Liverpool are going to be linked with a host of billionaire investors amid news FSG are prepared to sell. But cash isn't always king: ask the club's rivals.
FSG have certainly integrated those valuable qualities throughout their tenure on Merseyside, with the Reds almost becoming a footballing version of the Boston Red Sox over time. If the American owners do decide to sell up, Liverpool supporters should be mindful of whoever takes control. Since Sir Alex Ferguson left his post at Old Trafford in 2013, the Glazers have dedicated over a billion pounds to new players, yet the Manchester club haven’t won a Premier League title since his retirement. When Farhad Moshiri became majority shareholder in 2016, he was committed to spending for the Blues, who hadn’t previously known such wealth having operated under Bill Kenwright. The current owners are commonly associated with shrewd and efficient spending in the transfer market, which is why some fans believe new owners will deliver expensive signings in comparison. After 12 years on Merseyside, it seems Fenway Sports Group (FSG) are willing to consider selling their prized asset for the first time.
Liverpool are expected to give chances to a host of talented youngsters when they face Derby County in the Carabao Cup third round on Wednesday.
Liverpool, of course, went on to lift the trophy, but we can expect a youthful Reds side as they begin their defence of it against League One outfit Derby County at Anfield on Wednesday night. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, Caoimhin Kelleher and Harvey Elliott all earned their stripes that way, while last season saw the likes of Kaide Gordon, Conor Bradley and Tyler Morton given chances to shine. It's that time of year again.
Jürgen Klopp echoed assistant Pep Lijnders in his response to a potential Liverpool takeover, and it suggests an FSG reality that requires careful ...
[The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/3772352/2022/11/08/liverpool-fsg-takeover-jurgen-klopp/), it is claimed that FSG’s Mike Gordon had hoped to delay the news until the break for the [World Cup](https://www.liverpool.com/liverpool-fc-news/features/liverpool-van-dijk-world-cup-25475208). He had been given a little more time to plan his answers, and he doubled down on what Lijnders had said already (again, via the [ECHO](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/jurgen-klopp-liverpool-sale-breaking-25477893)): Instead, Klopp and Lijnders have been given a tricky week to navigate. The situation with FSG cannot be allowed to turn into a circus, distracting Klopp, Lijnders and the players alike. And that, in many ways, is the key. But it was nonetheless interesting to hear the Liverpool assistant manager frame the situation firmly in terms of looking for new investors, rather than an outright buyer. It's nothing new for a club to try to find new investors." This seems to come pretty close to ruling out a full sale. Lijnders was first up to the plate, and the PR battle lines were drawn. (Insert a Taylor Swift 'it's me, hi, I'm the problem, it's me' reference here). And what gave them the confidence to lead with the headline “FSG puts Jürgen Klopp was granted a stay of execution.
Soccernomics author Stefan Szymanski speaks to the ECHO on what he feels the motivation to sell Liverpool might be.
It would be reasonable to think there would be a lot of interest." "I think Henry was bitterly disappointed about the failure of that and I think that is where he realised that it was a cultural thing that he couldn't change. "I never think that the bubble is going to burst, I think that is a crazy phrase. "What might happen is these private equity guys might go in and in five years time realise that there is no money in it. It strikes me that a lot of what happened here is part of it pandemic related. What you also might say is that he has reached the limit of what those things can do. "It's reasonable to think that the market price could be somewhere between £3bn and £4bn. "I think you have to give John Henry credit for being shrewd and I think that he has run the club very well and he has brought in some sensible things. That is a big part of all this, he got a bargain. "I think there are a number of reasons why it would make sense for John Henry to get out at this stage. Bought for £300m it is an asset that has risen by 1,100 per cent in value, a remarkable return that has piqued the interest of investment funds, family offices and independent wealth from across the globe whenever a 'big six' side hits the market. [first by the Athletic](https://theathletic.com/3770928/2022/11/07/fsg-liverpool-for-sale/), that FSG were willing to listen to offers for the club and had engaged the services of major US banks Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to help manage that process, the two firms having been seeking outside investment opportunities for more than a year.