American John Henry, whose New England Sports Ventures recently completed the purchase of Liverpool, said stories about Reds stars like goalie Pepe Reina leaving during the January transfer window are "destructive and unwarranted."

"We have recently read stories about our intentions for the forthcoming January transfer window and have a sense of humor about this type of inevitable speculation," he told www.liverpoolfc.tv. "As everyone knows we are new to English football, but not to sport, and we are studying all options. Opportunities and value will drive spending in January and in the future."

The arrival of new ownership in place of Tom Hicks and George Gillett has been welcomed by embattled first-year manager Roy Hodgson.

"It is a very different situation to the one I found myself in at the beginning. There was talk then of staving off administration and having to let players go," he said. "But the new owners coming in has completely changed the face of things and, as far as we are concerned, their statement is perfect. It is just what everyone wants to hear."