SOCCER:Dubai International Capital, the state-owned private equity firm who hope to purchase Liverpool, have confirmed that they can provide the financial backing to allow the Premiership club to compete more effectively with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea should they complete their £450 million takeover at Anfield.
David Moores, Liverpool's chairman, has granted Dubai International Capital permission to examine the club's accounts ahead of finalising an offer to buy a major stake, with a period of due diligence underway. Moores has dropped his valuation of the club's equity to around £170 million with DIC likely to buy a large proportion of his 51.7 per cent shareholding as well as Granada's 9.9 per cent stake.
DIC recognise that they would also need to guarantee the club's £80 million debts and fund the £200 million construction of a new stadium in Stanley Park. Yet both the club and the Dubai-based company's chief executive, Sameer al-Ansari, suggested that, along with the stadium development, funds would be provided for Rafael Benitez to strengthen his playing squad.
"Liverpool's investment requirements are well publicised," said Al-Ansari. "We hope we can agree a deal that will provide us with the opportunity to fund its needs both on and off the pitch."
The company, the international investment arm of Dubai Holdings, in effect represents the country's Maktoum family, headed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai.
With Liverpool hopeful that a deal can be put in place by Christmas, Parry last night moved to allay fears expressed by some fans troubled by the prospect of the club following United's lead by falling into the hands of foreign owners. "Already (DIC) have demonstrated a full understanding of, and respect for, the club's heritage and values," said Parry. Benitez added: "It's always important for a club to have more possibilities and more money."
Meanwhile, Jerzy Dudek will kneel on the turf before kick-off tonight and kiss the penalty spot as, all around the Ataturk Stadium, giddy memories flood back of the glorious frenzy that was the 2005 Champions League final. Yet, while the Pole's pre-match homage is a reflection that this was the stage for his finest hour, it is also a recognition that this is a chance to bid farewell.
Life has taken a significant downturn for Dudek since he stooped to block Andriy Shevchenko's penalty, Milan's fifth in the shoot-out, and ensured Liverpool secured a fifth European Cup despite having trailed 3-0 at the interval that night. The Pole returned to Merseyside as a hero yet, within days, the 33-year-old had been supplanted as Rafael Benitez's number one by the arrival of Jose Reina from Villarreal.
This evening's start against Galatasaray will be only his seventh since that night in Istanbul and, with seven months to run on his contract, Dudek has already accepted the inevitable and is planning for life elsewhere.
"For one year, it was okay, but now I'm at an age where I need to be playing. I've always wanted to stay at Liverpool, but the most enjoyable part of this game is to play, not to sit on the bench and watch."
He has that opportunity tonight with Reina one of a quartet of players - along with Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia and Steve Finnan - rested and left back on Merseyside. The game against Galatasaray is a dead rubber, the visitors having already claimed the group and the Turks cut adrift and condemned at the bottom. Yet, for Liverpool fans and Dudek in particular, a return to the Ataturk is emotional.
Galatasaray have claimed a solitary point from a miserable European campaign, their chances even of qualifying for the Uefa Cup wrecked by last month's 3-1 defeat in Bordeaux. Their coach, Eric Gerets, is under threat having seen his side slip seven points adrift of Fenerbahce in the league.
