Fenway Sport Group’s latest statement has caused a stir among Liverpool supporters.
A report in The Athletic on Monday claimed that FSG, who are led by John W. Henry, have “put Liverpool up for sale”, a little over 12 years since their takeover. The American group, then named New England Sports Ventures, purchased the club in October 2010 for £300million.
Influential American business publication Forbes now suggests the club are worth £3.6billion. Soon after the reports, FSG issued a statement to the ECHO outlining their current stance regarding the ownership of Liverpool.
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The statement read: "There have been a number of recent changes of ownership and rumours of changes in ownership at EPL clubs and inevitably we are asked regularly about Fenway Sports Group’s ownership in Liverpool.
"FSG has frequently received expressions of interest from third parties seeking to become shareholders in Liverpool. FSG has said before 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 the success of Liverpool, both on and off the pitch."
This is not the first time that FSG have issued a statement with the subject of Liverpool’s ownership. In August 2018, the American owners confirmed that they were willing to seek out further investment into the club.
However, a little over four years ago there was arguably a different tone in the way FSG issued their statement - which may indicate their stance has subtly shifted.
“FSG have been clear and consistent: the club is not for sale,” said a Liverpool statement in August 2018.
“But what the ownership has said, again clearly and consistently, is that under the right terms and conditions we would consider taking on a minority investor, if such a partnership was to further our commercial interests in specific market places and in line with the continued development and growth of the club and the team.”
Four years back, the FSG statement began with the clear declaration that Liverpool was “not for sale”. That message was nowhere to be seen in such stark terms in FSG’s most recent statement.
FSG’s new release this afternoon also references the “recent changing of ownership” at Premier League clubs. This is seemingly in reference to the respective takeovers of Chelsea and Newcastle United, which have been completed within the last 12 months.
Todd Boehly took over Chelsea during the summer, while Newcastle were bought by an investment group led by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) which also comprises of PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media.
In 2018, FSG's message also said they would "consider taking on a minority investor" - whereas the statement released today could be seen as more open-ended in its invitation to potential "new shareholders".
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