Liverpool feature in the headline game in football today going up against Real Madrid in the Champions League, with the Champions League the only trophy chance left for the Reds this season.
However, the way their season has gone has exacerbated the need for investment.
Fenway Sports Group released a statement in November saying they were open to outside investment in the club. Reports also claimed that they had enlisted the help of Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to sound out potential investors.
The move fuelled speculation FSG were looking to sell Liverpool after taking over the club in 2010.
However, Liverpool owner John Henry has now rejected all these rumours, insisting the club is not for sale. He has conceded though that talks are ongoing about external investment.
The 73-year-old said in an interview with the Boston Sports Journal (via The Guardian): “Yes. I know there has been a lot of conversation and quotes about LFC, but I keep to the facts: we merely formalized an ongoing process. Will we be in England forever? No. Are we selling LFC? No. Are talking with investors about LFC? Yes. Will something happen there? I believe so, but it won’t be a sale. Have we sold anything in the past 20+ years?”
John Henry’s statement comes as a surprise after all the reports and rumours in the media they were looking to sell the club. It looks that either they were never interested in selling or the offers they received for the club were not good enough to convince them to sell.
What have they achieved under FSG?
Fenway Sports Group took over Liverpool in October 2010. Their previous owners Tom Hicks and George N. Gillett were extremely unpopular among the supporters but FSG brought a stability at the club and appeased the fans with new investment and success on the pitch.
They appointed Jurgen Klopp in 2015 and the German boss has completely changed the fortunes of the club.
Under Klopp, Liverpool lifted the 2019 Champions League trophy after defeating Tottenham Hotspur in the final. The Reds then ended their title drought in the 2019-20 season when they finished 18 points above Manchester City to win the Premier League.
The Merseyside club also lifted an FA Cup as well as winning the Carabao Cup twice during the reign of FSG.
Liverpool’s struggles this season
Jurgen Klopp’s side were chasing a quadruple of trophies last season, but they have seen a great decline this term.
A disastrous 2022-23 season has seen them languishing eighth in the league standings, with seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham.
The Reds have claimed back-to-back wins over Everton and Newcastle United recently but they face a tough battle to finish in the top-four this season.
Meanwhile, their hopes in Europe also don’t look very promising. They will face Real Madrid in the first-leg of the Champions League round of 16 tie at Anfield.
Considering their recent record against Los Blancos, it looks unlikely they will be able to win the tie and proceed to the next round of the tournament.
