Amazing things are happening in football

Qatari telecom firm Ooredoo have been linked with a multi-million pound sponsorship deal with Liverpool, which could see Anfield renamed.

Standard Chartered, Liverpool's current shirt sponsors, have 18 months remaining on the £20million per year deal they agreed in September 2009 and are currently in talks with the Merseyside club about extending those terms.

Liverpool had granted Standard Chartered a period of exclusivity to broker new improved terms.


Stadium: Anfield Stadium

But Ooredoo, who recently appointed Lionel Messi as an ambassador for their brand, have claimed they have received a tender from Liverpool and they are eager to become associated with the Barclays Premier League.

A spokesman for Ooredoo said on Al Jazeera's website: 'The goal was to sponsor a big English club with a huge history. Our search included Arsenal & Manchester United but the former two have long sponsorship deals and the same applies to Manchester City so Liverpool is the only club available right now.

'We want to sponsor the club in full. We want to sponsor the stadium (possibly rename it) as well as the club's kits. Our goal is to reach the Asian markets where the Premier League has an enormous fan base.

'We received the tender from the club a few days ago and we are currently in the process of due diligence and we are studying each aspect of the study.

'It is a dual interest, Liverpool needs the money to compete with the European heavyweights and we want to expand our brand to reach new markets via football.'

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