Source: Team_Talk
Protesting Reds fans gather at Anfield
A number of Liverpool fans have gathered at Anfield to protest against American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.[LNB] The duo, who bought the Reds in 2007, recently announced their intention to sell the club, which is currently £351million in debt.[LNB]The 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 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]"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."
