Liverpool fans post hatred of owners on billboards

the Liverpool fans group Spirit of Shankly have taken their opposition to American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks on to the streets of the city with a billboard campaign.

Several huge posters have sprung up on major routes into Liverpool with the message "Tom and George, Debt, Lies, Cowboys. Not welcome here."

It is the latest venture in the group's campaign to pressure Gillett and Hicks into ending their tumultuous reign which has been plagued by financial constraints and a failure to start work on a promised new 60,000-capacity stadium in Stanley Park.

"We, as fans, are unhappy with Gillett and Hicks and this is part of the campaign to show they are not welcome," the Spirit of Shankly spokesman Jay McKenna said.

"Previously the protests were limited to match days but we are doing everything we can and decided to expand it to other areas. There are finances available to us and we feel this is worthwhile."

McKenna, however, dismissed any possibility of SOS linking up with their Manchester United counterparts – who are also unhappy at the level of debt the American Glazer family have brought to their club – in a joint protest at the Premier League match between the two sides at Old Trafford on 21 March. "It is a complete non-starter," he said. "The idea that Liverpool and Manchester United fans will walk down the same road together is never going to happen."

The Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, has revealed that his full-back Fabio Aurelio will be out of action for three weeks with a thigh problem. The Brazilian was forced off during Sunday's victory over Blackburn Rovers. Daniel Agger also picked up an injury against Rovers but may be be available for the game at Wigan on Monday.

Liverpool defender Fabio Aurelio will be out for around three weeks with a thigh injury