For those of ypu who download Podcasts go to iTunes search for '5 Live Football Daily' and download the one dated 2/8/10.
An interesting interview with a journo who provides quite a bit of info on the proposed Takeover/Sale of LFC...
Liverpool Thread - Premier League Champions* 2019/20
Thanks mate, very interesting listen. Could be a big couple of weeks...
ffs, when will it end...
Liverpool linked with new takeover bid
Just been reading all this too...
Smoke and mirrors from Gillet I reckon. Sounds like Gillet's son is mates with this Kirdi guy and Gillet's putting up a fight for more money.
Some interesting comments here:
http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;area=showposts;u=39096
Yes, it's RAWK. Yes, it's speculation. Yes, take it with a grain of salt, but at lease some of it makes a bit of sense...
Smoke and mirrors from Gillet I reckon. Sounds like Gillet's son is mates with this Kirdi guy and Gillet's putting up a fight for more money.
Some interesting comments here:
http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;area=showposts;u=39096
Yes, it's RAWK. Yes, it's speculation. Yes, take it with a grain of salt, but at lease some of it makes a bit of sense...
Thoughts on tomorrows line up?
Cavalieri
Johnson � Carragher � Skrtel � Aurelio
Spearing Lucas
Aqua/Cole/Gerrard
Maxi Jovanovic
Ngog
Interchangable:
Gerrard - Aqua - Cole
Agger - Aurelio
Darby - Johnson
Carragher - Soto
Not sure if Hodgson will start with a strong line up or bring players on the 2nd. There's a number of combinations though.
Cavalieri
Johnson � Carragher � Skrtel � Aurelio
Spearing Lucas
Aqua/Cole/Gerrard
Maxi Jovanovic
Ngog
Interchangable:
Gerrard - Aqua - Cole
Agger - Aurelio
Darby - Johnson
Carragher - Soto
Not sure if Hodgson will start with a strong line up or bring players on the 2nd. There's a number of combinations though.
Chinese sovereign fund confirmed as Liverpool FC ownership bidders
Twist, turn. Twist, turn...
More:
China fund raises finance to match Liverpool asking priceTheKop2010-08-05 12:08:44
Twist, turn. Twist, turn...
More:
China fund raises finance to match Liverpool asking priceTheKop2010-08-05 12:08:44
Good win this morning. Caught the last half hour and mostly liked what I saw. Cole, Jova, Aqua, Maxi were all solid. Same with Kelly at the back. (Didn't see Stevie) We just didn't finish so many of our chances. I must have seen 10 shots or opportunities in that 30 and we just couldn't get it in. That'll need to change before Game 1. In all though we looked promising and there even seemed to be a glint in the eyes where last season there was nothing but dejectedness.
Latest from Times Online:
from Tony Evans/Helen Power
Liverpool have told potential bidders for the club that they have until the middle of next week to prove they have the cash. The Times has also learnt more details about the leading bid, backed by the Chinese Government.
Martin Broughton, the Liverpool chairman, set the deadline yesterday. The club could change ownership as quickly as next Friday with the consortium fronted by Kenny Huang, the Hong Kong-based entrepreneur, remaining in pole position.
China Investment Capital (CIC), the investment arm of the Chinese Government, holds a significant stake in the bid, as revealed by The Times yesterday. It has now emerged that the man responsible for raising cash for the Chinese consortium is Dr Yang Guang, the executive vice-president of Franklin Templeton Investments, one of the largest global investment fund groups.
The New York-based Guang has acquired finance from a number of sources, including significant investment from banking institutions, but CIC would hold the majority stake in any takeover. However, CIC will not invest directly in the Merseyside club, but into a new company created specifically to push the deal through.
Guang joined QSL Sports Limited, Huang�s company, in May and has been a conduit for Chinese investment in the West since the early 1990s. The Harvard-educated financier has strong links with the Chinese Government.
Despite reports to the contrary yesterday, CIC has not denied its involvement in the Liverpool bid. Officials at China�s investment fund have assessed the business plans for the club and believe that CIC will make a considerable profit by pumping money into Anfield.
The decision to attempt to invest in Liverpool was taken purely on money-making potential and sources close to the deal were keen to distinguish CIC�s intentions from the takeovers at Chelsea and Manchester City, which came down to the decisions of rich individuals � Roman Abramovich and Sheihk Mansour respectively � to buy the clubs.
Unlike the owners of Chelsea and City, CIC would have little input in the day-to-day running of the club. Decision-making at Anfield would be left to executives with extensive experience in the Premier League, with new positions created to exploit Far Eastern markets.
