• Premier League

Liverpool owners get advice from Utd & Arsenal

ESPN staff
April 18, 2013
Liverpool's owners have occasionally turned to their rivals for advice © PA Photos
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Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre has revealed club owner John W Henry has approached Premier League rivals Manchester United and Arsenal for tips on running the Anfield club.

Liverpool languishes in seventh position in the table, a massive 31 points behind league leaders United while Arsenal sits 10 points above the Reds.

And in a bid to move Liverpool further up the table, Ayres told Sports Illustrated that both Henry and chairman Tom Werner have spoken to United and Arsenal respective chief executives David Gill and Ivan Gazidis about ways to improve the club.

"(Henry) and Tom are both very open in their approach," said Ayre. "They'll contact David at United and Ivan at Arsenal - 'What do you think?' That's healthy.

"'Let's get a rounded view of the sport and how we should be doing things.

"It's better to have an owner who is taking a genuine interest and is well-informed, rather than someone who says, 'I was successful in baseball, so I can do that in soccer.'

"They both put a lot of time into the team and into the game. That bodes well for Liverpool."

Ayre was also quick to quash rumours Henry was thinking of opting out of the club, with the owner seldom seen at Anfield in recent times.

"There have been quite a few comments because John hasn't been to a game this season," said Ayre.

"As is always the case, the media then spun that into John Henry hasn't been to a game and is losing interest.

"That's nonsense. Tom's been to quite a few and that's part of them sharing that responsibility. It's about them finding that balance. We don't have to have John there for it to be a success.

"We speak every week. We have a management call. We talk through issues. John and Tom are very involved in that. That's the way it should be.

"Of course, fans don't see that. They just think he hasn't been to Liverpool. But Tom has been to Liverpool."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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