Liverpool’s bitter, farcical sales process came to an end two weeks ago, with their £300m sale to New England Sports Ventures (NESV).

But, as their new owners discovered within 48 hours when the Reds crashed embarrassingly to the Blues of Everton, the work to restore Liverpool as a team and a club is only just beginning.

Subsequent results, a second consecutive goalless away draw in the Europa League and a home EPL win over Blackburn, offered hope to beleaguered manager Roy Hodgson in particular, especially with out-of-form Spanish striker Fernando Torres scoring the winner against Rovers.

 

But stories persist that Fernando Torres and his compatriot, goalkeeper Pepe Reina are “wantaway players in the January transfer window,” with Reina the subject of particularly feverish speculation.

New club co-owner Tom Werner has been more visible than the identified figurehead of NESV’s bid, John W. Henry.

Henry missed the Blackburn game through illness. But Werner has had a high profile anyway, including issuing the dreaded “vote of confidence” to Hodgson.

Hours before the Everton defeat, Werner told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Sportsweek programme: “We have a lot of confidence in Roy. Nobody can be pleased with the start of the season but the club ought to gel.

“I think the one prescription for disaster is to lurch to the left and lurch to the right. We see no reason why Roy can’t be our coach this year and in the future. We’re certainly going to give him time.”

Hodgson will not be given, not yet anyway, a huge transfer budget. NESV’s examination of Liverpool’s books has led them to a cautious initial view of transfer policy, with Henry saying: “We have to be more efficient. When we spend a dollar it has to be wisely.”

And, in a perceived dig at past transfer policy, Henry added: “We cannot afford player contracts that do not make long-term sense.”

A young Liverpool selection held Serie A side Napoli to a 0-0 draw in the Europa League, taking an important step towards the competition’s knock-out stages.

However, the trip was marred by the stabbings of three Liverpool fans in Naples. The injured fans were all released from hospital after short stays.

Liverpool grabbed their second EPL win of the season, 2-1 against Blackburn. Torres has now scored the winning goal in both victories, having half-volleyed the Reds to victory last Sunday.

Hodgson has warned potential suitors off keeper Pepe Reina, who has been strongly linked with a move to Manchester United. Hodgson told the Liverpool Echo newspaper:

“Ferguson…might want Pepe Reina because he is the best around. But we do not want to sell him. He is the lifeblood of this team.”

Striker Dirk Kuyt looks set to make an earlier-than-expected comeback from his three-week-old ankle problem, with reports suggesting he could be fit for the Anfield clash with Chelsea on November 7^th.

Meanwhile right-back Glen Johnson has a slim chance of recovering from the thigh knock in time for Liverpool’s EPL trip to Bolton this Sunday afternoon.