Huang has already told Barclays Capital (BarCap), the investment bank brokering the sale, the Premier League and Broughton that he has the backing of CIC. BarCap needs proof that bidders are good for the �300 million plus required to buy the club before they can pass through to a final round of the auction.
Supporter reaction to the idea of Chinese-led ownership was generally favourable yesterday, with the majority of fans keen to see the back of Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, the present co-owners.
The two other bids that remained on the table yesterday are thought to be from the private equity group, Rh�ne Capital, and the billionaire al-Kharafi family of Kuwait.
Further pressure was heaped on Hicks and Gillett to finalise a swift sale when an American court ruled yesterday that Hicks�s creditors can attempt to seize his assets.
The judge handling the bankruptcy of Hicks�s baseball team, the Texas Rangers, said lenders � who are still owed $525 million after the Texan defaulted on loans � can pursue his other companies for the money. One of the Rangers� creditors is Alex Rodr�guez, the former player and the youngest baseball player to hit 600 home runs.
Broughton declined to comment last night on whether creditors could try to enforce their claims against Hicks�s share of Liverpool
from Tony Evans/Helen Power
Liverpool have told potential bidders for the club that they have until the middle of next week to prove they have the cash. The Times has also learnt more details about the leading bid, backed by the Chinese Government.
Martin Broughton, the Liverpool chairman, set the deadline yesterday. The club could change ownership as quickly as next Friday with the consortium fronted by Kenny Huang, the Hong Kong-based entrepreneur, remaining in pole position.
China Investment Capital (CIC), the investment arm of the Chinese Government, holds a significant stake in the bid, as revealed by The Times yesterday. It has now emerged that the man responsible for raising cash for the Chinese consortium is Dr Yang Guang, the executive vice-president of Franklin Templeton Investments, one of the largest global investment fund groups.
The New York-based Guang has acquired finance from a number of sources, including significant investment from banking institutions, but CIC would hold the majority stake in any takeover. However, CIC will not invest directly in the Merseyside club, but into a new company created specifically to push the deal through.
Guang joined QSL Sports Limited, Huang�s company, in May and has been a conduit for Chinese investment in the West since the early 1990s. The Harvard-educated financier has strong links with the Chinese Government.
Despite reports to the contrary yesterday, CIC has not denied its involvement in the Liverpool bid. Officials at China�s investment fund have assessed the business plans for the club and believe that CIC will make a considerable profit by pumping money into Anfield.
The decision to attempt to invest in Liverpool was taken purely on money-making potential and sources close to the deal were keen to distinguish CIC�s intentions from the takeovers at Chelsea and Manchester City, which came down to the decisions of rich individuals � Roman Abramovich and Sheihk Mansour respectively � to buy the clubs.
Unlike the owners of Chelsea and City, CIC would have little input in the day-to-day running of the club. Decision-making at Anfield would be left to executives with extensive experience in the Premier League, with new positions created to exploit Far Eastern markets.
Huang has already told Barclays Capital (BarCap), the investment bank brokering the sale, the Premier League and Broughton that he has the backing of CIC. BarCap needs proof that bidders are good for the �300 million plus required to buy the club before they can pass through to a final round of the auction.
Supporter reaction to the idea of Chinese-led ownership was generally favourable yesterday, with the majority of fans keen to see the back of Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, the present co-owners.
The two other bids that remained on the table yesterday are thought to be from the private equity group, Rh�ne Capital, and the billionaire al-Kharafi family of Kuwait.
Further pressure was heaped on Hicks and Gillett to finalise a swift sale when an American court ruled yesterday that Hicks�s creditors can attempt to seize his assets.
The judge handling the bankruptcy of Hicks�s baseball team, the Texas Rangers, said lenders � who are still owed $525 million after the Texan defaulted on loans � can pursue his other companies for the money. One of the Rangers� creditors is Alex Rodr�guez, the former player and the youngest baseball player to hit 600 home runs.
Broughton declined to comment last night on whether creditors could try to enforce their claims against Hicks�s share of Liverpool
"Unlike the owners of Chelsea and City, CIC would have little input in the day-to-day running of the club. Decision-making at Anfield would be left to executives with extensive experience in the Premier League, with new positions created to exploit Far Eastern markets. "
Sounds too good to be true!
Sounds too good to be true!
N'Gog had another good game, hopefully this builds up his confidence and he can continue to play well this season.
