Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has confirmed that he met billionaire Robert Kraft on a recent trip to the United States, although he refused to confirm that the pair discussed a possible cash investment by Kraft in the Premiership club.

Parry spoke to the Kraft family, who own New England Patriots NFL team, about Liverpool’s proposed new stadium.

“I’ve known them since 2001 and had an invitation to visit the Gillette stadium, one of the USA’s few privately-funded stadia,” he said.

“It gave us a chance to discuss the way they funded the ground’s construction.

“Being an international break, it was a convenient time to accept the invitation and it proved an interesting trip.

“It was hardly a secret mission. I attended an NFL match with 80,000 spectators.”

The European champions are still committed to building a new ground, but with costs escalating from an original £80m to a projected £150m, it is understood the Liverpool board think outside investment is inevitable.

They could be tempted to go down the same route as Arsenal who have agreed to call their soon-to-be completed new ground the Emirates Stadium as part of a 15-year sponsorship deal.

Liverpool have been linked with fresh investment on a number of occasions, most notably when Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shiniwatra offered £60m for a 30% stake in the club, but to date, no extra funding has been forthcoming.

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