With preparatory work on a new 61,000-seat stadium finally under way, only days after George Gillett Jr and Tom Hicks, the American tycoons, gained unconditional control of the club, Liverpool's mood was buoyed further yesterday by news of an injury crisis at PSV Eindhoven that threatens to undermine the Dutch team's plans for their Champions League quarter-final against the Merseyside club next month.
Alex, the defender who Chelsea have first option to buy, scored to knock out Arsenal in the previous round of the competition at the Emirates Stadium. He will be ruled out for at least six weeks after tearing his left hamstring in PSV's goalless draw against Excelsior on Sunday.
The Brazilian underwent a scan yesterday to determine the extent of the injury, and a statement by PSV confirmed that he will miss both legs of the tie against Liverpool, the first in the Netherlands on April 3, and the return at Anfield eight days later.
"When he wanted to kick the ball he felt something snap in his leg," Ronald Koeman, the PSV coach, said. "We must wait, but we think that he tore a muscle. If that is the case you would be happy if he can play another game this season."
There was more bad news for Koeman with Arouna Koné, the Ivory Coast striker, also a serious doubt for the first leg after being ruled out for up to four weeks with knee ligament damage suffered in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal last week.
Heurelho Gomes, the goal-keeper, faces a race to be fit as well after injuring a groin while celebrating Alex's equalising goal against Arsenal, although Koeman expects him to be available.
José Manuel Reina, the 24-year-old Liverpool goalkeeper, added to the positive vibes by revealing his willingness to sit down to discuss a new contract with the club in the summer. Not even talk of a renewed approach from Real Madrid for Rafael Beníítez, the manager, amid speculation that Fabio Capello's days at the Bernabéu are numbered, could dampen the optimism at Anfield.
BenÍtez has turned down the overtures of Real once before and Jamie Carragher has no doubt that the manager would snub the Spaniards if they came calling a second time. "He wouldn't get anything better than Liverpool," the England defender said.
"He can buy his own players here. Hopefully we can go on again over the next few years and win more things. All the players enjoy working with him. I'm sure you can see the difference he's made over the last few years, especially in Europe.
"He's one of the best managers around. He proved that at Valencia, and he's already proved it here. Next season we want to push on and do well in the Premiership as well."
Meanwhile, parts of Stanley Park have been fenced off as preparatory work begins on the new stadium adjacent to Anfield. Boreholes are in the process of being dug to check ground conditions in the park and compounds are being set up to store equipment.
Gillett and Hicks, who are quietly optimistic of gaining complete control of the club by the end of the month, view the new stadium as the centrepiece of their £470 million takeover.