Suddenly everything is starting to look rosy
Suddenly everything is starting to look rosy
APNewsBreak: Group won't enrich Hicks, Gillett
Marc Ganis, whose Chicago-based company Sportscorp Ltd. has helped form the investment group, said it first contacted Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton on Monday, a day after reports of a possible bid first surfaced.
"We haven't submitted a formal proposal but we submitted the broad parameters of what a proposal would look like to see if it would be welcomed, and it was," he said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press, hours after he returned to the United States from China.
Ganis said the group had four primary goals if it makes a bid:
_Leave Liverpool debt free.
_Make a significant equity investment and construct the long-delayed new stadium to replace Anfield.
_Invest a large amount that would be available for player transfers.
_Have an Asian initiative to expand Liverpool's fan base and commercial activities with the goal of creating new economic value for the club using QSL's platform in China.
"What is not one of our goals in the enrichment of the existing owners," Ganis said, "If we submit a proposal and it is accepted, it would be focused on the future and not the past."
Sauce
Lots of talk around Poulsen joining, don't want him... at all
Also, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Peter Crouch touted as coming back
On owners front, things may get messy as Martin Broughton and Christian Purslow have supposedly accepted the Kenny Huang bid, but Hicks and Gillet aren't budging wanting more cash.
Also, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Peter Crouch touted as coming back
On owners front, things may get messy as Martin Broughton and Christian Purslow have supposedly accepted the Kenny Huang bid, but Hicks and Gillet aren't budging wanting more cash.
Apparently we are keen on carlton cole???? I really do not see the attraction there whatsoever! He's got the mobility of a donkey
Linds agree with you def don't want poulsen but I think it's going to happen cos he's cheap cover since mash is going. I'd love crouch to come back and wouldn't mind getting hold of ireland from city I think he's class.
Linds agree with you def don't want poulsen but I think it's going to happen cos he's cheap cover since mash is going. I'd love crouch to come back and wouldn't mind getting hold of ireland from city I think he's class.
Sounds like Poulsen is a done deal, he's been excused from the intl squad to complete the move. I've got no problem with him as long as he's happy on the bench.
Big move from Kenny last night, he's meeting with the Spirit of Shankly group around the ownership deal:
Spirit Of Shankly - ShareLiverpoolFC - Meeting with Chinese Bid
TheKop2010-08-10 08:18:03
Big move from Kenny last night, he's meeting with the Spirit of Shankly group around the ownership deal:
Spirit Of Shankly - ShareLiverpoolFC - Meeting with Chinese Bid
TheKop2010-08-10 08:18:03
Actualy, you scrap Poulsen now that Inter have said they won't be moving for Masch. No money as the Maicon moves fallen through.
Actualy, you scrap Poulsen now that Inter have said they won't be moving for Masch. No money as the Maicon moves fallen through.
Gossip or truth?
Isn't the mood around Liverpool a lot more positive than the last six months. It's pretty exciting isn't it! Liverpool keen on Crouch? Wright Phillips? I also wonder if we maybe seeing Ngog come out of the closet in a football sense. Scored 4 goals already? (if my memory serves me right).
Soccernet:
Inter Milan club president Massimo Moratti has revealed that Real Madrid's bid for Maicon is now dead in the water, and revealed the club do not have the resources to sign Javier Mascherano from Liverpool at the present time.
"I can confirm that Maicon is not transferable. If Real Madrid really wanted him, they should have tried harder," Moratti told Corriere dello Sport. "We're not letting go of him, because he's a very strong player.
I think Inter needed some of the funds from maicon to get Masch. Roy's not letting him go cheap.
Thursday should be interesting as "The Bidders" are supposed to show their cards for the club.
Inter Milan club president Massimo Moratti has revealed that Real Madrid's bid for Maicon is now dead in the water, and revealed the club do not have the resources to sign Javier Mascherano from Liverpool at the present time.
"I can confirm that Maicon is not transferable. If Real Madrid really wanted him, they should have tried harder," Moratti told Corriere dello Sport. "We're not letting go of him, because he's a very strong player.
I think Inter needed some of the funds from maicon to get Masch. Roy's not letting him go cheap.
Thursday should be interesting as "The Bidders" are supposed to show their cards for the club.
Soccernet:
Inter Milan club president Massimo Moratti has revealed that Real Madrid's bid for Maicon is now dead in the water, and revealed the club do not have the resources to sign Javier Mascherano from Liverpool at the present time.
"I can confirm that Maicon is not transferable. If Real Madrid really wanted him, they should have tried harder," Moratti told Corriere dello Sport. "We're not letting go of him, because he's a very strong player.
