(Telecompaper) S&P has put Vodafone Group's BBB+ debt ratings on Creditwatch negative, suggesting the operator will have difficulty reducing leverage after completing the takeover of Liberty Global's assets in Germany and Eastern Europe. The ratings agency said the deal is likely to receive regulatory approval, and the additional debt will see Vodafone's leverage peak at 3.4-3.5x adjusted EBITDA in fiscal 2020.