Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool director Tom Hicks Junior in foul-mouthed email war with furious Reds fans
Liverpool director Tom Hicks Junior has become involved in an extraordinary and abusive war of words with the influential fans' group, Spirit of Shankly, as manager Rafa Benitez added to the club's financial uncertainty by admitting he is unlikely to spend significant sums this month despite selling as many as three players.[LNB]Hicks, whose father Tom bought Liverpool in 2007 with his business partner George Gillett, snapped after receiving repeated emails from the Spirit of Shankly group questioning the transfer budget handed to Benitez.[LNB] Temper: Tom Hicks Junior, here with his girlfriend, snapped after repeated questions about the club's transfer budget[LNB] In emailed responses to organisation member Stephen Horner, Hicks Jnr first called him an 'idiot' and later wrote 'Go to hell. I'm sick of you'. He also branded the Kop activist a 'f*** face'.[LNB]The Texan's attitude to life-long Liverpool fans will not help quell fears among supporters at a troubled time for the club. [LNB]Benitez, who is trying to sell £12million Ryan Babel to raise additional funds after netting £6m for Andrea Dossena (who has joined Napoli) and Andriy Voronin (Dinamo Moscow), admitted he may have to wait until the summer before he spends the money.[LNB]He is currently waiting on Atletico Madrid and Argentina star Maxi Rodriguez to sort out a loyalty payment in order for the player to move to Anfield in a £1.5m move and that may be his only signing this month.[LNB]Benitez said: 'I'm not sure if I will spend more money in January. There aren't many top players you can sign at this time in a season for £8m.'[LNB]There is disquiet on Merseyside that a failure to finish in the top four will see star striker Fernando Torres sold. So far, attempts by the owners to find £120m in fresh investment have failed, despite overtures apparently made to the royal family in Saudi Arabia.[LNB]Benitez admitted it would take a colossal offer to prompt a discussion with the owners and managing director Christian Purslow on the departure of Torres if one came in from Manchester City. He said: 'I have said before that I want to keep our best players.'[LNB]Liverpool's game today against Tottenham, whose opening day victory at White Hart Lane heralded the Reds' poor season, is off, but they face Reading in an FA Cup third-round replay at Anfield on Wednesday.[LNB] LIVERPOOL