I think Inter needed some of the funds from maicon to get Masch. Roy's not letting him go cheap.
Thursday should be interesting as "The Bidders" are supposed to show their cards for the club.
Inter Milan club president Massimo Moratti has revealed that Real Madrid's bid for Maicon is now dead in the water, and revealed the club do not have the resources to sign Javier Mascherano from Liverpool at the present time.
"I can confirm that Maicon is not transferable. If Real Madrid really wanted him, they should have tried harder," Moratti told Corriere dello Sport. "We're not letting go of him, because he's a very strong player.
I think Inter needed some of the funds from maicon to get Masch. Roy's not letting him go cheap.
Thursday should be interesting as "The Bidders" are supposed to show their cards for the club.
We wanted 30M Euros for Masch which I think is fair. Very happy that he is likely to stay now.
Can't wait for this ownership wrangle to finish so we can get on and buy one or two key new players. Apparently none of the bidders has yet provided proof that they have the cash to complete the deal which is a prerequisite of them getting FA sign off.
Actualy, you scrap Poulsen now that Inter have said they won't be moving for Masch. No money as the Maicon moves fallen through.
Gossip or truth?
Isn't the mood around Liverpool a lot more positive than the last six months. It's pretty exciting isn't it! Liverpool keen on Crouch? Wright Phillips? I also wonder if we maybe seeing Ngog come out of the closet in a football sense. Scored 4 goals already? (if my memory serves me right).
So your taking a backsward step. Or you think that Spurs and City are better than you.
Im bluenose and i think your better than those two.
goodluck for the coming season. This is the year where we will finish above you.
Actualy, you scrap Poulsen now that Inter have said they won't be moving for Masch. No money as the Maicon moves fallen through.
Gossip or truth?
Isn't the mood around Liverpool a lot more positive than the last six months. It's pretty exciting isn't it! Liverpool keen on Crouch? Wright Phillips? I also wonder if we maybe seeing Ngog come out of the closet in a football sense. Scored 4 goals already? (if my memory serves me right).
So your taking a backsward step. Or you think that Spurs and City are better than you.
Im bluenose and i think your better than those two.
goodluck for the coming season. This is the year where we will finish above you.
Scott Parker wasn't good enough to start for Chelsea but he is still a star in the league. I'm sure there are many other examples of players who don't fit a system at one club and shine at another.
I was just saying that things at Liverpool are definitely looking up since Roy has taken over. Hope with new signings and new owners talk.
You guys have no chance of finishing above us.
Our current (seemingly) rosiness is more than just a few rumoured players to sit on the bench. We've brought in Cole and Jovanivic. A couple of promising youngsters too. Keeping Gerrard and Torres with Masch the only one wanting out. A new manager in Roy, who's currently doing everything right. Compare this to the nightmare of a season we had last year and things are looking just a touch Rosy. I would be far from happy if that rosy colour was anything close to that jazz pink of strip though 
Just need to sort out this debacle of an ownership now hopefully we're set.
Just need to sort out this debacle of an ownership now hopefully we're set.
Poulsen is terrible should have taken Gattuso off us would have been cheaper too
OopsTyler2010-08-11 12:17:31
Hope you are wrong...although many people seem to be saying that he isn't that good. It seems to be a done deal though.
Interesting read in the Dom Post about the Huang takeover. Seems it may not be as rosy as (we)I am hoping.
Actualy, you scrap Poulsen now that Inter have said they won't be moving for Masch. No money as the Maicon moves fallen through.
Gossip or truth?
Isn't the mood around Liverpool a lot more positive than the last six months. It's pretty exciting isn't it! Liverpool keen on Crouch? Wright Phillips? I also wonder if we maybe seeing Ngog come out of the closet in a football sense. Scored 4 goals already? (if my memory serves me right).
So your taking a backsward step. Or you think that Spurs and City are better than you.
Im bluenose and i think your better than those two.
goodluck for the coming season. This is the year where we will finish above you.
Scott Parker wasn't good enough to start for Chelsea but he is still a star in the league. I'm sure there are many other examples of players who don't fit a system at one club and shine at another.
I was just saying that things at Liverpool are definitely looking up since Roy has taken over. Hope with new signings and new owners talk.
You guys have no chance of finishing above us.
Scott parker at chelsea what a crap example. Chelsea are better than you so it isnt a step back when a player cant get in a team ahead of names such as lampard and makelele. Where as SWP couldnt get in ahead of Bellamy. Do you see what I mean.
