Liverpool says it's a big club -- America thinks so, too

	George Gillett (left) and Tom Hicks become the third set of American ownership in the English Premier League. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
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The Limey has winged its way across the pond to bring you news of the title race in the English Premier League, an American takeover at Liverpool and yet another installment in the debate on video replay.

Is Liverpool a big club? The evidence certainly suggests so. The team from the Merseyside has won 18 English titles, five European Cups and seven FA Cups and is always among the top finishers in England. But the third-place Reds are fighting to stay afloat this season, even as their manager says they still deserve respect.

They've certainly found it in the U.S. On Tuesday, American tycoons George Gillett and Tom Hicks agreed to a $431 million takeover deal for the club, including $89 million to cover Liverpool's debts. Funding for Liverpool's forthcoming 61,000-seat stadium has also been secured, as well as a rumored $300 million war chest for new players.

Both men are experienced team owners -- Hicks owns the National Hockey League's Dallas Stars and Major League Baseball's Texas Rangers, Gillett the NHL's Montreal Canadiens.

Reaction to the deal in the city has been mixed, with some supporters welcoming the cash injection, while others fear an Americanization of the club. Already Gillett has said that he will consider selling the naming rights to Anfield stadium, and has referred to the club as a "franchise" and "Liverpool Reds." With the city having a reputation for high crime rates, some have postured that Gillett and Hicks might consider re-branding the team as the Liverpool Stealers.

Gillett and Hicks will be hoping that increased success, better marketing and the higher gate receipts will increase turnover at the club and improve Liverpool's ranking as the club with the 10th-biggest revenue in the world. That figure comes courtesy of an annual report by Deloitte, which was released on Wednesday and reflects revenue from the '05-06 season (more on this later).

On the field this season, Liverpool is struggling to make their own pitch to its new American owners as the title race is slipping away. Just over a week ago, there was the faintest glimmer of hope that the EPL race might morph itself from the two-team procession we were growing accustomed to into an all-too-rare four-headed beast.

Certainly, Liverpool's form was making Chelsea's top-two finish less assured. However, a diving winker, a return to ruthless Chelsea efficiency and draws for both Liverpool and Arsenal have reaffirmed the top two's dominance.

Manchester United is six points ahead of Chelsea, and 13 and 17 points above Liverpool and Arsenal, respectively. United scored its first goal in last Sunday's 4-0 away win at Spurs in controversial fashion with Cristiano Ronaldo "falling" in the penalty area under Steed Malbranque's "challenge." The renowned winker dispatched the penalty, collecting $800 from his boss in the process. Sir Alex Ferguson had bet the 21-year-old that he wouldn't score 15 goals this season.

United made light work of an impressive Tottenham side and even had the audacity to put utility Irishman John O'Shea in goal for the last 10 minutes after Edwin van der Sar sustained a broken nose via Robbie Keane's knee. The Reds' irresistible form -- particularly that of Ronaldo -- the blossoming partnership between Wayne Rooney and Henrik Larsson, and the consistency in the starting XI makes them overwhelming favorites for the title.

That said, after two straight wins, Chelsea is still hanging onto Man Utd's coattails -- just. At a minimum, The Blues need to keep it that way until the two teams meet in what could potentially be a title decider on April 15.