A report in The Athletic claimed that FSG, who have owned the club since their £300m takeover in October 2010, have invited bids for the club and a sales presentation has been prepared for bidders. But a statement from FSG read: “There have been a number of recent ownership changes and rumors of ownership changes at EPL clubs and inevitably we are regularly asked about Fenway Sports Group’s ownership of Liverpool. “FSG have frequently received expressions of interest from third parties seeking to become shareholders in Liverpool. FSG has said in the past that under the right terms and conditions we would consider new shareholders if it was in the best interests of Liverpool as a club. “FSG remains fully committed to Liverpool’s success, both on and off the pitch.” Liverpool is mainly owned by John W Henry, along with FSG chairman Tom Werner. Image: Liverpool owner John W. Henry with Jurgen Klopp Under FSG ownership, Liverpool have won the Premier League twice, the Champions League, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup. The club has also won the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the Community Shield in that time. FSG also owns Major League Baseball’s Boston Red Sox and the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins. Supporters group Spirit of Shankly have written to Liverpool seeking clarification on FSG’s current position. A statement read: “We have seen reports today that FSG have put Liverpool FC up for sale. “Spirit of Shankly has written to LFC for clarification and will await a response before commenting. However, we expect both the Supporters Board and SOS to be involved in some part of the process so that supporters are front and center of each sale and the first thoughts of prospective owners”. Earlier this year, Russian Roman Abramovich completed the sale of Chelsea to an investment group led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in a deal that puts the total takeover value at £4.25bn.
Analysis: No “for sale” sign yet, but investment is welcome
Image: Mohamed Salah is one of the players to sign for Liverpool under FSG ownership
Sky Sports News’ Vinny O’Connor at Anfield: “We have seen Liverpool’s owners open to outside investment in the past. Remember, in 2021 FSG effectively sold 11 per cent to RedBird Capital Partners for around £650m and they reiterated their stance that they are open to outside investment, but also they confirmed that commitment to Liverpool and its success. “This follows reports that they have effectively put Liverpool in the past with reports suggesting they are inviting bids for the club with major investment banks Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley brought in to help the valuation process. Since May this year, Liverpool valued at around £3.89 billion by Forbes. “However [in FSG’s statement]they did not address reports that investment banks had been brought in to view the valuation process. “But look at what FSG have achieved with Liverpool here. They spent £300m on the takeover in 2010 and it’s very different to what it was then. “They hired Jurgen Klopp in 2015 and since then they have been able to bring a much-coveted and long-awaited Premier League title. There was the Champions League, the League Cup, an FA Cup, a Club World Cup, and a European Super Cup. Use Chrome browser for more accessible video player FREE WATCH: Highlights from Liverpool’s Premier League win over Tottenham “Add to that, the main stand [at Anfield] cost £110m, the £80m Anfield Road development also continues apace. Combined with the main stand, they will add around 16,000 seats in terms of capacity since taking over the club. “Look at what they spent in relation to the players they bought too. Alisson, van Dijk, Salah, Mane and the players who left – Coutinho cost Barcelona over £130m, Suarez goes for £75m also further investment this summer with Darwin Nunez coming in. “There have been difficult times for FSG as an ownership group as well. In 2019, they tried to go with the name ‘Liverpool’, which supporters didn’t like. They made a U-turn after the negative reaction to the proposal to lay off staff during the Covid pandemic. “There was another coup plan to increase ticket prices and again, fans protested and ownership took notice. Last year, John W Henry apologized for Liverpool’s participation in the proposed European Super League. As it stands, it is not a ‘for sale’ sign outside Anfield at the moment, but of course the reiteration that Liverpool and their ownership group are open to outside investment.”
