Insiders at Liverpool have privately admitted that the sale of Manchester United impacted the attractiveness of a takeover at Anfield,.
The Glazer family put United up for sale just a couple of weeks after FSG were said to be looking for a change at Liverpool.
This seemed like it could cause the Reds problems at the time. And as per a report in The Athletic this morning, that’s exactly what happened.
The pool of potential buyers and/or investors is described as having been ‘shallow’ even without competition from United to worry about. With an arguably even bigger fish wading into the seas, the spotlight is said to have been taken away from Liverpool.
Privately, this was reportedly acknowledged as a ‘hindrance’ to FSG’s chances of securing a buyer.
The sense of urgency surrounding United’s sale is claimed to have ‘turned the heads’ of those potentially interested. In particular, any possible Qatari-based bid is said to have been ‘stifled’ by the Old Trafford club.
FSG biding their time in Liverpool sale
For Liverpool fans of a certain persuasion, yesterday will have been a tough day. Gearing up for new ownership and dreaming of unlimited transfer funds, they’ve been brought sharply back down to earth.
But for another portion, this will be decidedly welcome news. Change isn’t always a good thing when it comes to ownership in football. In many way, it’s very often a case of ‘the devil you know.’
For yes, FSG have made many mistakes during their 13 years at Anfield. There is also unquestionably a need to provide greater backing to Jurgen Klopp in the market. Those things aside though, they have been very good for Liverpool Football Club.
That’s a view that will no doubt be debated long into the night wherever you share it. Right now though, is there really anyone you can categorically say would be better for the club?
A Qatari backed bid is definitely an interesting proposition. Should they be successful in their bid to take over United, they’ll definitely improve things there. But it would also come fraught with complications, no less the fact that any ownership may be answerable to PSG.
So, for now, it’s smart for FSG to put things on ice. If they ever were looking at a full sale of Liverpool, United’s moment of blowing them out of the water was never going to be the right time to do it.