Investor: Liverpool need cash

Prospective Liverpool investor Mike Jefferies has promised to back manager Rafael Benitez in the January transfer window should he succeed in buying into the club.

The Hollywood-based Merseysider believes Liverpool’s squad needs strengthening to become competitive with the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, and he would back a winter spending spree.

Jefferies hailed Benitez as “one of the best managers in the world”, but insisted that the current crop of Anfield players pale when put up against the strength of the Barclays Premiership elite.

Of Benitez, Jefferies told the Daily Mirror: “He needs some quivers on his back to get this club back where it belongs.

“In Los Angeles you see Manchester United shirts but no-one has heard of Liverpool. Whoever is responsible for that wants shooting.”

He insists there should be no doubting his motivation, nor that of any members of his consortium, for wanting to take up a prominent position at the club.

Businessman and life-long fan Steve Morgan has so far failed in his efforts to buy a controlling stake in the club, despite making a £70million offer to do so - which remains on the table.

He looked to be on the brink of a takeover in August after discussions with chairman and owner David Moores.

But a row over distribution of that offer between shareholders and the club’s coffers – caused by claims that the new stadium price had soared – scuppered the deal.

Where Morgan has so far failed, Jefferies is eager to succeed and there is talk of a £100m (€146m) investment.

Jefferies added: “These are early days but we have had conversations with Liverpool and we would like to help the club become the most successful in the world once more.”