Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool fans hold Anfield protest against owners Hicks and Gillett after Benitez axed
A number of Liverpool fans have gathered at Anfield to protest against owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. [LNB]The Americans, who bought the Reds in 2007, recently announced their intention to sell the club, which is currently £351million in debt. [LNB] Grounds for concern: Liverpool fans protest against the American owners outside Anfield[LNB]Today's news that the club have parted company with manager Rafael Benitez sparked the impromptu protest, which is swelling by word of mouth. [LNB]Benitez endured a turbulent final season at the helm, which ended with a disappointing seventh-placed finish in the Barclays Premier League, but retained the support of a significant hardcore of fans. [LNB]Performances did turn many supporters against the Spaniard, but his backers preferred to train their dissatisfaction on Hicks and Gillett. [LNB]James McKenna, spokesman for the Spirit of Shankly fans group, said: "This has not been arranged by Spirit of Shankly, but fans have just started turning up. [LNB] "It is not necessarily about the manager, but about how Tom Hicks and George Gillett are continuing to run this football club - they are running it into the ground. [LNB] Bin and gone: One Liverpool fan shows his despair[LNB]"What has happened to the manager is the straw that has broken the camel's back. They have got rid of him because of the financial situation. [LNB] "People have seen the lies and the broken promises from Hicks and Gillett about the new stadium. [LNB] "They always said they would back the manager. He has gone in and asked for a transfer budget but that budget cannot be provided because of the financial situation." [LNB] Failure to qualify for next season's Champions League could have serious financial implications for the club and the board feel a change of manager is necessary for fresh impetus. [LNB]But McKenna added: "No manager should be undermined by the financial situation of a football club and that is what has happened. [LNB]"There are 200 people here now and hopefully that is going to grow. [LNB] "Last season was disappointing but to me that is a direct consequence of the financial mismanagement of this club. [LNB] "Rafa is a world-class manager and he will probably go on to bigger and better things." [LNB] Rafa Benitez leaves Liverpool after six years in charge - Spaniard accepts £4m pay-off Liverpool search for new boss: The contenders to replace Rafael Benitez Crouch will be on Cloud Nine as striker aims to emulate World Cup greats[LNB] [LNB]
