Liverpool are NOT for sale after huge U-turn by FSG as John Henry makes rare public statement
LIVERPOOL are NOT for sale any more.
Principal owner John W Henry and chairman Tom Werner announced in November they were “exploring a sale” of the Anfield club.
Getty Images – GettyJohn Henry confirmed FSG are no longer selling Liverpool[/caption]
The Anfield club are now worth around £3.7bnReuters
The Reds are valued at around £3.7billion – a massive increase from the £300million FSG bought the club for in 2010.
But despite some reported interest there have been no bids or high-level talks over a sale.
The Qataris were said to be keen to explore a purchase but pulled out when it became clear the Americans were unwilling to give up majority control in any sale – and therefore turned their attention to buying Manchester United.
And now Henry has confirmed Fenway Sports Group’s U-turn to keep hold of the six-time Champions League winners.
FSG, though, are still open to new investment for Liverpool as they hope to attract a ‘strategic partner’, the Liverpool Echo reports.
In a rare public statement, the American said: “I know there has been a lot of conversation and quotes about Liverpool Football Club, but I keep to the facts: we merely formalized an ongoing process.
“Will we be in England forever? No. Are we selling LFC? No. Are talking with investors about LFC? Yes.
“Will something happen there? I believe so, but it won’t be a sale. Have we sold anything in the past 20-plus years?”
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Henry made the comments alongside wife Linda, Werner and FSG CEO Sam Kennedy on the first day of Boston Red Sox training in Florida.
Newcastle and Chelsea have both undergone mega-money takeovers in the last two years, while United look set to follow suit in the coming months.
And Liverpool fans frustrated with FSG’s ownership – despite sustained success on the field in recent years – welcomed the news of their potential sale last year even with Werner’s warnings.
Werner told the Boston Globe: “We’re exploring a sale, but there’s no urgency, no time frame for us.
“And as far as I’m concerned, it’s business as usual. One outcome could be our continued stewardship for quite a while.”
The Reds have become one of the best teams in the world under FSG’s ownershipRex
Jurgen Klopp has worked under their tenure for the last seven yearsPA
