Randolph: I bet you one dollar that we can own the best soccer club in the world within one year . . .
Mortimer: Hmmm . . . go on?
Randolph: . . . without spending a single dime!
Mortimer: Oh Randolph! It's evil - but I like it. You're on!
(They shake hands... fade out)

Fellow Liverpool fans, it indeed seems that those unscrupulous Trading Places characters, Randolph & Mortimer (aka George Gillett and Tom Hicks) have made their comeback, and are at it again! On this occasion, their dastardly scheme revolves around Liverpool Football Club, not orange juice.

Their evil plan to trade places this time apparently involves refinancing their original £298m Bank of Scotland loan, plus an extra £50m or so for initial stadium costs, placing this huge debt upon the club itself. They would then own Liverpool FC without having spent any of their own money. A dollar to Randolph?

'It is as clear as day that these are not men of their word and therefore cannot be trusted'


Considering their assurances when taking over the club that theirs would not be a Glazer-style takeover, it beggars belief that there wasn't some sort of clause in the sale to prevent refinancing of this nature. Nevertheless, it is as clear as day that these are not men of their word and therefore cannot be trusted.

The Independent newspaper has reported that the rest of the club's board are diametrically opposed to this blatant piece of skullduggery.

Let us hope that their opposition can block the move for long enough to force the Americans to pay up their loan by selling quickly. If this happens, and rumours are true that DIC are waiting in the wings willing to purchase, one can only hope that their interest is more sporting and their conduct more in keeping with the club's proud heritage and tradition.

To quote their nemesis Eddie Murphy, Hicks & Mortimer (or whatever the liars' names are!) should "get the f**k outa here" and restrict their interference to sport that actually interests them, eg. American Football, baseball etc.