Report: Liverpool could spark huge backlash as FSG enter £3bn takeover talks with Saudi and Qatari consortiums

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Fenway Sports Group have entered talks with two Middle East-based consortiums over a £3billion takeover of Liverpool FC, according to The Mail on Sunday.

As per the latest report, representatives of consortiums from Saudi Arabia and Qatar have expressed an interest in buying the Merseyside club. They have approached FSG director Mike Gordon to begin negotiations with a clear initial interest in mind.

It is understood that both groups are private companies, rather than state-owned entities. However, it is said the two consortiums have close links with their nation’s ruling families.

Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia’s Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal encouraged private bids for both Jurgen Klopp’s side and Manchester United.

FSG enter talks with two Middle East-based consortiums

With the club up for sale and with the recently announced departures of sporting director Julian Ward and director of research Ian Graham, things aren’t running smoothly behind the scenes at Anfield.

Although FSG will want to take their time selling the club, a quick turnaround would do everyone at Liverpool a load of good. However, entertaining state-linked buyers would likely cause the Reds more damage in the long run.

When it was announced Newcastle United had officially been taken over by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, there was outroar amongst other Premier League fans.

Those from Merseyside were highly critical of the purchase, due to the connotations that arise with state-owned buyers.

With such a response to a club not of their own, the reaction to a similar situation transpiring at Anfield would likely cause outrage amongst supporters.

The division between the prospective owners and the fans would be huge, with the relationship heavily strained from the start.

Therefore, this news may come as a blow to the Liverpool faithful, who will be torn over everything going on at the club at the moment.

Whilst the Reds would be able to compete financially with the likes of Manchester City, at what cost against the city’s and club’s values would this come by – something many fans would rather not be explored at all.