STANLEY PARK

WOLVES and HICKS

There was once a little shepherd boy who took care of his father's sheep every day, and all he did every single day was to watch the sheep graze the green, green fields. But he got bored, so one day he did the unthinkable: he ran down the slopes of the hill to his village, screaming at the top of his voice, "Wolf! Wolf!".

And we know the ending to that story: there wasn't any wolf in that incident, but when the wolves did come eventually no one believed him anymore.

Why in the world am I sharing this, you might ask? A simple story reflects the story of the enigmatic Tom Hicks thus far.

After co-purchasing the club with George Gillett for 218.9 million pounds, he revealed plans for a new stadium, a futuristic, state-of-the-art (and some say unrealistic) plan drawn into place. Did we have enough money for that one, some asked? "Yes," he said.

Well, are Gillett and Hicks going to saddle the club down with debt, like what Malcolm Glazer previously did with Manchester United? "No," they said. "It's all from our pockets."

Is Rafa going to be manager as long as possible? "Yes," they said, then Tom said that he'd spoken to Jurgen Klinsmann "just in case" Rafa left.

So it's been a rough week for all of us here, especially that the shepherd boys have cried wolf one too many times.

Who do we believe this time? DIC? Rick Parry? George and Tom? Rafa? BBC News? The recent articles suggest that George and Tom have got the refinancing plans all fixed up, 350 million quid in total of burdens to saddle us with.

What's most interesting is that another stadium plan has been done up. Tom Hicks is your spokesman.

"This new financing package is a strong vote of confidence in the club's financial strength and a recognition of the exceptional opportunity represented by the construction of the club's new state-of-the-art stadium at Stanley Park," said Hicks.

"The successful completion of this financing package is particularly significant in light of the currently challenging credit-market environment.

"With the refinancing process now done, club supporters can look forward to the timely commencement of construction work on the new stadium and renew their focus on actions on the pitch." (BBC Sport, 25 January 2008)

Well, let's hope this is the final design. For real.

"Rafa is under contract for two more seasons following this season. I am solidly behind Rafa and am confident of the team's competitive prospects under his continuing leadership." (still BBC Sport)

Klinsmann, however, is "just an insurance policy".

Being Liverpool fans, however, we tend to forgive and forget where our internal club matters are concerned.

I pray that the little shepherd boy in Hicks has decided to keep to his promises.

THE REDS LEGEND BACK BENITEZ

Some of the biggest legends in the history of Liverpool Football Club have leapt to the defence of manager Rafael Benitez following yesterday' s news that club co-owner Tom Hicks had offered Jurgen Klinsmann the managers job at Anfield.

Former players Kenny Dalglish, Alan Hansen, Mark Lawrenson and Ian Rush have all come out in support of Benitez in the aftermath of Hicks' frank admission.

Dalglish told the Liverpool Echo that Benitez 'did not deserve to be hanged' for his public fallout with the American's in November and urged fans to show their support for the manager.

He said: "When Rafa was flying, winning the Champions League, you would not need support - you get that automatically, don't you?

"But when it's not going so well, that's when he really needs his allies to get round about him, stand beside him and help him. Because that's the least he deserves. He deserves the help of a lot of people because he's brought a lot of happiness to an awful lot of people here.

"Over the past couple of months things have not been as good as we hoped they would be. But this is when they need to stand up and be counted and get shoulder to shoulder with their man - and their man's Rafa - and stand beside him. He needs it - he needs the help, he needs the confidence in himself. Support is the least he deserves for what he's done for this football club. He's moved lock, stock and barrel over here, which is easier said than done. Rafa has integrated into the Liverpool way of things. And apart from the outburst last November, he's conducted himself admirably. He's had one blemish - but that shouldn't hang him.

"People have got to be more responsible about what they say publicly. What you say behind closed doors isn't really that important. I don't know whether there is a breakdown in communications or not and as Tom Hicks said, everything's been resolved now. Well I think it might have been resolved - but coming out and saying they spoke to Jurgen Klinsmann is I think, in one way commendable, because it indicates maybe the guy's honesty if that's why he's done it. But the other side of the coin is that they just don't need it.

"Rafa doesn't need it; the players don't need the uncertainty and certainly the supporters don't need it. And after the fans showed their support for Rafa the last time I would not be surprised if there was another show of support for the man at the game against Luton.

"I think fans will be very disappointed and frustrated. I don't think they have ever had this before. When I was there you discussed it in private and that was it - it was finished. I think Rafa's reputation was reflected in the support the punters gave him.

"Rick Parry has been there and very highly thought of as an administrator on that side and that's no disrespect - everybody needs a good administrator and if you get one then you are lucky. But Tom Hicks and George Gillett, they are the ones that are new to the supporters. They are the ones the supporters can relate to least of all. So those two have got to have a look and say 'What PR can we do? What are we going to do to get back in favour with the supporters?'

"Because at the moment, as this comes out, I don't think they will exactly be flavour of the month or the favourite people at the football club."

In his column in the Echo, Anfield goal scoring legend Ian Rush added: "Now people are going to say Liverpool are a laughing stock. In many ways, you can understand that because this is not the way Liverpool normally do things.

"The tradition of the club - and the very thing that has made them so hugely respected - is to do everything in-house. Not out in the open like this.

"Rafa's situation is similar to the one that Jose Mourinho found himself in during his latter days at Chelsea when there was speculation in the papers for weeks on end that he would lose his job.

