A new Managing Director and Glen Johnson's arrival confirmed - but who will depart?

That would probably be a good thing as he'll be working closely with our very own Compo and Glegg, Hicks and Gillett.

The news that the Royal Bank of Scotland seems to have agreed the re-financing of Hicks' and Gillett's loans was not greeted with widespread joy, dancing and merrymaking in the streets of Liverpool 4.

With George Gillett selling off his assets on the other side of the pond for a reported £300m plus, it seems the Americans are determined to settle down for a longer stay than the majority of the supporters will be comfortable with.

There were some press reports a few weeks ago that suggested Hicks and Gillett were privately expressing regret that they had loaded debt on to the club itself and regrets that they had not got on with building the new stadium.

I think we all share similar regrets chaps.

Anyway, joking aside, it seems Mr.Purslow may well add a lot to the management and direction of the club, both immediately and in the longer term.

His CV is impressive to say the least. A Liverpool fan (important) but also hugely experienced at the top levels of business and finance. A fluent Spanish speaker and a Harvard MBA, he has experience in the media, cable and entertainment markets and also in the business of private equity.

To say he looks the right man for the job is an understatement. Welcome to LFC Mr.Purslow, it looks like you have a big task ahead.

Back to matters on the field, the rumours of the possible departures of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano won't go away.

In truth, if they do want to go then let's get on with it. Weeks of will they, won't they, does nobody any good and as far as the supporters are concerned we only want players who want to wear the shirt.

Alonso's gripe about the effect on his wages due to the weakness of the Pound against the Euro rubs people up the wrong way.

Those fortunate enough to have season tickets have just sent in the annual payment and we approach another season of expense following the team. Xabi is a wealthy man and 30% off his substantial wages due to currency fluctuations still leaves him a wealthy man.

Similarly there are rumours involving Mascherano suggesting that his wife has not settled in England, wants to live in a warmer climate etc etc.

I don't remember any reports like that when he couldn't get a game for West Ham?

They are both excellent, world-class players and we will be weaker if they do leave but as I said earlier, we only want players who actually want to wear the shirt.

When a supporter kisses the badge you can be sure they mean it. When a player does you have to wonder.

We still need to strengthen the squad before the new season starts and both Rafa and our new MD have got to find a way to do it. I wish them luck.

Both in finding the right players to add to the squad and in retaining our best.