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Fenway Sports Group, under the leadership of billionaire John Henry, has done a lot to revive the reputation of Liverpool Football Club.
Henry and FSG bought the legendary Premier League club in 2010.
Since that point, Liverpool has won the league for the first time in 30 years, won the UEFA Champions League in the first time in 15 years, won the FA Cup and won the League Cup.
Generally speaking, Liverpool is considered one of the most well-run clubs in all of Europe.
But there’s a problem. While Henry and FSG certainly bear some financial might, they don’t weigh up to some of the Premier League’s power clubs. Henry has been hesitant to spend with nouveau riche clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea.
That hadn’t been a problem until recently. Liverpool used smart, analytic-backed recruitment to shop smarter, not harder. But eventually, cash is king.
And so we find ourselves at Monday’s report from David Ornstein of The Athletic.
🚨 As things stand, Liverpool increasingly unlikely to sign Jude Bellingham this summer. Expected price & financial power of rivals puts #LFC hopes in doubt. Pursuit not off & no firm decisions but sense is #MCFC + #RMFC in stronger position @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/c2bayXcnGq
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) March 20, 2023
Orstein reports that the Reds will likely be priced out of a move for 19-year-old English star Jude Bellingham over the summer. Bellingham, a midfielder, starred for England at the World Cup and could command a record transfer fee.
“The 19-time English champions have probably been more heavily linked than anyone else and manager Jurgen Klopp is a huge admirer. But the anticipated fee, the financial power of rival suitors and their reticence about entering a bidding war at the level expected has cast significant doubt on Liverpool’s chances.” – via The Athletic
Liverpool fans were less than happy about the report. And now they’re calling for Henry to sell the club to someone with more financial might.
So we’ve sent ourselves into decline because we waited an extra year for a player who we now can’t afford to buy?
GET THESE OWNERS OUT OF HERE. https://t.co/ze9bUCEoTU
— 🇦🇫 (@aman66ii) March 20, 2023
Classic FSG! Promise Liverpool fans signings next summer, just to go back on their word and give them an underwhelming transfer window! Liverpool fans should be FSGOUT! Some are, many are not! https://t.co/ufNd5mH4v7
— MARRIAGE VIBES KJ 🇯🇲🙅🏾♂️ (@KJxMilligan) March 20, 2023
The more reason why FSG should give way to capable owners https://t.co/TOpcB89zF0
— Tshepo (@_TSHEP0) March 20, 2023
https://twitter.com/Lecrae__/status/1637749153919844352?s=20
They may well get there wish, too. Henry’s name has come up often in connection with the Washington Commanders of the NFL. Should he purchase the NFL team, a Liverpool sale is not out of the question.
But until then, Reds fans will just have to live with the current financial reality.