Once again there was a story in the papers this week predicting doom and gloom for Liverpool FC on the investment front. The journalist in question has a reputation for getting investment stories completely wrong – either he's making them all up or he's far too trusting of sources who make it all up for him. So bad has his reputation become that most Reds dismissed his story immediately. It's a miracle his editor is yet to spot this, because it's not like he writes for one of the Sunday tabloids that fill their sports pages with fiction every week. I just hope this journalist never gets offered some old diaries from a wartime German leader called Adolf.
PA Sport decided to speak to their source at DIC about the report, and they said straight away that the story was nonsense. DIC haven't even bought the club yet, haven't even worked out how much they'll pay if they do, never mind work out what they'll do with the club in seven years' time.
The source said: "What DIC is doing is planning to make sure that, if a deal is done, Liverpool has the best possible funding in place going forward under DIC stewardship. This is particularly important as we would need to get on with the stadium early in 2007 and it takes time to sort out the necessary financing. This is also important in terms of making sure cash is available for the ongoing strengthening of the playing squad. Should DIC acquire the club, Liverpool will be well run, both on and off the pitch, and we are currently laying the groundwork to ensure that will be the case."
The article on Sunday claimed there'd been a document leaked from DIC, but the source said no such document could even exist at this stage: "DIC has not yet formally made an offer, never mind completed a deal. Certainly there are no plans to exit an acquisition we have not even bought yet. It is a very serious investor with considerable resources at its disposal and the ability to take a long-term view. Equally, we believe that we understand the responsibilities that come with owning Liverpool Football Club."
The final point, if true, is also more reassuring for Reds fans: "DIC has made it clear that, should a deal be concluded, it would not interfere in the day-to-day running of the club."