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New Liverpool chairman says stars will stay

Broughton, the British Airways chairman, has been brought in to oversee the sale of Liverpool after American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett decided to bring an end to their controversial spell at Anfield.

With Liverpool’s financial situation already unstable due to the 237 million pounds (366 million dollars) debt amassed by Hicks and Gillett, it has been suggested that failure to secure a lucrative place in next season’s Champions League would force the club to sell Torres and Gerrard.

After last weekend’s draw with Fulham, boss Rafael Benitez admitted Liverpool were almost certain to miss out on a top-four finish.

But Broughton is adamant there will be no fire-sale and he expects cash to be available to bring in the players needed to get Benitez’s team back on track after a disappointing campaign.

“I can’t see any reason for any forced sales. I think everybody concerned, fans, players and the manager, can all look forward to a very bright future,” Broughton said.

“There will be money available for transfers, but I am not going into how much.”

Broughton, who hopes to have found a buyer and completed the sale by the start of next season, said any new owner would have to prove they had the funds to take the club forward.

“What’s best for the club is somebody or bodies to come in and build the new stadium, make sure that the club is properly financed and that there is enough money available to take the club forward,” he said.

“I have looked at the stadium project and frankly there is an overwhelming financial logic to any buyer to proceed with the stadium.

“Any buyer would be crazy not to do so. We wouldn’t get to be the winning bid with that commitment.”

Broughton would not be drawn on how much the club will cost. Hicks and Gillett spent around 220 million pounds to buy Liverpool in 2007 and had set an asking price of 500 million pounds (772 million dollars), although it now looks as though they will have to lower that.

Broughton added: “This will make a difference, this will clarify the ownership position.

“What’s been hanging over the club is the ownership, the debts etc; so this will be a very good thing for Liverpool.”

Broughton also made it clear that he wanted Benitez to stay despite reports he has been offered a deal to take over at Italian club Juventus, while Real Madrid fans recently voted the Spaniard their preferred choice to replace Manuel Pellegrini.

“Rafa is a good manager, we want him to stay and he’s under contract to stay,” Broughton said.