Liverpool Football Club News

• Nickname:Reds
• Founded:1892
• Manager:Kenny Dalglish

• Ground:Anfield
• Capacity:45,362

Hicks: Money available for Benitez

27 May 2010 - 07:35:56

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Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has promised manager Rafael Benitez transfer funds this summer despite the uncertainty at boardroom level.

Hicks and fellow American George Gillett put the Reds up for sale last month following three years in charge at Anfield.

The American duo have been criticised by fans for a buyout which placed a huge burden of debt on the club, while the failure to begin work on a proposed new stadium left many supporters calling for their heads.

On the pitch it hasn't been much better after last season's seventh-placed finish in the Premier League left the Reds facing up to prospect of no lucrative place in next year's Champions League.

However, Hicks insists that Benitez will have money to spend this summer and has rejected suggestions that star players Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard could be sold to boost the empty Anfield coffers.

"We have no intention of selling any of our top players and we have a substantial transfer budget in place," said Hicks.

"There's so much misinformation about transfer spending. It's more than doubled under the ownership of George and myself from the previous three years and we will make a significant investment this summer. It's really about getting the right players."

Meanwhile, Hicks has hit out at suggestions that he and Gillett have taken the club backwards during their time on Merseyside.

"There's been so much misinformation put out by people who have their own agendas and it's unfortunate," he told Sky Sports News.

"But the truth is the club is much better off than it was three years ago.

"We've done our best. I'm disappointed on a personal level that our efforts have not been received as well as I wish they had been."