Hicks admits he 'made a terrible mistake'

Thu 6th May 2010 | Clubs Ownership

Tom Hicks believes he has paid a 'terrible price' during his co-ownership of Liverpool but has implied that it could take two years to sell the club.

The American businessman and co-owner George Gillett are ready to listen to offers for the Reds after appointing new chairman Martin Broughton to help find buyers.

But when announcing plans to sell, Hicks also indicated that he believed the club have tripled in value under his control to an asking price of effectively £800million.

This suggested the Texan will not be willing to accept a cut-price, quick conclusion to his turbulent time at Anfield, which began in February 2007, and he has now reinforced that fact.

"From discussions we've had over the last two years, there are plenty of those people [potential investors in Liverpool] out there," Hicks said in The Times. "We've owned it three years. We won't own it for five.

"I can still be a fan. But I've paid a terrible price. I'm 64 years old. I don't want that any more.

"Jerry Jones [the Dallas Cowboys owner] is a good friend of mine, but his life and his family's life is the Dallas Cowboys. Mark Cuban, the Dallas Mavericks are his life. This isn't my life."

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Pepe Reina admits the club need to find new owners in order to keep their best players.

A number of Reds stars have been linked with moves away from the club following their failure to qualify for next season's Champions League with vultures circling over Fernando Torres' head.

Reina is adamant it is vital to the club's future to keep hold of Torres and improve the squad if they want to be challenging for honours again after a massively disappointing campaign this term.

"It is important players like Fernando [Torres] see the club moving forward," Reina told the Daily Express.

"Let's see how it goes with the owners and the sale of the club. Once we are done with that, let's build a proper team, a proper squad, a competitive squad."

Reina, who recently signed a new six-year deal at Anfield, insists he has no regrets about pledging his future to the club despite the turmoil surrounding the side.

"Liverpool are one of the best clubs in the world. I see no reason to leave," added Reina.

"I've decided to play many years for Liverpool and I have no regrets at all with that.

"Any kind of player around the world will feel attracted by Liverpool.

"We are a massive club. Of course players will want to come."

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