London: Liverpool's principal owner John Henry has admitted the club may have to abolish plans to refurbish Anfield and move to a new stadium instead if they are to generate the commercial revenues required to match Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.
On the day City announced their unique, £400 million (Dh2.36 billion) tie-in with Etihad, Henry outlined on Twitter the dilemma facing Liverpool as they race to keep up.
"[Remaining at] Anfield would certainly be our first choice," wrote the 61 year-old. "But realities may dictate otherwise. So many obstacles..."
Those obstacles — the city council's preference for relocation to the long-awaited stadium on Stanley Park, the need to close portions of Anfield if work were to take place, the ground's lack of corporate facilities and space in which to expand — mean Fenway Sports Group, the club's parent company, are now leaning away from revamping Liverpool's present home.
They must make a decision before September when planning permission on the site earmarked for Liverpool's new home on nearby Stanley Park expires.
FSG's ability to attract a naming-rights partner to offset building costs and boost revenues in the face of Uefa's looming Financial Fair Play legislation will prove crucial.
Standard Chartered, the club's shirt sponsor, are thought to be one of a number of companies provisionally sounded out over such a deal.
Immediate funds
Meanwhile, Liverpool's attempts to raise immediate funds are likely to accelerate after it emerged Raul Meireles is not joining the pre-season tour of China and Malaysia.
Liverpool are ready to listen to offers for the Portuguese as he is one of the Anfield side's few valuable — but expendable — assets.
Inter Milan, Fiorentina and Juventus are monitoring the situation.
Full-back John Flanagan, 18, signed an improved contract on Friday.