You guys want to be in the top 3 right. buying other teams reject players isn't going to get you there.
12ubb3rduck3y2010-08-11 13:02:52
Hope you are wrong...although many people seem to be saying that he isn't that good. It seems to be a done deal though.
�
Interesting read in the Dom Post about the Huang takeover. Seems it may not be as rosy as (we)I am hoping.
Classic. The Syrian/Canadian guy came out this morning and said Rafa was a dictator and did nothing for Liverpool. Way to win the fans over...
Morning lads, looking forward another classic encounter this weekend! How're you placed injury wise? Because we're FARKED!
Morning lads, looking forward another classic encounter this weekend! How're you placed injury wise? Because we're FARKED!
The season hasn't even started and already players on the injury table...or just getting your excuses in early?
Ah, The Fever Derby!
We're all set to go. Only Torres in doubt at this stage. We should have a promising line up. At a guess:
Reina
Johnson, Carragher, Skrtl, Aurelio
Lucas
Gerrard
Cole
Kuyt, Ngog, Jovanovic
Bench:
Aquiliani
Mascherano
Agger
Poulsen
Pacheco
Maxi
We're all set to go. Only Torres in doubt at this stage. We should have a promising line up. At a guess:
Reina
Johnson, Carragher, Skrtl, Aurelio
Lucas
Gerrard
Cole
Kuyt, Ngog, Jovanovic
Bench:
Aquiliani
Mascherano
Agger
Poulsen
Pacheco
Maxi
Ah, The Fever Derby!
We're all set to go. Only Torres in doubt at this stage. We should have a promising line up. At a guess:
Reina
Johnson, Carragher, Skrtl, Aurelio
Lucas
Gerrard
Cole
Kuyt, Ngog, Jovanovic
Bench:
Aquiliani
Mascherano
Agger
Poulsen
Pacheco
Maxi
We're all set to go. Only Torres in doubt at this stage. We should have a promising line up. At a guess:
Reina
Johnson, Carragher, Skrtl, Aurelio
Lucas
Gerrard
Cole
Kuyt, Ngog, Jovanovic
Bench:
Aquiliani
Mascherano
Agger
Poulsen
Pacheco
Maxi
Mascha to start? Hope to see some more Aquailani this year! Come on you reds
Actualy, you scrap Poulsen now that Inter have said they won't be moving for Masch. No money as the Maicon moves fallen through.
Gossip or truth?
Isn't the mood around Liverpool a lot more positive than the last six months. It's pretty exciting isn't it! Liverpool keen on Crouch? Wright Phillips? I also wonder if we maybe seeing Ngog come out of the closet in a football sense. Scored 4 goals already? (if my memory serves me right).
So your taking a backsward step. Or you think that Spurs and City are better than you.
Im bluenose and i think your better than those two.
goodluck for the coming season. This is the year where we will finish above you.
Scott Parker wasn't good enough to start for Chelsea but he is still a star in the league. I'm sure there are many other examples of players who don't fit a system at one club and shine at another.
I was just saying that things at Liverpool are definitely looking up since Roy has taken over. Hope with new signings and new owners talk.
You guys have no chance of finishing above us.
Scott parker at chelsea what a crap example. Chelsea are better than you so it isnt a step back when a player cant get in a team ahead of names such as lampard and makelele. Where as SWP couldnt get in ahead of Bellamy. Do you see what I mean.
You guys want to be in the top 3 right. buying other teams reject players isn't going to get you there.
By your rationale we would only buy players from teams better than us. Although last season was crap by our standards, that would usually mean that Liverpool would only be able to buy from a handful of clubs in Europe? Players can be on the bench for more than one reason including personality clashes with the coaches and they don't fit into a system at one club.
No my rationale = Chelsea better than you so their bench players = improvement. Spurs and man city not better than you so there bench players = not an improvement.
So someone like Scott Parker would be an improvement because hes a stand out player in a team below you.
So someone like Scott Parker would be an improvement because hes a stand out player in a team below you.
Some positive spin on Kenny and his work in the US.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/11/sports/soccer/11liverpool.html?_r=1&src=tptw
�He�s our man in China and he was incredibly important in creating our connections with the Chinese Baseball League and getting our first Chinese sponsor,� said Randy Levine, the president of the Yankees. �Basically, he makes sure that the Yankee brand is known in China and he brings sponsorship opportunities to us.�
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/11/sports/soccer/11liverpool.html?_r=1&src=tptw
�He�s our man in China and he was incredibly important in creating our connections with the Chinese Baseball League and getting our first Chinese sponsor,� said Randy Levine, the president of the Yankees. �Basically, he makes sure that the Yankee brand is known in China and he brings sponsorship opportunities to us.�
Two cracker goals from Gerrard for England this morning. The old Stevie looks like he's back.
