Players' union boss Gordon Taylor has urged the Premier League to put in place procedures to prevent the unseemly events surrounding Liverpool as they seek new owners. After a long-time split, Reds co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are united again - but only in their fight against the remainder of the club's board, who have agreed a sale to New England Sports Ventures, owners of the Boston Red Sox baseball team.
Taking time out from a FIFPro Symposium in Manchester to showcase what giant strides the Professional Footballers' Association has made down the years, Taylor believes the sorry mess should be a wake-up call, both for Liverpool and the Premier League.
"It is a tragedy to see a top-quality club like that in such turmoil," said PFA chief executive Taylor.
"The players will get on with the job but in all my experience, I have never known a club be successful on the pitch if they don't have a settled boardroom.
"When it is so unsettling at the top, it filters down.
"It is not exactly comforting for a manager when the board is split. That reflects on the players."
Taylor contends the Premier League must be certain takeovers are always "for the right reasons".
He said: "We understand businessmen want to make a profit, but you also have to recognise the great part Liverpool FC has played in the history of Merseyside."
Taylor's answer would be to outlaw highly leveraged buy-outs, such as the one Malcolm Glazer used to gain control of Manchester United.
"When you get clubs like Manchester United and Liverpool bought on a mountain of debt, it is a problem," said Taylor.
"I wonder whether we should take a lesson from American sport where takeovers involving a leveraged debt of 20% are not allowed.
"You can understand the frustration of supporters when people buy into their club for no reason other than profit.
"It can't just be about business. There has to be a sporting side, and also a community aspect.
"Whoever eventually gets hold of Liverpool, the Premier League has to be certain those people are doing it for the right reasons; obviously they have to make sure the books are balanced but you want to know they are also looking after the long-term interests of the club."