"The fans might not like it, and understandably so, but the fact is that the owners of the club dictate what goes on.

"Rafa can survive by winning games, but the fact that the owners were looking for a potential replacement means things don't look too good at the moment.

"I know Jurgen well and I think he will do a fantastic job at Bayern Munich because he is a born winner who the players will have nothing but respect for. But as far as Europe is concerned, Benitez is the best. No one knows more than him. Look at his record with Valencia. Look at the way he's taken Liverpool to two Champions League finals.

"You only have to look at what he has achieved in the game to realise what a good manager he is."

Meanwhile, Alan Hansen says that Hicks' comments have undermined Benitez.

"I haven't got a clue why he has come out and said this," said the Scot.

"Maybe the story was going to come out and he thought he'd be better off making a statement first."

" Whichever way you look at it, though, these events cannot do anything but undermine manager Rafael Benitez.

"His position is not untenable, but for one of the owners to come out and publicly say he had talks with the man who was heavily linked with Benitez's job - well, it puts even more pressure on the Spaniard.

"Insurance policy or whatever Hicks wants to call it, the fact is he met Klinsmann and offered him the job if Benitez went, which is remarkable."

His former central defensive partner Mark Lawrenson agrees and says that he would not be surprised if Benitez looked for a new job.

"It is a strange thing to do. You could have spoken to Klinsmann through a third party and said, 'If this happens, would you be interested?' - that is all you need to say.

"It is not dissimilar to what happened to Martin Jol at Tottenham. If you're saying, 'We've looked around to try to find someone to replace you just in case', he might just think, 'I'll look for a little something I can go into just in case'.

"I think all the things that were promised when they took over seemed fantastic but now there are all sorts of problems. The plans for the stadium were revised. Revised to what? The fans would say cheerio to the Americans and welcome in the guys from Dubai.

"Although they are not playing well the majority of fans are behind Benitez. They know how difficult it is to find a good manager, as you can see with the farce at Newcastle."

Editor's Notes

Never before had a handful of Liverpool past 'legend' come forward into the media in full support and unity for a Liverpool manager.

To have the backing of players who had tasted glory after glory in the red color of Liverpool, Rafa Benitez must have been doing more rights then wrongs.

I for once share the same sentiments that the 'insurance policy' explained by Tom Hicks was just an excuse of a failed approach.

And how many times have we heard from the media and pundits alike that its ethically wrong to solicit for a new manager when one is currently in place. It certainly would not have gone well with the many Liverpool supporters as well.

Not only are the new owners showing a lack of interest in the running of the club, by doing so miles away, they are also undermining Rafa's position and respect.

Comparisons have been drawn to that of the spat Roman Abramovic and Jose Mourinho, aka the 'Filthy-rich One, and the 'Self-proclaimed Special One'. But I beg to differ, as we all know how much money Abramovic has provided a bottomless war-chest into the progress of the London club. But all we seem to hear from the American owners are re-structured loans and debts.

For me, Rick Parry, is the root of all this 'evil' as he was the one who convinced the Americans to purchase Liverpool Football Club. As such, should Liverpool be sold again for their 'quick profit', Parry should go off too.

Having said that, I am all for the Dubai Investment Company, to rekindle their interest. At least for once, we would know that it'll be run by a Liverpool fan. And if that doesn't happen, its certain that Rafa would be engineering his own move away from Anfield, a sight that we would not want to see.

The fans must give him all the support in this difficult times. Send out a message to Rafa Benitez, telling him that "You'll Never Walk Alone".

AGGER INJURED

Daniel Agger could be set to miss the rest of the season after Rafa Benitez confirmed a recurrence of his metatarsal injury.

Specialists have yet to confirm how long the Dane will now be out of action, but Rafa Benitez doesn't expect Agger to feature this month. Agger has already missed the past four months, but Liverpool had been hoping to ease him back into action in a reserve team game last week.

Agger had been set to take part in a reserve team game against Blackburn Rovers last week before the game was called off. But with a first-team return believed to be close, the former Brondby centre-half now faces a second spell on the sidelines with the full extent of the injury yet to be discovered.

The Denmark international ‘felt something’ in training, and now Benitez admits Agger will have to start at the beginning.

"We've had some bad news in that Agger has the same problem again," confirmed the Liverpool manager on their official website.

"He was training and ready to play but yesterday in training he felt something, so we need to go back and start from the beginning.

"It's not easy to say when he will be back. He is going to see different surgeons and then we will be able to analyse the situation."

Benitez has already ruled him out for the next few weeks, meaning that new signing Martin Skrtel may have to be thrust into the action early.
Editor's Notes



Its a major setback for Liverpool that Daniel Agger is making his way back to the treatment room. Rafa Benitez has previously learned from his mistakes when he hastened the return of Xabi Alonso.

Alonso wasn't fully fit then, did not finish the game and was ushered back to 'sick bay' with a recurrence of his injury.

Liverpool now have the luxury of Martin Skrtel at centre-back and he would definitely be making his debut soon enough. Agger's injury has also raised rumours that Liverpool might be looking for another centre-half, with Ezekquiel Garay and Bruno Alvez top on the list.

But with Momo Sissoko transfer no-go and no apparent news on the signing of Javier Mascherano, Liverpool do not seem to have the financial muscle to recruit these £10 million-bracket players.

Lets just hope that Skrtel settles in quickly and Agger works his way back to full fitness.