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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Darren Wells

Pep Lijnders makes clear what he thinks about FSG putting Liverpool up for sale

Pep Lijnders has insisted Fenway Sports Group will always act "in the best interests of the club" after owner John Henry put Liverpool up for sale.

FSG issued a statement on Monday confirming they were open to offers for the Anfield club, which they purchased for £300million in 2010. It is reported FSG have already received one approach from a potential buyer as Forbes valued Liverpool at ¢4.45bn (£3.8bn) with Henry's asking price set at £4bn.

Liverpool's assistant manager Lijnders revealed he and Jurgen Klopp had already been made aware of FSG's intention to release a statement, but was keen to praise the club's current owners and declared it was business as usual.

"Everybody who knows us as a club knows we have a strong relationship with the owners," Lijnders told a press conference on Tuesday. "I always know the owners act in best interests of the club and always have done. The statement was very clear."

"They also tied down our top players," Lijnders, who was speaking in place of Klopp ahead of the Carabao Cup tie vs Derby, continued: "And we have a stable Academy. They have invested in it, and they have invested in this training ground, one of the best in world football. It wasn't easy to leave Melwood. Then there's the Main Stand and the new stand.

"If they weren't good owners we wouldn't be sat here. We have won a lot of cups and a lot of international prizes. Do I feel they are here for the long-term? I think the statement was really clear, to be honest."

John Henry is listening to offers for Liverpool after putting the club up for sale (Michael Regan/UEFA via Getty Images)

What are your thoughts on FSG's decision to sell Liverpool? Have your say in the comments below.

FSG took over Liverpool when the club was in turmoil, rescuing them from the threat of administration following the disastrous regime under George Gillett and Tom Hicks. Since then the American firm has overseen a period of untold success, wherein Liverpool have won every trophy available to them including their first Premier League title and a sixth Champions League crown.

Off the field, FSG have ran a tight ship and have justified their reputation as shrewd businessmen, spending only within the club's means. Appointing Klopp as manager is arguably their finest decision, but there has also been considerable investment in two news stands at Anfield and the new £50m training facility in Kirkby.

Liverpool have also spent big money in the transfer market, despite criticism of FSG for not always showing a willingness to splash the cash. The acquisition of Darwin Nunez in the summer for £85m broke the club record fee, while the top 13 most expensive Liverpool transfers have come during FSG's reign.

The club's owners faced staunch criticism after Henry played a leading role in the failed plot to launch a breakaway European Super League, however, while attempts to raise ticket prices have previously been met with fierce protest from the Liverpool fans.

It is believed the sale of Chelsea to a consortium led by Todd Boehly for an initial £2.5billion in the summer, along with the failed ESL plan, are among the reasons for Henry and FSG choosing to sell up, with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley assisting with any potential deal.

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