The future of Liverpool and Everton has been questioned by Premiership powerbroker Keith Harris.

The man responsible for masterminding several foreign takeovers of Premier League clubs believes Liverpool co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett will face serious problems if they cannot pay back their £350m debt.

He is searching a for a buyer for Merseyside rivals Everton but fears they are also in trouble with no obvious white knight on the horizon.

"Liverpool's debt is due in January, with maybe a six-month extension," said Harris, addressing a meeting of footballing financiers in Zurich, .

"The two banks which are the principal lenders, Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia, are two of those that have suffered.

"Whether they want to lend it again or not, they may not be able to.

"As for Everton, there is no progress at all. The demographics of Liverpool as an area are not hugely compelling.

"It has never been more difficult to find buyers. It's no longer a question of price negotiation, it's should we?

"People are wondering if now is the time to spend."