Roy Hodgson

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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Jose Reina

The Reds’ goalkeeper was outstanding on Sunday – making two wonderful first-half saves as Roy Hodgson’s side were held to a goalless draw by Birmingham City at St Andrew’s.

That result means the Merseysiders have won one, drawn two and lost one of their first four games and it appears they will face a real battle to finish in the top four once again this season.

However, Reina says the club needs to be “realistic” in their aims and has called for patience as they try and compete at the top of the table.

Reina said: “We have to make sure that people don’t think of winning the league or being in the top four already at this moment.

“It is going to take a while. We have got to get used to the new players and then the system.

“There are many good teams and our target is to be up there but we have to be realistic.”

Next up for Liverpool in the league is a trip to arch rivals Manchester United and a defeat there would leave them seriously trailing other clubs in the race for a top-four place (Liverpool 1/3 to secure a top-six finish).

However, they will welcome back influential attacking midfielder Joe Cole for the game following his three match suspension for being sent off against Arsenal. This will provide a significant boost to the Reds’ aspirations but Reina has urged caution over his side’s chances.

“Is a Champions League spot realistic this season? I don’t know,” Reina added.

“We will find out at the end of the season what we can achieve. No-one has patience nowadays. We are just asking for a little bit.”

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