Shankly would have approved - Parry

Rick Parry is adamant the great Bill Shankly would have approved of the takeover of Liverpool by two American tycoons.

Rick Parry is adamant the great Bill Shankly would have approved of the takeover of Liverpool by two American tycoons.

George Gillett and Tom Hicks' £470million takeover means work is now expected to start on the new 60,000-seater Stanley Park stadium within the next two months, with the new owners also considering selling the naming rights on the ground.

With the emphasis on tradition at Anfield, the American duo raised eyebrows by referring to the famous old club as a "franchise" and "Liverpool Reds".

"George maybe made that mistake a couple of times," said Parry. "If I went over there I might make the odd linguistic mistake."

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But the Anfield chief executive remains convinced the legendary former Reds manager would have approved of the deal.

"Bill Shankly was one of the great innovators of all time," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"It was a masterstroke by George to bring in Tom Hicks as his partner. It made it (the bid) much stronger, much more compelling."

Liverpool have become the latest Premiership club to fall into foreign hands but Parry does not know why more investors from these shores have not looked at buying into the top flight.

"Clearly we have been on the look-out for three years. There have been other clubs for sale, maybe they have overlooked opportunities in their own back yards, maybe the grass looks greener elsewhere. You will have to ask British businessmen."