Monday, December 17, 2007

Liverpool Stadium Plans Downsized; Reds Headed to Canada?

That screeching sound emanating from Liverpool are the brakes being slammed on the Reds' new stadium. Chief executive Rick Parry says the club will go on the cheap for its new ground, downscaling on the initial plans which called for a spectacular 70,000-seat venue that would include an 18,000-seat Kop as at Anfield.

Parry's spin is that the new plans are a "slight downgrade" but the park will still hold 70,000 and the Kop remains.

Wedged in between the lines of this belt-tightening is the budget freeze undoubtedly headed for Rafa Benitez's product on the field. Liverpool's financial woes have been documented and reportedly, Benitez has been told there isn't much in the coffers for potential signings come the January transfer window.

Benitez met with Liverpool's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillet following the Reds' 1-0 loss to Manchester United at Anfield. The loss was Liverpool's second straight in the Premiership. Publicly, Liverpool is saying the meeting was "positive and wide-ranging." The proof will be in the coming weeks and whether Benitez makes any signings of substance.

In the meantime, it looks like Liverpool may be in North America next summer to take on the MLS All Stars in Toronto. WVHooligan reports there may also be a Liverpool-Juventus friendly in Montreal as well, testing the waters for an MLS franchise there?

No comments: