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Liverpool miss out on investment deadline

Liverpool's owners are looking for investment © Getty Images

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Liverpool's chances of securing investment from the Rhone Group appear to have ended after the club missed a deadline to complete discussions.

The New York-based fund management company had made a £110 million bid for a controlling stake in Liverpool, but imposed a three-week deadline on talks that has now expired, according to a report in the Independent.

Liverpool are still faced with debts of around £100 million to the Royal Bank of Scotland and are searching for investment that would help get them back onto sound financial ground, however the club's decision not to continue talks with Rhone suggest that they believe they can get a better deal elsewhere.

Talks are thought to have stalled over negotiations regarding the overall control of the club. Co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are keen to combine their shares and maintain a 60% stake, while selling off the other 40%, but Rhone want assurances that this will not happen written into any potential deal.

Now the Easter target date identified by Liverpool managing director, Christian Purslow, for finding a new equity partner appears to have passed with no new investors showing interest and analysts in the City are speculating over the possible price of the club if they do not finish in the top four at the end of the season.

Failure to qualify for the Champions League would be a significant blow financially as it brings an additional £20 million annual revenue and the value of the club - currently at £500 million - could be damaged, with any new investors able to get a cut-price deal if they wait a few months more.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.