Jamie Carragher has namechecked Newcastle United as part of Liverpool's growing 'worry' if a Qatari-led or state-led takeover of Manchester United is completed. The sale process at Old Trafford at this point remains unclear, with reports suggesting a series of meetings are now due to be held with prospective buyers.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani are the only confirmed bidders at this stage, with the latter raising familiar questions over the ownership of clubs in England. Newcastle have again been the subject of headlines in recent days on the same subject, with a US court dispute between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour thrusting Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund into the spotlight once more.
The Magpies have been dubbed the 'richest club in the world', and Eddie Howe has so far been backed with investment in the transfer market in the region of £250 million. However, the head coach and sporting director Dan Ashworth have both warned this level of spending is currently unsustainable, with the former outlining the club's potential 'handcuff' by Financial Fair Play (FFP) if they make the wrong moves.
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Former Liverpool defender Carragher believes Liverpool 'will be fearing' they could be left behind if Qatari investors assume control at their arch-rivals. However, the Sky Sports pundit has also outlined why clubs such as Newcastle looking to make the correct moves off the pitch can still succeed despite the spending of others or FFP limitations.
Newcastle have confirmed the appointments of Ashworth along with chief executive Darren Eales and chief commercial officer Peter Silverstone since the takeover, with an extensive behind-the-scenes rebuild still ongoing. Carragher points to the Red Devils and Everton in recent seasons as examples of why 'great expertise' means more than 'massive money'.
He told the Overlap: "It is a worry for Liverpool if Qatari ownership or state ownership comes into Manchester United. You have Newcastle, you have Chelsea right now, and Liverpool will be fearing they will fall behind.
"But what Liverpool have always done with this ownership and this is why I'm never critical of them... in an ideal world you're Manchester City where you've got great expertise and massive money. Manchester United have had huge money, no expertise and Liverpool have been the opposite with great expertise and not the revenues.
"I always think I'd rather have the expertise than the huge revenues without the expertise. I look at Everton's situation compared to Brighton, Liverpool over the last five or six years compared to Manchester United.
"But in an ideal world, would I want owners who would have the money of [Manchester] United and Chelsea or Man City and the expertise? That's when no-one can get near you."
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