Soccer: Fans' reaction muted over deal

There was a markedly cautious reaction among Liverpool supporters yesterday as news of the deal broke, with one high-profile fan saying he feared the club had jumped out of the "frying pan into the frying pan".

Rogan Taylor, who created the "Share Liverpool FC" group, a body looking to raise funds to buy a portion of the club, was relieved the ill-starred Hicks/Gillett era was coming to an end but echoed the concerns from across the club's supporters' groups over the prospective new owners.

"I would imagine that there is deep concern among Liverpool fans," said Taylor.

"The fundamental issue is that these guys may have been very clever in running an American sports franchise, but Liverpool is not an American sports franchise. Anybody who comes along is going to be forensically interrogated. If new American owners take control they will have to demarcate themselves from their American predecessors.

"We have been screwed for the last three years but there is a concern it will not stop. There is one possible motivation [for people like this] - money."

- INDEPENDENT