Hollywood bid for Liverpool

Liverpool are bracing themselves for a fresh takeover battle after two US-based film executive confirmed their interest in buying the club.

Mike Jefferies, chairman of Los Angeles-based Milkshake Films, is preparing a £100million bid for the club who have already seen off approaches from Steve Morgan, a local businessman, and Thaksin Shinawatra, the Thai prime minister, this year.

Jefferies is believed to want overall control of the club but is prepared to retain the involvement of chairman David Moores, whose family own 51.6 per cent of the club. He said: "We would like to be able to contribute to helping Liverpool become the most successful club in the world again."

Jefferies has been talking to the club for the past six weeks but discussions remain at an early stage. The film executive, currently producing Goal!, a £100m football trilogy to be released next year, is working with Stuart Ford, an entertainment lawyer previously with Miramax films. Although based in America, both were born on Merseyside and want to restore their childhood club to its former glories.

Liverpool's stock has fallen in recent years since they last won the Championship in 1990 and Jefferies and Ford believe the club should pursue a more aggressive commercial strategy to compete with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.

Although they are seeking overall control, they could be prepared to accept a two-stage arrangement giving them a minority stake in the first instance. Any injection of capital would include funding for new players but the future of manager Rafael Benitez, who arrived in the summer from Valencia, is not under threat.