OMFG!!!
my home computer is f**ked from that virus or somesh*t from RAWK
anyone got any ideas what to do about it?
dont go on rawk!!
Start with Hijackthis and see if you can identify what it is: http://free.antivirus.com/hijackthis/
Try Spyware doctor to remove it:
http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/
AVG may also find it too, this is what I use:
http://free.avg.com/au-en/download-avg-anti-virus-free-edition
Just humped on RAWK and AVG and http://www.malwarebytes.org/ seem to be the best bet.TheKop2010-08-12 12:55:19
Try Spyware doctor to remove it:
http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/
AVG may also find it too, this is what I use:
http://free.avg.com/au-en/download-avg-anti-virus-free-edition
Just humped on RAWK and AVG and http://www.malwarebytes.org/ seem to be the best bet.TheKop2010-08-12 12:55:19
you officially signed Poulsen 
I think i'm neither yay or nay. Time will tell though. I guess he'll be good cover at any rate, experienced and maybe what we need to get through this season.
Sounds like the Kenny crew have submitted their bid after the proposal was excepted.
Kenny's just been interview by a magazine he partly own about the process. Quite insightful...
http://sports.sina.com.cn/g/2010-08-12/16455146878.sht
Aug 12, Beijing: This is an exclusive and first interview of Huang by �Love Basketball� (ANQ), a basketball magazine which he is the Advisor , on his effort to buy Liverpool FC. Huang (KH) explained that because of the confidential agreement he would not speak on the present process but would clarify some of the rumours etc.
ANQ: Why have you keep silent on LFC?
KH: There has always been a confidential agreement. Hence I cannot make any comment on the current process and have to go through spokesman and PR company.
ABQ: So why can you accept the interview now?
KH: The details cannot be divulged now. As there are too many interview requests, I feel I should say a few things through my own magazine but I can�t say a lot.
ANQ: At what stage is the bidding going now?
KH: Our interest in buying LFC has been recognised by the Board. At the same time, we have continued our work - researching and evaluating, the overall progress is good. However, there are quite a number of strong competitors. So there are still a lot of unknowns.
ANQ: Who are your competitors?
KH: From Middle East and from North America. The Indians have withdrawn.
ANQ: At what position do you feel you are amongst the bidders? In the lead or what?
KH: I feel everyone has a chance. Every bidder would feel they have an advantage so it is hard to say we are in the lead. We shall strengthen our communication with the Board and the Bank.
ANQ: What are your advantages, you feel?
KH: First we have a very strong Asian market and Chinese market which will be very helpful to Liverpool to get into these markets. However, our competitors have more preparation and more understanding of the EPL.
ANQ: According to the UK media, (you want) the Board to reply you within 10 days? When would you expect the deal be done?
KH: We have put forward many proposals and we have the answer: the Board has accepted our proposal (translator's note: proposal, not bid) and wish us to continue the process. We have a reply in less than 10 days.
ANQ: You mean the Board has given you a positive reply?
KH: Yes but there are still a lot of unknowns. The reports in UK media saying that we have won or ahead in the lead are incorrect. In fact, all our competitors are very strong. We have to recognize our position: not far ahead, nor the Board has confirmed accepting us. There is still some way to go. It was that we asked the Board to let us know whether our proposal would be overall acceptable and the Board has said yes.
ANQ: There are sayings that you hope to complete the deal by the end of the month before the transfer window closes - is it true?
KH: No. Of course everyone feel it would be best but there are certain unknowns.
ANQ: How about the other rumoured completion date - October?
KH: By October, it will be an open secret because by then the loans is due and the Bank has to call back the debt.
ANQ: In the main who are you negotiating with at LFC? The Bank? Board? The American owners?
KH: Mainly the Board.
ANQ: There are Mainland media doubting your ability to buy LFC?
KH: It is definitely not with my own money - but that of a consortium. Membership of the consortium still has to be keep confidential.
ANQ: Someone has said Yang Guang of Franklin Templeton has joined the investment - is it true?
KH: Yang Guang is a fund manager, the best amongst Chinese. However, it is also not Yang�s money but the consortium�s money. He�s only responsible for management.
ANQ: So Yang and you are partners and co-intiators?
KH: Yes, Yang is with me to protect the interests and rights of various investors.
