When Liverpool were put up for sale last year, Fenway Sports Group promised to run the club in the same way they usually would. However, that certainly hasn’t been the case.
As per David Lynch’s report for This Is Anfield, the Reds’ American owners have switched their focus onto securing an incredible return on the investment they made into the club.
Jurgen Klopp has not been given the money needed to help alleviate the issues in his squad, and this was particularly evident throughout the January transfer window.
“Liverpool aren’t close to falling foul of Financial Fair Play rules and remain in rude health financially, so it can only be their owners’ desire to keep the books lean in order to attract outright buyers that is limiting spending,” Lynch wrote for This Is Anfield.
“It still feels like FSG’s preferred outcome at this early stage would be a full sale, even amid claims that they are leaning toward relinquishing only a minority stake.
“That is because, as far as external investors are concerned, the appeal of the latter option is difficult to fathom, while president Mike Gordon would not have stepped back so suddenly from day-to-day duties for such a minor change in structure.
“Clues as to FSG’s true intentions can also be found in the club’s most recently published accounts, which appear to show debt repayment being prioritised over making cash available for transfers.
“If this were an ownership group committed to the long term, that would not be happening, and this reality only spells out how utterly vital it is that Liverpool’s future is resolved as soon as possible.”
FSG’s intentions are clear – Liverpool cannot rebuild with John Henry in charge
With Liverpool sitting ninth in the Premier League table, it is evident there is something deeply wrong at Anfield this season.
As with any big team looking to challenge for the league title, clubs are expected to reinforce their squad each window.
However, that has never been the case for Liverpool. Although Klopp has always said he’s happy with the players he has, additions have never been so clearly needed, as they have in recent months.
The Reds look incredibly poor in midfield, yet nothing was done to rectify this last summer or in January.
FSG would argue they brought Cody Gakpo in, for £37m last month, having already welcomed Darwin Nunez over the summer.
However, following Sadio Mane’s departure, along with injuries to Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino, bringing in players is what you’re meant to do in that situation. It is not a luxury which the Reds are the only side being treated to.
Clearly ignoring the fact that Liverpool look set to miss out on Europe this season, it appears FSG don’t really care at all.
Therefore, if the club are going to go through a much needed rebuild, it will not be with FSG at the helm. The takeover needs to progress now, as things aren’t looking good on Merseyside.