Liverpool fans are furious with owner John Henry over news that the club are unlikely to go after the star player

Liverpool fans are furious with owner John Henry over news that the club are unlikely to go after the star player

Fenway Sports Group, led by billionaire John Henry, has done much to revitalize the reputation of Liverpool Football Club.

Henry and FSG bought the legendary Premier League club in 2010.

Since then, Liverpool have won the league for the first time in 30 years, lifted the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 15 years, lifted the FA Cup and lifted the League Cup.

In general, Liverpool is considered one of the best managed clubs in all of Europe.

But there is a problem. While Henry and FSG certainly have some financial clout, they don’t surpass some of the power clubs in the Premier League. Henry was reluctant to spend money on nouveau riche clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea.

This wasn’t a problem until recently. Liverpool have used smart, analytics-backed recruiting to make signings smarter, not harder. But in the end, money is king. And so we end up back in Monday’s report from David Ornstein of The Athletic.

🚨 From today’s perspective, it’s becoming increasingly unlikely that Liverpool will sign Jude Bellingham this summer. The expected prize and the financial strength of the competitors cast doubt on the hopes of #LFC. Tracking not off and no firm decision 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 are likely to be excluded from the price of a transfer for England star Jude Bellingham, 19, over the summer. Bellingham, a midfielder, played for England in the World Cup and managed to set a record transfer fee. “The 19-times England champion is probably more closely tied than anyone and manager Jürgen Klopp is a great admirer. But the expected fee, the financial clout of rival suitors and their reluctance to get into a bidding war at the expected level, have cast significant doubts on Liverpool’s chances.” — through Atletico Madrid

Liverpool fans weren’t too happy with the message. And now they’re asking Henry to sell the club to someone with more financial clout.

So are we disappointed because we waited an extra year for a player we can’t afford right now?

GET THESE OWNERS OUT OF HERE. https://t.co/ze9bUCEoTU

— 66′ (@Trentslegacy) March 20, 2023

Classic FSG! Promise Liverpool fans to sign next summer, only to go back on their word and give them a disappointing transfer window! Liverpool fans should be FSGOUT! Some are, many are not! https://t.co/ufNd5mH4v7

— CC WINNERS VIBE KJ 🙅🏾‍♂️ (@KJxMilligan) March 20, 2023

He could hear it from a mile away, he knew all too well that Liverpool and FSG would be put off by the £120m valuation for Bellingham. Which therefore makes it much more likely that Liverpool will do EVERYTHING for Mount, which costs exactly half as much. https://t.co/XjmKmmrrSP

— Lecrae (@Lecrae__) March 20, 2023

They can also fulfill their desire. Henry’s name has often been mentioned in connection with the NFL’s Washington Commanders. If he were to buy the NFL team, a sale by Liverpool is not ruled out. But until then, Reds fans will just have to live with the current financial reality.