Roy Hodgson has called on Liverpool’s fans to be patient as he eyes a spending spree to improve his squad in January if the proposed takeover of the club goes through (Liverpool evens – Top 6 finish).
The Reds have agreed to sell the club to NESV in a reported £300million deal but the takeover has been challenged by current owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, who plan to take the ownership battle to court next week.
All the signs are that the sale will go through, either after the court rules in favour of chairman Martin Broughton, who brokered the deal, or if RBS force Hicks and Gillett to sell up after they default on a loan repayment next week.
Hodgson, along with vice-captain Jamie Carragher, has backed the potential takeover and the Reds boss is already looking forward to improving his squad if, as expected, he gets significant funds to spend in the new year.
“We know what we must do,” he said. “We need new players and investment and know we’re weak in certain areas.
“These things have been the case since I arrived here and we have not had a chance to put it right.”
Liverpool have made a disatrous start to the season and sit in the bottom three after seven games while they were also dumped out of the Carling Cup by League Two side Northampton Town.
Hodgson’s position was called into question by some fans following last Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat against Blackpool but the former Fulham chief remains confident he can turn things around and has asked for the Anfield faithful to be patient.
“I ask for the fans’ patience, trust and belief as we will get it right,” he added. “It is clear we need to strengthen in certain areas of the team and bring in more quality.
“I can guarantee that at the end of the season we won’t be sitting there at the bottom.”
Following Premier League defeats to Manchester City, Blackpool and arch-rivals Manchester United already this season, another loss in their next game – at Everton a week on Sunday – will really crank the pressure up on Hodgson but the boss is sure an upturn in form is just around the corner (Liverpool 11/1 to be relegated).
He said: “Sometimes, even after a few games, people see you down there and are ready to pass out, but we’re not panicking. There is a lot more to come.
“A couple of good performances and good wins will put us in a decent position for the season ahead.”
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Steven Gerrard says England are desperate for success at the World Cup – they are 6/1 to lift the trophy – this summer and he believes a vocal backing from the travelling fans out in South Africa will significantly boost their chances of glory.