Kraft hints at Reds bid

American has not ruled out Liverpool takeover

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 30th January 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Kraft hints at Reds bid

Kraft: Anfield interest

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American businessman Robert Kraft admits he has not ruled out a possible takeover of Liverpool.

Kraft owns American football side New England Patriots and Major League Soccer outfit New England Revolution.

And Kraft - who is founder, chairman and chief executive of the Kraft Group - was strongly linked with a bid to buy the Reds before the Merseyside club was taken over by fellow Americans George Gillett and Tom Hicks for £470million in 2007.

However, Gillett and Hicks are rumoured to be unsettled on Merseyside following Liverpool's lacklustre form and a much publicised bust-up with manager Rafa Benitez regarding the club's January transfer policy.

Gillett and Hicks

Dubai International Capital are thought to remain interested in a bid to buy out Gillett and Hicks, after withdrawing from the race to own the Reds last year, and Kraft has now hinted that he could also consider a takeover at Anfield.

"We haven't ruled it out completely," Kraft told Sky Sports News.

"But I'm worried a little bit. I want to be able to win whatever we do. But there are no rules in terms of spending on players.

"We would never want to be in a business where we couldn't compete and right now some of the structure doesn't allow you to compete on a level playing field."

Moores meeting

And Kraft admits he has met with David Moores, who was Liverpool chairman before selling his stake to Gillett and Hicks and is now a director at Anfield, in the past.

"I spent a lot of time with Mr Moores and his group in Liverpool and we know something about building an opportunity," Kraft added.

"The fan base in Liverpool is a lot like the fan base of the Patriots when we bought them.

"They are dedicated fans if you give them a quality product and they know you are doing their best to win."

Comments (14)

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Stewart Cowie (Liverpool fan) says...

I am really tired of listening to Benitez saying we were the better team who make a lot of chances! We are struggling in the league and show no signs of putting together a challenge for 4th spot. When is everyone going to realise that this mess with the take over is being perpetuated by the pathetic performances of an average side? If we cant keep a clean sheet against non leaguers then forget finishing in the top six. The rest of the premiership got masses of confidence from havants performance! Time to change something. Jose is free at the moment and i'm sure would get the best out of our lazy players! Very frustrated lifetime fan!!!!

Posted 10:00 31st January 2008

Peter Davies (Liverpool fan) says...

The real irony about all of this, in my opinion, is that Gillet and Hicks are right to doubt Rafa! They've put a lot of money into a club to make it a winning club but unfortunately the guy in control of the team is out of his depth. The worst thing Benitez did for Liverpool (my team) was win the European Cup in his first year then back it up with FA Cup the year after! "It's unthinkable and ridiculous to doubt him as a manager" isn't it? No it's not. As good as winning our big eared cup again and our FA cup again was, all I've really wanted is to see my team win the league again since I stood on the Kop and saw them do it all those years ago, and Rafa can't do it. He wanted time - he's had it, he wanted money - he's had it and on the whole he's wasted both. We're no closer to Man U and Arsenal in skill or stature than when he first arrived. Sure we've got world class through the middle ie Reina, Carra, Stevie and Torres as well as other really good players but AGAIN we're out of the title race before it's even got exciting and lets be honest it'll be exactly the same next year as it has been the last 3. It does bother me that we're now an another american owned business but all businessmen want to be succesful which in sport means winning and keep winning and we're most definately not doing that. The manager in charge of that department of the business is Rafael Benitez and he's had the time, the money, the support and the backing but just can't deliver so why question the owners for having the nerve to doubt him and go off looking for new owners? If they do get pushed out and this Kraft fella or whoever takes over - they're going to ask the same questions and have the same doubts - "why isn't this team winning"?

Posted 09:59 31st January 2008

Liverpool Fan (Liverpool fan) says...

Kraft is excactly who we need. He has proven experience in the highest echelons of the sports industry and in just a few years time he has led the Patriots to unprecedented success and turned it into a dynasty. His soccer team is also doing great and has appeared in two american finals in the last few years. He has shown his commitment to his teams as shown by the excellent transfer of Moss to the patriots before this season started and the Patriots have again reached the Superbowl again, for the fourth time in the last 6 years. So Freinds .... Bring him on and we'll be happy in the years to come.

Posted 07:13 31st January 2008

Ryan Dawson (Liverpool fan) says...

Just because Gillett and Hicks are idiots does not mean you need to bash on Americans not knowing anything about football. I have spent plenty of time in England and Europe and have been following Liverpool religiously ever since. I watch every game on TV, and online, and follow European football much more than the NFL, Baseball or any other sport here. Please dont say Americans dont understand the passion just because we dont live in England. I can see businessmen just wanting to get rich off of Liverpool as a bad thing. You never know an owners true intentions with a team until they get in control. Who knows what DIC would do? They are known as more shrewd businessmen than most. Many owners from America do have the experience with getting large stadiums built, and marketing their team very well. I think if anything, American ownership would be a good thing. I think the prospective owners of any club should be well scrutinized, and not just given to the highest bidder.

