Reds stay silent on link to Thai PM

LIVERPOOL have refused to comment on a newspaper report claiming that billionaire Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is to buy a 30% stake in the club.

The Sunday Express reported that the tycoon will sign a deal today after agreeing to invest £65m in the club.

Thailand's Deputy Minister of Commerce, Pongsak Ruktapongpisal, is quoted as saying: "We will sign the contracts with Liverpool's representatives on Monday, although the place is not yet known.

"I also want to assure you that the money comes from the Prime Minister himself not from public funds.

"Mr Thaksin is determined to raise the standards of Thai football once the signing is complete."

Any deal would involve the establishment of a Liverpool academy in Bangkok and increase the club's commercial opportunities in Asia.

Meanwhile, with Steven Gerrard looking to become England's talisman in Euro 2004, Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has become the latest addition to the midfielder's fan club.

The former Manchester United captain watched with a sense of national pride as Gerrard systematically dismantled his side on Saturday.

"We just could not cope with him," said Bruce. "I hope he continues that form for the next few weeks in the European Championships. He was awesome absolutely awesome. He did everything that is required of a midfield player."

Considering the campaign is drawing to a close, Gerrard looked remarkably fresh. He ran the match and capped an outstanding all-round display with the third goal when he got on the end of crossfield ball from Danny Murphy.

Liverpool closed in on a Champions League spot with this 3-0 victory, although the situation could go down to the wire with Newcastle visiting Anfield next Saturday.

Gerrard said: "We are at home next week so we fancy our chances there. It was a great team performance, we knew it was going to be hard against Birmingham. Steve Bruce has done a fantastic job this season."

Liverpool controlled the match from the off and goals from Michael Owen and Emile Heskey put them in the driving seat.

Speculation has been mounting about Heskey's future at Anfield but Houllier refused to be drawn on the subject.

"I can comment on the present. He had a fantastic game," said the Liverpool boss. "It is too early to talk about the future. He has scored two goals in two games."