Fenway Sports Group have never been universally popular with Liverpool fans, but the past 12 years under the American owners have undoubtedly brought major success for the club.
When FSG precursor New England Sports Ventures bought Liverpool for £300million in October 2010 they were in the doldrums. The team, then managed by Roy Hodgson, lay in the Premier League relegation zone having taken six points from their opening seven Premier League games.
David N’Gog was leading the line alongside Dirk Kuyt ahead of Andy Carroll’s arrival in the January transfer window. Jonjo Shelvey and Christian Poulsen were regulars in midfield while the defence was relying on a patchwork of players.
Fast-forward 12 years and FSG have helped fund Jurgen Klopp’s hugely successful seven years at the club. Liverpool have won every trophy available to them, including the Premier League and Champions League, while competing against state-sponsored clubs like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
Klopp has been clear in his views on the subject of the funding of their rivals. "What does Liverpool do? We cannot act like them,” he said last month. "It is not possible. Not possible. It is just clear and again you know the answer. There are three clubs in world football who can do what they want financially. It's legal and everything, fine, but they can do what they want."
Thanks to FSG, Liverpool have managed to keep pace with clubs who have deeper pockets. And unlike their compatriots the Glazers at Manchester United, FSG have not taken a penny out of the club. The founding role in the disastrous attempt to start a European Super League last spring has significantly dented their standing among supporters.
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So while there is bound to be plenty of uncertainty and ill-feeling towards FSG now, despite their assurances that they remain committed to Liverpool, there can be little argument that they have delivered on the promise they made upon taking over the club.
"We regard our role as that of stewards for the club with a primary focus on returning the club to greatness on and off the field for the long-term,” John Henry told reporters in October 2010.
“We are committed first and foremost to winning. We have a history of winning, and we want Liverpool supporters to know that this approach is what we intend to bring to this great club."
FSG did not take over Liverpool out of love for the club. They did so because they are venture capitalists and they spotted a commercial opportunity. Their investment now looks set to deliver them extremely handsome returns, with an asking price of £4bn.
The motives behind FSG’s time at Liverpool can be questioned. The success of their time at Liverpool cannot.
