," said the centre-back.

"It is a massive decision for the club, it's not about the players who are here now. We are looking 20 or 30 years down the line.

"It's got nothing to do with keeping players who are here now happy. It's about the future of our club, for our children.

"There is also the stadium to think about. It is a decision that we have to get right."

The off-field problems have been exacerbated by Liverpool's travails on the pitch this season, with Thursday's deeply unimpressive goalless draw at Utrecht in the Europa League meaning Roy Hodgson's side, who stand 16^th in the table, have not won in their last four games.

It has increased the pressure on the Liverpool manager to guide his side to victory at home to promoted Blackpool tomorrow.