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Liverpool Managing Director Christian Purslow: Investors Sought To Finance Stanley Park Stadium Move
No money means no move...
02-Feb-2010 7:15:00 PM
By Alan Dawson
Liverpool will be unable to complete their proposed move from Anfield to Stanley Park without the help of new investors and, as a result, the club are now looking to court interest from potential sponsors, according to managing director Christian Purslow.
Their current ground, Anfield, has been home to the Reds since their creation in 1892. It has a capacity that trickles into the 45,000 mark, yet a switch to the new arena will see the club reap the profits of 60,000 match-going fans.
"When I arrived we agreed with the owners that we had to look for new investors," Purslow explained in an interview with Spanish newspaper AS.
"There are interested parties and I would like to get it sorted out before the end of this season.
"Without investment there won't be a new stadium.
"That's plan B: run the club in the most responsible way possible. We are generating a healthy profit and meeting our obligations, while remaining competitive in the transfer market and with the wages we are paying."
Meanwhile, Purslow, like manager Rafael Benitez, has promised fans that the club will maintain their status as a top four club.
Liverpool suffered an early elimination from the Champions League this season and are currently fifth in the Premier League, however, wins for Manchester City and Aston Villa will see the two challengers usurp the Reds.
Purslow, though, is confident that Liverpool will be the side who will be fourth come the final day of the season.
"We will be in the Champions League, for sure," he said, before adding: "We are not a selling club," alluding to rumours that a failure to finish fourth may result in the exits of key attackers Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.
The players have not been the only parties linked with Anfield departures. The club's underwhelming season has ensured that Benitez's decisions have been intensely scrutinised.
The Spaniard has even witnessed speculation over his own future, with Juventus reportedly the most interested club in securing his signature.
"We have not considered, nor are we going to consider, a future without Benitez," Purslow said.
Their current ground, Anfield, has been home to the Reds since their creation in 1892. It has a capacity that trickles into the 45,000 mark, yet a switch to the new arena will see the club reap the profits of 60,000 match-going fans.
"When I arrived we agreed with the owners that we had to look for new investors," Purslow explained in an interview with Spanish newspaper AS.
"There are interested parties and I would like to get it sorted out before the end of this season.
"Without investment there won't be a new stadium.
"That's plan B: run the club in the most responsible way possible. We are generating a healthy profit and meeting our obligations, while remaining competitive in the transfer market and with the wages we are paying."
Meanwhile, Purslow, like manager Rafael Benitez, has promised fans that the club will maintain their status as a top four club.
Liverpool suffered an early elimination from the Champions League this season and are currently fifth in the Premier League, however, wins for Manchester City and Aston Villa will see the two challengers usurp the Reds.
Purslow, though, is confident that Liverpool will be the side who will be fourth come the final day of the season.
"We will be in the Champions League, for sure," he said, before adding: "We are not a selling club," alluding to rumours that a failure to finish fourth may result in the exits of key attackers Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.
The players have not been the only parties linked with Anfield departures. The club's underwhelming season has ensured that Benitez's decisions have been intensely scrutinised.
The Spaniard has even witnessed speculation over his own future, with Juventus reportedly the most interested club in securing his signature.
"We have not considered, nor are we going to consider, a future without Benitez," Purslow said.
"The plan calls for five years of stability in the coaching staff and the [playing] staff.
"It is normal that big clubs are interested in Rafa. The coach himself has denied [the rumours linking him to Juventus]."
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