Liverpool's prospective owners plan to attend Merseyside derby

New England Sports Ventures, together with the Liverpool board members Martin Broughton, Christian Purslow and Ian Ayre, are confident of gaining control of the Anfield club within the next week.

Liverpool face their local rivals Everton on 17 October with the manager Roy Hodgson, who has been assured his position is safe following a change of ownership, under pressure for a result following a dreadful start to the season. And members of NESV, owners of the Boston Red Sox baseball team, have told Broughton, the chairman, they expect to pay a personal visit to the emotive game at Goodison if the deal goes through.