Moores face ire of Liverpool shareholders

An emotional Liverpool chairman David Moores has threatened “to look at his own position” if the club declines further.

Moores and manager Gerard Houllier had to sit uncomfortably tonight as a succession of shareholders criticised the club’s performance on the field at the club’s annual general meeting.

Moores, who insisted he still “backed the values and objectives of the manager” also had to withstand a sustained verbal assault from the club’s third-biggest shareholder, building magnate Steve Morgan, who does not hold a position on the board.

And at the end of the meeting, Moores dropped the bombshell of saying: “The buck stops here. If it gets any worse I will have to look at my own position, but I hope it does not come to that.”

He added: “This has been a sad night for me personally. People are not happy, I did not expect an easy ride. But what has been happening is not good enough for our club even if I still believe in Gerard Houllier.”

Moores has been majority shareholder and chairman for more than a decade, and holds a 51% controlling interest. If he were to quit or take a step down, Houllier’s position could be under threat.

Such was the volume of criticism, led by Morgan, who maintained he had money he was willing to invest in the club, that Moores conceded he was prepared to hold a meeting with him. The pair have been at loggerheads for some time but Moores suggested he was ready to talk.

Morgan, a multi-millionaire, said: “The chairman has refused to talk to me. Money is available from me and others, but the chairman will not dilute his holding.”

Moores responded by saying: “It is time to bury the hatchet, if you (Morgan) want a meeting, we will sit down and talk it over.

“This is no good for this club, we must bury the hatchet. If it means diluting my shares or even selling to another Roman Abramovich, I will have to do it.”

A string of shareholders questioned the cost of building a new stadium, the finances of the club and the playing performance.

Boss Houllier made a strong defence of his regime and received warm applause after his report to the meeting.

Houllier admitted: “It has been a difficult season and we have been under intense scrutiny.

“I share your frustrations, but fourth place in the Premiership is achievable. I remain confident in my squad but patience is not a virtue – but we need time. All my injured players will be back in four weeks and then we will be a different proposition.

“I accept the demands of my job, I am always being reminded. But this is not about my future, it is about Liverpool’s and my job is to make this club win consistently again.

“I accept some of our recruits have not delivered, those signed in 2002 have fallen short and have not shown what we bought them for and they know they are not producing.

“But the spirit is good, if we stick together we will come through together.”

But Houllier and Moores were left in no doubt about the feelings of shareholders.

One, Keith Evans, said: “We are running out of patience, we are at snapping point. We have under-achieved for 14 years since we last won the title.”

Another, Ray O’Brien, added; “Fourth place is not good enough, we need big improvements.” John Cohen added: “I do not have confidence in the board or the manager. The manager has had ample time and has failed. I sat and watched the cup tie with Yeovil on TV and squirmed.”

And Larry Ward complained: “Arsenal have overtaken us with a smaller support. Our youth policy has to improve, look what Manchester United have done with local talent.”

Then Morgan, having been critical of the board and finances, added: “Your shareholders have shown their frustration. We have spent the evening talking of catching Manchester United but 14 years ago we were ahead of them.

“We have lost a generation of supporters. Everywhere you look, here and abroad, all you see is that bloody Vodafone shirt everywhere.

“There is a total frustration around, you can here it rumbling around the ground.

“I like Gerard Houllier, this is not a personal attack, but there is frustration and a need for change.”