Tom Hicks has promised Liverpool fans transfer activity
next week and vowed the club will improve their Premiership record
to make a serious title challenge next season. The Reds co-owner
was speaking in the wake of the new contracts signed by captain
Steven Gerrard and his deputy Jamie Carragher. But despite being
confident there will be new signings and more current players
penning new deals in the near future, he has demanded boss Rafael
Benitez produce a "consistent" side next term.
Hicks, speaking on Sky Sports News, made it clear results must
improve to compete with Chelsea and Manchester United. He said:
"Our goal is to play good football all season next time out. In the
Premiership, you have to be so consistent. "We lost far too many
games on the road, particularly to lesser teams. "That's the goal
going into next season, to try to win those games that we have not
been winning in the league. "Only then will we be able to give
Manchester United a good run for their money."
Hicks is also confident that revised plans for the club's new
stadium will be revealed soon. He said: "The design is now final,
it's spectacular and I can't wait for everybody to see it. "I think
our fans will love it - it's very creative architecture, very
contemporary but also unique to Liverpool.
Benitez returns from holiday at the end of the week keen to
conclude new contract discussions with Jose Reina, Xabi Alonso and
Steve Finnan. And Hicks, added: "I would say to fans 'just be
patient', because we're talking to Rafa often. We are going to sign
some good players, some good young players.
Benitez is chasing several foreign players, including Barcelona
striker Samuel Eto'o and Lyon winger Florent Malouda. The Spaniard
added: "New contracts for Stevie and Carra are two very important
deals because they are about safeguarding the future of this club.
"They both wanted to stay at the club. They have a passion for this
club and you can see that in the way they play. "It's a very
positive statement we feel and sends out an important message.
There's a lot of work - an awful lot of work - going on in the
background. "It's important we get the right players and there will
be a lot of activity at the club to come - but we're delighted to
see Steven and Jamie sign these contracts."
