Reds realistic over top four ambitions

Liverpool owner John Henry says Brendan Rodgers will not be under pressure if he fails to secure Champions League football this season.



The Northern Irishman has been handed the reins at Anfield after Kenny Dalglish parted ways with the club following a mixed season which saw the Reds win the Carling Cup but finish eighth in the league.



Rodgers has been brought in on a long-term deal to try and get Liverpool back on level terms with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea.



The Reds have qualified for the Europa League this season but it isn't the European competition they want to be in, with the Anfield faithfully desperate for Champions League football.



Having finished 18 points off fourth-placed Arsenal last season, Henry says the club will remain realistic for their aims for the 2012-13 campaign and says a top four finish isn't the minimum expected of Rodgers.



"We don't want to put any pressure on Brendan by saying you have got to make the Champions League this year," said Henry.



"Of course he wants to make the Champions League, we all do and so does every team in the Premier League.



"I thought it was realistic last season but we were so far off that pace.

"At this point we're just trying to get things stabilised - that should be one of our goals."



Rodgers is slowly altering the Liverpool squad to fit his style of play, with Swansea's Joe Allen expected to join him at Anfield as his second summer signing after the arrival of Fabio Borini while Clint Dempsey also remains a target.



Punters looking to use their free bet might fancy backing Rodgers's revoultion to secure at least a top six finish in the Premier League this season.

Liverpool owner hints at Anfield redevelopment

Liverpool owner John Henry has hinted the club could be set to redevelop Anfield, saying it is a "myth" that a new stadium will improve the Reds' financial fortunes.

The feasibility of building a new ground on Stanley Park has long been mooted by Fenway Sports Group (FSG).

But Henry says a new stadium is not vital for Liverpool's long-term future.

"A long-term myth has existed about the financial impact of a new stadium," he said in an email to theanfieldwrap.com.



"A belief has grown that Liverpool FC must have a new stadium to compete with [Manchester] United, Arsenal and others.

"No-one has ever addressed whether or not a new stadium is rational."

FSG is believed to have long favoured the remodelling of Anfield and was faced with a similar situation with one of their other clubs, the Boston Red Sox.

After conducting a feasibility study for around a year, FSG opted to redevelop the 100-year-old Fenway Park and Henry hinted last year he was keen to do something similar with Anfield, stating that it would be hard to replicate the atmosphere generated at the stadium.

The American also believes moving to Stanley Park would likely result in higher ticket prices and feels the best method for the club to compete financially with the Premier League's leading sides would be to increase their worldwide commercial revenue streams instead.

"New stadiums increase revenues primarily by raising ticket prices - especially premium seating," added Henry.

"While a new stadium or an expansion of Anfield is beneficial over the long term for the club, the financial impact of adding seats and amenities should be put into perspective.

"That's why I say that it is a myth that stadium issues are going to magically transform LFC's fortunes.

"Building new or refurbishing Anfield is going to lead to an increase from £40m of match-day revenue to perhaps £60-70m if you don't factor in debt service.

"That would certainly help but it's just one component of LFC's long-term fortunes.

"Our future is based not on a stadium issue but on building a strong football club that can compete with anyone in Europe. This will be principally driven financially by our commercial strengths globally."



• LFC stadium: Timeline of events

2002: Plans announced to build a 55,000-seater stadium on Stanley Park

2004: Planning permission approved for Stanley Park

2005: Groundshare ideas with Everton rejected

2006: Council give go-ahead to proceed with new stadium

2006: European Regional Development Fund awards grant towards Stanley Park improvements

2007: Redevelopment statement issued that new stadium work will begin in May

2007: New Reds owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks order stadium redesign

2007: Reds reveal plans for 60,000-seater stadium on Stanley Park

2008: Liverpool confirm building of new stadium will be subject to a delay

2009: Liverpool announce new stadium plans could start in April 2010



2010: Groundshare ideas with Everton discussed

2011: News that planning obstacles could affect redevelopment of Anfield

2012: Liverpool announce plans to continue with new stadium at Stanley Park

2012: Discussions over redeveloping Anfield announced