Posted 06:46 31st January 2008

K H (Liverpool fan) says...

After tonights result with West Ham I really think Rafa's departure from Liverpool is a matter of time. His only saviour is winning the Champions League and I am not sure the fans will be patient enough. I am not sure what the legal technicalities are in terms of getting Jose in, if i were the American owners, I would ringing Jose ASAP before a big club pounces on him. Rafa's tinkering with the team and not playing his "best" side has made me and I am sure many fans fed up now. Plan of action, contact Jose, if he agrees, sack Rafa and bring him in. If the owners are in it for the long run, this will improve their ratings amongst the fans and one thing is guaranteed with Jose is stability in the league and with the squad he has at his disposal, I am sure he can make a challenge for the Champions League too after a little shifting here and there. SOS, BRING IN JOSE!!!!

Posted 23:47 30th January 2008

Harry Hogg (Liverpool fan) says...

Liverpool FC needs to be owned by someone who has grown up watching European football and who has a passion for it. They need to know about the club, the fans, and how the game works. And most of all they need to respect Rafa.

Posted 14:30 30th January 2008

John Stark (Arsenal fan) says...

Us Americans may not understand your passion regarding your teams but please don't insult us -in the way you feel insulted- by suggesting we don't have equal passion for our teams, such as the Patriots or the Rec Sox. Maybe is you were a little less passionate and more businesslike you wouldn't be even taking about American takeovers. Also, you don't know Bob Kraft as much as he knows Liverpool. This man is very shrewd and very successful. For anyone to suggest he knows nothing about Football is plain ignorance. I hope he does not buy Liverpool, because #1 I like Arsenal better and #2 he may then focus less on improving his present Soccer operation, The New England Revolution, who someday will be good enough to beat your team.

Posted 14:12 30th January 2008

Abdallah Muhindi (Arsenal fan) says...

I think Liverpool did a mistake when they offered their club to bidders, they could have signed a lockdown agreement with the shareholders like what arsenal did. These bidders are not footballers, neither football lovers, but businessmen. in the long run they ruin the history of the club.

Posted 13:52 30th January 2008

Max Mcnabb (Liverpool fan) says...

Like any Liverpool fan, recent events have left a bad taste but lets be realistic. How many people "investing" in the club will be doing it for the love of Liverpool or even football? The truth is finding someone similar to Abramovich, who loves Liverpool irrespective of costs, isn't going to happen. However, Liverpool FC is a seriously marketable brand name & in the right hands can be a huge financial success both on & off the field. Obviously finding the right people is the key. Are Gillet & Hicks the right people? On the evidence so far NO!! Lets not tar every American with the same brush (those in favour of a DIC buy-out have no guarantee they will be any better). What would help, above all else, is an owner whose ego is not so large he has to be in the papers every day. The new American owner atVilla is a great example because I can't even remember his name & he has left the football side to people who know the game. Rafa Benitez needs to improve aswell because he's struggling with a far bigger cheque book than O'Neill, Mark Hughes & David Moyes.

Posted 13:49 30th January 2008

Chris M. (Liverpool fan) says...

Why is this happening to our club, all other takeovers have gone smoothly.....

Posted 12:45 30th January 2008

Stephen Forever red (Liverpool fan) says...

Here we go again! Another American who knows nothing about football but thinks he knows all about the Liverpool supporters eg: "The fan base in Liverpool is a lot like the fan base of the Patriots when we bought them." Oh really - in what way I wonder? How many people outside of New England support the Patriots? How many people outside of the USA have even heard of them? Doesn't sound too much like the Reds' worldwide fanbase to me.

Posted 12:44 30th January 2008

Adam Howells (Liverpool fan) says...

I think its about time Gillett and Hicks sold up and let someone else take over and move the club forward I just can't see it happening under them! After what has happened in the papers they are never going to get the fans' support!

Posted 12:36 30th January 2008

Mimi Rohrmoser (Liverpool fan) says...

The same vibe I pick up when reading this story and other related articles is that the 'bidders' for Liverpool FC seem to view the club as a good investment. Do the current American owners of Liverpool and Mr Kraft himself even have an insatiable love and passion for Liverpool FC, or even British football in general?? Sadly it comes down to money, money, money!

Posted 12:28 30th January 2008

Andrew Robinson (Liverpool fan) says...

I share in Mr Kraft¿s thoughts about winning, but Liverpool FC is more than just a product. The fans don¿t see football as a product or a business. It is a way of life. I think Americans who are interested in buying up clubs need to understand the passion we have for football.

Posted 12:16 30th January 2008
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