ANQ: What is the purpose of this consortium buying Liverpool? Some media said you have been deliberately pumping up publicity?
KH: We must state that we have not been pumping publicity, if we were it should have started a lot earlier. We only admit our involvement after LFC said we are bidding. If you look at the reports, we have kept a low profile until the Chairman of the Board�s interview and then we admitted we are bidding. Our aims: (1) no firing up publicity (2) no interview. Many people said we seek publicity - this is wrong. On whether Huang Jian Hua is dealing with his own money: I clarify, it is not my money. It is a consortium.
ANQ: How did you convince the consortium to bid for LFC?
KH: This is a very good brand and the price is a lot lower than two years ago. Therefore, I feel it is a good investment project.
ANQ: Any difficulties / obstacles so far?
KH: Not enough understanding of the UK media. This is our biggest oversight. Everything should be confidential but the digging ability of the UK media is just out of our imagination. Our biggest puzzle is that they have known our every move. The ability of our competitors to make use of the media also out-strip us. What I do not expect is the integration of sports and media in UK is even higher than that in the US. This open my eyes but also already given me some disadvantages. Therefore we have engaged the largest PR company in the world which has a high capability in the UK.
ANQ: What have been the fans� view on the bidding so far? How do you deal with it?
KH: The Bank and Board have had pressure from the media. Their attention to the media far exceed my expectation. This may be my biggest failure thus far.
ANQ: The fans? What have the fans� responses to all the news?
KH: The PR company told us most of the fans are supportive although there are some noises too - that there are doubts on the
depth of our pocket, and on our ability to manage (the Club). Of course we have to deal with these issues step by step.
ANQ: Some Mainland fans have some doubts too? What do you hope them to understand?
KH: I feel, there are many things of the EPL to learn from. This is the most successful league in the world. If we can learn of the good and not the bad, that will be good for Mainland. Their training method, advance experience and also raising the ability of players are things we can learn from.
ANQ: How confident are you in a successful bid? 50%? 60%? 80%?
KH: About 50%, I think. Our competitors are strong, and we do not have enough experience, especially we need to understand more on the big teams� relationship with teh media in the UK. Also we are not well prepared enough on the triangular relationship between the shareholders, debtors and the Board. We still have a lot to do, and we do not have a great advantage as it was reported. We still have a lot to learn and review.
ANQ: You have a lot of investments - how do you balance them? baseball, ANQ, Jilin Northwest Tigers (professional basketball team), NBL?
KH: Everyone can see that the sport industry in China is tremendous. I want to get a hand in the biggest three sports in the world: baseball, football and basketball. There is a lot of �relationship� between the big three and these will help raise Chinese� own industry to a very high level. On NBL, I was told the recent show was done well. Still there were hiccups (). ticket sale far exceeded expectation and ad boards were sold out. Still there are a lot of issues. This is our first year - we also have to improve sponsors� rights and package, as well as tv broadcasting.
Kenny's just been interview by a magazine he partly own about the process. Quite insightful...
http://sports.sina.com.cn/g/2010-08-12/16455146878.sht
Aug 12, Beijing: This is an exclusive and first interview of Huang by �Love Basketball� (ANQ), a basketball magazine which he is the Advisor , on his effort to buy Liverpool FC. Huang (KH) explained that because of the confidential agreement he would not speak on the present process but would clarify some of the rumours etc.
ANQ: Why have you keep silent on LFC?
KH: There has always been a confidential agreement. Hence I cannot make any comment on the current process and have to go through spokesman and PR company.
ABQ: So why can you accept the interview now?
KH: The details cannot be divulged now. As there are too many interview requests, I feel I should say a few things through my own magazine but I can�t say a lot.
ANQ: At what stage is the bidding going now?
KH: Our interest in buying LFC has been recognised by the Board. At the same time, we have continued our work - researching and evaluating, the overall progress is good. However, there are quite a number of strong competitors. So there are still a lot of unknowns.
ANQ: Who are your competitors?
KH: From Middle East and from North America. The Indians have withdrawn.
ANQ: At what position do you feel you are amongst the bidders? In the lead or what?
KH: I feel everyone has a chance. Every bidder would feel they have an advantage so it is hard to say we are in the lead. We shall strengthen our communication with the Board and the Bank.
ANQ: What are your advantages, you feel?
KH: First we have a very strong Asian market and Chinese market which will be very helpful to Liverpool to get into these markets. However, our competitors have more preparation and more understanding of the EPL.
