Football: Go for Morgan before Reds become relic - Hansen.
FORMER Liverpool captain Alan Hansen today insisted Liverpool must find new investment immediately or risk becoming a footballing relic.And he urged the Reds to accept former Redrow Homes tycoon Steve Morgan's money if they want to challenge the elite once again.
Morgan withdrew his latest offer last month after becoming increasingly frustrated at being rebuffed.
But Hansen said in a radio interview being broadcast on Five Live before tonight's game: ``Investment is an absolute priority and Steve is a fan. He's got the money and the clout and I think he'd be perfect.
``The last thing you want as a Liverpool fan is to be submerged in mediocrity.
The former Scottish international defender turned Match of The Day pundit explained: ``It always used to be `first is first and the rest is nowhere'. That sort of thinking is not there now.
``Don't get me wrong. We're certainly not a relic yet, but we're nearer to it now than we were 15 years ago, and that's the danger to me. ''
The ex-skipper (pictured) also said that if nothing happened with investment and the Reds lost Steven Gerrard, it would be `all over' for Liverpool.
Only yesterday Hansen spoke in forthright fashion about Saturday's defeat to Southampton, describing Liverpool's performance in the first half as the worst he had seen in the 14 years since he left the club.
He said new boss Rafael Benitez would have to improve things to keep the fans on his side.
He said of his old club: ``They've got to go nine or 10 games undefeated to get back into contention for that fourth place and they don't look like a team who can do that.
``The worst-case scenario is that they don't finish fourth and the captain goes in the summer.
``If you look at Steven Gerrard he is the heart and soul of the place. You take him out of the team and see what hap-pens. ''
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| Title Annotation: | Sport |
|---|---|
| Publication: | Liverpool Echo (Liverpool, England) |
| Date: | Jan 25, 2005 |
| Words: | 323 |
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