Football story by Vinnie Mitchell, Wed, 09 Nov 2005 18:28:00 GMT


Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry's visit to the United States as the guest of US billionaire Robert Kraft has once again revived rumors of an impending American takeover at Anfield.

Parry spoke about the proposed new stadium for the Champions of Europe to Robert Kraft, whose family owns the New England Patriots NFL team. "I've known them since 2001 and had an invitation to visit the Gillette stadium, one of the USA's few privately-funded stadia," Parry said adding that the visit was no state secret.

"It gave us a chance to discuss the way they funded the ground's construction. Being an international break, it was a convenient time to accept the invitation and it proved an interesting trip," he stressed denying all talk of an imminent takeover.

Liverpool are still slated to move to Stanley Park, but the building costs on the site have jumped from £80 million to £150 million, prompting the Liverpool board to search for outside investment options. Arsenal, who are moving from Highbury have reached an agreement whereby their new stadium would be called the Emirates Stadium and it is being reported that Liverpool are very interested in a similar arrangement.

Liverpool have always been an attractive takeover target and last year Thaksin Shinawatra, the prime minister of Thailand had made an offer, but that had failed to lead anywhere. Local businessman Steve Morgan, a longtime Liverpool fan has also made several failed attempts to up his holding in the club.

In fact, the Kraft family had pulled out of a deal in January, "David Moores, the chairman of Liverpool, wanted a price that, for a minority stake in the club, was unrealistic," a spokesman had said at that time.

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