New co-owner of Liverpool Tom Hicks was interviewed on BBC Radio Five Live on Thursday night, and the interview proved a very heartening one for Liverpool fans.
The American businessman outlined several things fans were happy to hear. Including ‘building the new stadium around the Kop’, wishing to keep hold of manager Rafa Benitez and key players Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. He also ruled out Chelsea style mass spending, but did say funds are available for Benitez.
“I’ve been in the business for 13 years and I know that doesn’t work,” Hicks said.
“Our job as owners is to create the right balance of generating as much revenue as the fans want to pay, the sponsors want to pay, the media companies want to pay and giving as much of it to the players as you have to to have a business that can go forward as a business.
“The key is to have a smart manager like Rafa who will take a long-term view of how we can get better. I know enough from talking to him now that he doesn’t want to do what you just described, he wants to build for the long term.
“I’m not saying we won’t spend for transfers, that may be what we do. But it’s got to be in the context of a plan that makes Liverpool competitive every year for a long time.
“We have budgeted a big number, I’m not going to tell you what it is because it’s part of Rafa’s plan, but the new stadium is very important to that because with the higher revenues Liverpool have we will be able to compete with anybody.”