ANQ: According to the UK media, (you want) the Board to reply you within 10 days? When would you expect the deal be done?
KH: We have put forward many proposals and we have the answer: the Board has accepted our proposal (translator's note: proposal, not bid) and wish us to continue the process. We have a reply in less than 10 days.
ANQ: You mean the Board has given you a positive reply?
KH: Yes but there are still a lot of unknowns. The reports in UK media saying that we have won or ahead in the lead are incorrect. In fact, all our competitors are very strong. We have to recognize our position: not far ahead, nor the Board has confirmed accepting us. There is still some way to go. It was that we asked the Board to let us know whether our proposal would be overall acceptable and the Board has said yes.
ANQ: There are sayings that you hope to complete the deal by the end of the month before the transfer window closes - is it true?
KH: No. Of course everyone feel it would be best but there are certain unknowns.
ANQ: How about the other rumoured completion date - October?
KH: By October, it will be an open secret because by then the loans is due and the Bank has to call back the debt.
ANQ: In the main who are you negotiating with at LFC? The Bank? Board? The American owners?
KH: Mainly the Board.
ANQ: There are Mainland media doubting your ability to buy LFC?
KH: It is definitely not with my own money - but that of a consortium. Membership of the consortium still has to be keep confidential.
ANQ: Someone has said Yang Guang of Franklin Templeton has joined the investment - is it true?
KH: Yang Guang is a fund manager, the best amongst Chinese. However, it is also not Yang�s money but the consortium�s money. He�s only responsible for management.
ANQ: So Yang and you are partners and co-intiators?
KH: Yes, Yang is with me to protect the interests and rights of various investors.
ANQ: What is the purpose of this consortium buying Liverpool? Some media said you have been deliberately pumping up publicity?
KH: We must state that we have not been pumping publicity, if we were it should have started a lot earlier. We only admit our involvement after LFC said we are bidding. If you look at the reports, we have kept a low profile until the Chairman of the Board�s interview and then we admitted we are bidding. Our aims: (1) no firing up publicity (2) no interview. Many people said we seek publicity - this is wrong. On whether Huang Jian Hua is dealing with his own money: I clarify, it is not my money. It is a consortium.
ANQ: How did you convince the consortium to bid for LFC?
KH: This is a very good brand and the price is a lot lower than two years ago. Therefore, I feel it is a good investment project.
ANQ: Any difficulties / obstacles so far?
KH: Not enough understanding of the UK media. This is our biggest oversight. Everything should be confidential but the digging ability of the UK media is just out of our imagination. Our biggest puzzle is that they have known our every move. The ability of our competitors to make use of the media also out-strip us. What I do not expect is the integration of sports and media in UK is even higher than that in the US. This open my eyes but also already given me some disadvantages. Therefore we have engaged the largest PR company in the world which has a high capability in the UK.
ANQ: What have been the fans� view on the bidding so far? How do you deal with it?
KH: The Bank and Board have had pressure from the media. Their attention to the media far exceed my expectation. This may be my biggest failure thus far.
ANQ: The fans? What have the fans� responses to all the news?
KH: The PR company told us most of the fans are supportive although there are some noises too - that there are doubts on the
depth of our pocket, and on our ability to manage (the Club). Of course we have to deal with these issues step by step.
ANQ: Some Mainland fans have some doubts too? What do you hope them to understand?
KH: I feel, there are many things of the EPL to learn from. This is the most successful league in the world. If we can learn of the good and not the bad, that will be good for Mainland. Their training method, advance experience and also raising the ability of players are things we can learn from.
ANQ: How confident are you in a successful bid? 50%? 60%? 80%?
KH: About 50%, I think. Our competitors are strong, and we do not have enough experience, especially we need to understand more on the big teams� relationship with teh media in the UK. Also we are not well prepared enough on the triangular relationship between the shareholders, debtors and the Board. We still have a lot to do, and we do not have a great advantage as it was reported. We still have a lot to learn and review.
ANQ: You have a lot of investments - how do you balance them? baseball, ANQ, Jilin Northwest Tigers (professional basketball team), NBL?
KH: Everyone can see that the sport industry in China is tremendous. I want to get a hand in the biggest three sports in the world: baseball, football and basketball. There is a lot of �relationship� between the big three and these will help raise Chinese� own industry to a very high level. On NBL, I was told the recent show was done well. Still there were hiccups (). ticket sale far exceeded expectation and ad boards were sold out. Still there are a lot of issues. This is our first year - we also have to improve sponsors� rights and package, as well as tv broadcasting.