Huang blames Broughton for failed bid

Kenny Huang decided to withdraw from the race to buy Liverpool because of his disillusionment with chairman Martin Broughton and the club's board over the timescale and pace of a deal, it has emerged.

It is believed Huang was unimpressed at Liverpool's unwillingness to set a general date for the completion of a sale.

He is also thought to have been concerned by Broughton's insistence that the board should reserve the right to accept an 11th-hour bid from another candidate even if the terms of sale had been agreed.

Broughton has been persistent in his assertion that he will not be forced into rushing a sale by any candidate.

Huang, the only contender to buy the debt-laden club who had made his intentions plain, issued a statement on Friday night.

In it he revealed that he had informed Liverpool's board that he no longer wished to be considered a candidate to buy out the stakes of current owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.