Here is your Liverpool morning digest for Wednesday, January 18.
Liverpool takeover latest as Qatar Investment Authority break silence on plans
The CEO of Qatar Investment Authority, the sovereign wealth fund of the Gulf nation, says that they are looking at investing in football clubs but have not yet made up their mind.
With the World Cup in Qatar now over attention has turned to leveraging the success of the competition and pushing ahead with investment plans in sport, with QIA likely to add sporting assets to their $450bn fund over the course of the next 12 to 18 months.
One of those teams that has been rumoured to be in the sights of QIA is Liverpool, with the Reds owners Fenway Sports Group open to offers for the club for both a full takeover and a minority stake depending on the partner.
READ MORE: Gary Lineker explains sex noise 'sabotage' during BBC live coverage of Wolves vs Liverpool
READ MORE: BBC hit by 'porn noise prank' on live coverage of Wolves vs Liverpool
As things stand there has been no bid lodged for Liverpool Football Club and no high level talks that are close to any kind of conclusion, with sources in the US telling the ECHO that little had changed since November and that there was, as yet, no "real" interest to come forward and engage with FSG around a takeover or investment.
The Telegraph reported on Monday that formal bids could arrive next month, but as things stand there is not an offer for FSG to consider.
But QIA's interest in investing in football has not been a secret, and on the back of Qatar 2022 and it positioning them at the centre of the footballing universe for a month, the pursuit of investment opportunities will be ramped up in 2023.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
BBC issue apology after 'sex prank' as Gary Lineker can't resist naughty joke
The BBC have issued an apology after a prank was pulled during their coverage of Liverpool’s clash against Wolves.
The Reds were playing Wolves in their FA Cup third round replay at Molineux on Tuesday night. Liverpool went into the half-time break 1-0 in front thanks to a long-range strike from Harvey Elliott.
However, before the match a prank was pulled on the BBC’s coverage. Gary Lineker was working as a pundit alongside Paul Ince and Danny Murphy. With around 10 minutes until kick-off, as the trio were talking, they were interrupted by what sounded like pornographic groans.
Lineker carried on regardless, with Alan Shearer later being introduced as a pundit shortly after. The ex-Everton man handled the disruption well though, despite being forced to say: "I don't know who is making that noise."
The BBC have issued an apology to viewers following the prank. The company's press office posted a tweet with an apology.
"We apologise to any viewers offended during the live coverage of the football this evening," the statement read. "We are investigating how this happened.”
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
READ NEXT:
- Liverpool takeover latest as Qatar Investment Authority break silence on plans
- Sir Jim Ratcliffe confirms intent to buy Manchester United after Liverpool takeover stance
- Liverpool have a major problem that just keeps happening - and it's costing them game after game
Liverpool player ratings as Harvey Elliott and three others excellent against Wolves
- Jose Mourinho persuaded 'nasty' striker who called Luis Suarez a b*****d to reject Liverpool transfer
